Do you have a clear understanding of the Gospel of Peace?
Though there are a number of names for the gospel, there is only one means of salvation. What is salvation? Salvation is the deliverance of one’s soul from the consequence of sin. It cannot be attained on one’s own, for we are all tainted by sin. The point of salvation is the restoration of our relationship with the Creator, God. A reunion with Father and the resulting relationship, as modeled by Jesus, is the goal of the believer that seeks God.
Jesus made it very clear that salvation is only through Himself. There is no other way.
Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6 KJV
The only way to regain the personal relationship with Father is to surrender oneself to Jesus Christ. It is through His sacrifice that we are delivered from the curse of sin and death.
Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom, also known in the four written gospels as the gospel, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. After the ascension of Jesus Christ, the apostles and disciples took the gospel to the world. It is referred to as the gospel, the gospel of Christ, the gospel of grace, the gospel of God, the gospel of your salvation, the gospel of our Lord, and the gospel of peace.
Gospel means good news. The good news of the kingdom, of Christ, and of God, is the good news of peace. God is at peace with man.
Most people are aware of, if not familiar with, John 3:16. We learn of God’s love for us. His love is so great for us that He gave His only Son to pay a debt that He did not owe for a debt we cannot pay. God did this so we may enjoy everlasting life with Him.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 KJV
But how many people look beyond it to verse 17 and the explanation of peace in the process. Our adversary, the devil, lies to us, trying to deceive us into thinking that God is angry and full of wrath, looking to judge us with condemnation, seeking to punish us.
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3:17 KJV
God is not looking to judge us with condemnation. He is seeking to deliver us from the penalty that our sinfulness demands. Our part is to believe and receive His promises by faith. One part of faith is to believe that God will do what He says He will do. When God states the way something is or works, we need to believe that it is exactly what God says it is. If we cannot, for whatever reason believe Him, and take Him at His word, then we lack faith and miss out on the opportunity or promise. This is pointed out in verse 18.
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:18 KJV
Most often it is our pride that prevents us from taking God at His word and simply believing the promises He sets forth for our sake. At times the religious may try to add other requirements or rituals to the simplicity of belief. We must stay true to scripture and what God teaches us and resist the traditions of man as being requirements in the things of God.
A further explanation of the work of Christ is given in John’s first epistle.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8b KJV
There is further clarification in Psalm 107 as He sets the captives free and breaks the chains of bondage.
Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
Psalms 107:13-14 KJV
This is the deliverance and setting free of captives; a source of hope. This is not condemnation, but an invitation to everlasting life from the Creator of all life. This is the good news of everlasting life, a life of peace with our Creator, just as it was for Adam and Eve before they fell to temptation and sin. All we need to do is to believe and confess the truth: we are sinners in need of a savior and Jesus Christ is that Savior who has come to deliver us from the penalty for our sinfulness.
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:8-13 KJV
Paul instructs us, in the sixth chapter of Ephesians, concerning the armor of God. A portion of the teaching mentions the gospel of peace.
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Ephesians 6:15 KJV
What is the readiness given by the gospel of peace, or the preparation of the gospel of peace? The gospel of peace provides for our existence at peace with God. Being at peace with God, we are prepared and enthused to share the good news of that peace with others. For the believer is an ambassador of Christ, therefore the believer brings the word or message of Christ; the gospel of peace. We are to stand firm on this message, and we are on firm footing as we are in agreement with the Lord who sends us out. Our trust and faith are in Christ, and we can faithfully deliver the message to all who will hear it. Taking on the armor of God is to clothe oneself in Christ. These are the shoes of the disciples of Christ Jesus; taking upon themselves the message and ministry of their Master.
In this we live by the law of liberty.
The Gospel of Peace
The Gospel of Peace states that God is at peace with mankind. Jesus Christ, God become flesh, came from heaven to earth, not to judge the world, but that through His sacrifice on the cross, the shedding of His blood, He came to offer forgiveness to those who believe.
The simplicity of the gospel is that Jesus died for the forgiveness of sin, the salvation and everlasting life for the soul, and the restoration of a personal, intimate relationship with God. Jesus came to set the captives free from the bondage of sin, destroying the works of the devil in the world and our lives.
Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sin and was raised from the dead, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you will be saved. God knows your heart, and will not turn away an honest cry out to Him for mercy and grace.