The Gospel: Difficult to Accept

The Gospel reveals God’s grace through Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, offering us salvation and challenging our fallen nature which only the Holy Spirit can transform.

The Illusion of Moral Superiority

One of the most significant barriers to embracing the Gospel is the belief that we are not that bad, especially when compared to others. Why would Jesus need to pay for my sin? Why would He have to die so that I can live?

This mindset leads to a false sense of moral superiority, where we measure our righteousness on a horizontal scale, comparing ourselves with our peers, rather than on a vertical one, aligning ourselves with the holiness of God – the perfect holiness of God is the standard.

For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:22 – 25

No one, regardless of their own perceived goodness or moral standard, meets God’s standard of perfection. In God’s eyes, there is ’no distinction’ and ‘all have fallen short’.

Performance Culture vs the Gospel

The Gospel’s core message is a message of radical grace, proclaiming that salvation is not a prize, goal or outcome to be achieved through human striving or moral superiority. Rather, it is a divine gift, freely and undeservedly given to us by a compassionate and merciful God, which is available to all who would choose to receive it, irrespective of their performance or moral standing.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 highlights the contrast between the “wages of sin,” which is death, and the “free gift of God,” which is eternal life through Jesus Christ. By its definition, this gift cannot be earned, no matter our efforts or achievements. Our money, abilities, life status, hard work, religious activities – none hold any weight in receiving the glorious message of Jesus. His redemptive work on the cross stands as the sole and sufficient means, requiring us to embrace it with unwavering faith.

• Are you working for your salvation?
• Are you working for acceptance?
• Do you feel morally superior compared to others?

Christ’s death was enough for all our sins

Consider the Passover in Exodus 12. As the Israelites painted their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, they were participating in a foreshadowing of a greater liberation and deliverance to come. The lamb’s blood shielded them from the angel of death, and prophetically pointed to none other than the Lamb of God Himself, the One who would bear the sins of the entire world and grant us salvation.

As the angel of death passed over the houses of the Egyptians, the Israelite families would have heard weeping and mourning as first born sons began to die. They would have huddled in fear and prayer wondering if the blood of the lamb on the doorpost of their homes would truly be enough to save their sons. Then, they would have heard weeping and mourning in homes beyond their own, and with astonishing realization, their faith was affirmed – the blood of the lamb had indeed proven to be sufficient, and their sons were saved from death.

The Sufficiency of Christ’s Sacrifice

Substitutionary atonement refers to Christ taking upon Himself the punishment that was rightfully ours. We see in Isaiah’s prophecy, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5. Here lies the heart of the Gospel: Christ suffered not for His own sins — for He had none — but for ours. Christ takes on the full weight of humanity’s sin and rebellion, satisfying the righteous demands of a holy God.

 “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.”  Hebrews 9:14. Christ was the sinless, spotless Lamb, making His sacrifice perfectly sufficient to cover our sins. Only a perfect, unblemished sacrifice could suffice to cover the enormity of human sin. In His perfection, Christ fulfills the stringent requirements of the Law, which humanity could never achieve.

The Fulfillment of Old Testament Sacrifices

The Old Testament sacrificial system was a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice to come. These sacrifices, repeated year after year, were never sufficient to fully pay the price for sin. 

10 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:1-4.

By contrast, Christ’s sacrifice is complete and final. By fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, Christ’s death on the cross brings to fruition the long-awaited redemption promised throughout the Old Testament. Through Christ’s atoning work on the cross, justice’s demands are met, and the ancient prophecies are fulfilled. It stands as the singular, unrepeatable act of divine grace, bringing humanity into a new covenant with God of eternal hope and redemption.

The Impact of Christ’s Sacrifice on Believers

For believers, Christ’s sacrifice is completely transformative. It bridges the gap created between humanity and God, and offers reconciliation and the hope of eternal life. Christ’s sacrifice frees believers from the penalty of their sins and gives them the power to live a life that honors God. It is the assurance of God’s love and the basis of our salvation. Embrace that afresh today!

Paul writes, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” Romans 5:9. Our confidence does not rest in our works, but in His. And this confidence is sealed with the promise of eternal life, as Jesus Himself declares, “16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

Resource List

Books

Stott, J.R.W., 2006. The Cross of Christ. 20th ed. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press.

-A comprehensive guide to understanding the significance of the cross in Christian theology.

Piper, J., 2011. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books.

-This book explores the reasons behind Christ’s crucifixion, providing deep insights into its purpose and meaning. (Download free)

Keller, T., 2008. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton.

-Keller offers thoughtful answers to common doubts and questions regarding Christian faith, including the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice.

Wright, N.T., 2003. The Resurrection of the Son of God. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

-An in-depth exploration of the historical and theological significance of the resurrection of Jesus.

Videos

The Bible Project, 2018. Sacrifice and Atonement. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_OlRWGLdnwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_OlRWGLdnw [Accessed 27 Jan. 2024].

-An animated overview of the concept of sacrifice and atonement in the Bible, providing a visually engaging explanation of these themes.