In today's world, so many things are changing at a fast pace. As a child I could remember my dad had a radio box in our sitting room called a radiogram. It was a privilege having one of those in your house. A couple of years later, he bought a stereo set  which had a turn-table which played those black shiny record disks. Then came CDs and DVDs. Today, we stream music via the internet or wirelessly via Media servers.

 

In the area of technology, there have been tremendous changes in the design and use of computers.  In the 60's only a few Companies could afford to buy computers but today, millions of households all over the world have personal computers. Apart from that, a lot of tasks hitherto being handled by human beings are now being done more speedily and accurately with the aid of computers.



I could go on and on to describe changes that have occurred in the last 40 years or so and I would write pages and yet there will still be more details unwritten than I could ever write. Just name it; Fashion, food, transportation, architecture, education, games, the list is endless.

 

There is however something that has stood the test of time. It is the Gospel. Yes, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ has not changed. It has the same message, the same flavour which has survived the centuries. What indeed is the gospel? The root word "Godspell" means "Good News"

 

The Nelson Illustrated dictionary defines the gospel as "the joyous good news of salvation in Jesus Christ". The Greek word translated as "gospel" means "a reward for bringing good news" or simply "good news".

In Isaiah 40:9, the prophet proclaimed the "good tidings" that God would rescue His people from captivity. In His famous sermon at the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1 to characterize the spirit of His ministry: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel [good news] to the poor" (Luke 4:18).

What are the features of this good news?

It acknowledges the sinfulness of man, his gradual progress to destruction and his inability to avert his fate. "But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!" Ps 14:3, Rom 3:10.

God’s love in offering a very costly sacrifice to save mankind. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” John 3:16 & 17. Now, if that isn’t good news, I wonder what else is! It is the greatest news of the ages. Sadly though a lot of people are heading steadily to hell and destruction because they do not accept this good news.

 

Salvation is by grace through faith. Paul says concerning his preaching of the gospel “For preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t do it!” 1 Cor 9:16. Paul knew that he was saved by grace and not by his good deeds or efforts, so there was no reason for him or anyone to boast about it.” For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” Eph 2:8 & 9.

 

Because we have believed the gospel, we are given the power (or authority) to become the sons of God. Jn 1:12.

 

Because we are sons, we are made heirs and joint heir with Christ Jesus. Do you know what this means? It means that you have a claim to part of what God has given to Jesus. You have a claim to the kingdom of God. This is awesome!

 

“For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory”  Rom 8:16 & 17.

 

There is more! Because we are God’s children, we have access to the throne of grace. I can just picture my child jumping into my laps and wrapping his tiny arms around me. I feel love inside of me when he does that. Why? Because there is a relationship between us! Many Christians miss out on God’s grace because they do not come to him.

 

We are lifted far above principalities. I asked a friend of mine a question once and his reply got me laughing but within that answer was a nugget of truth. I asked him how far he had gone on a particular project. He replied, “Far above principalities and powers!”

That is where you are, dear friend. You don’t have any business fighting with demonic oppression, every day of your life,  you are far above them! Eph 1:20-22.

 

No matter what has changed in the affairs of this world, the gospel remains the same and God’s heart is still open to anyone who is willing to accept His love which He offered to us from the beginning of time.

 

Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the founder of  the Biblepraise Fellowship Online at  http://www.biblepraise.org. He lives in Kent, United Kingdom, where he works as an IT Professional. He currently serves as a Worship Leader, Home Group Leader and Bible Teacher  in his local church. He also speaks at invited events. He can be reached through His email address,  steve@biblepraise.org