Written By: Andrew Wommack
Have you ever wondered what the Gospel truly means beyond the common messages of repentance and judgment? While these things are true, there’s a radical perspective on the Gospel that’s not heard as often.
The word gospel basically means “good news” in Greek, but there’s something incredible hidden in this word. In Greek literature, gospel means more than just “good news.” It means the news is so amazing, it’s almost too good to be true. This should change the way you understand the Gospel.
The standard message in many churches today is that you have to be good to earn God’s favor, but this is not what the Bible teaches. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death, but it’s followed by the message that eternal life is a gift from God. It’s not something we can earn.
Sad to say, the Gospel isn’t being preached the way it should be. Most Christians say, “Well, yeah, Jesus bore our sins to a degree, but we also have to stop doing all these things or God won’t bless us, use us, or answer our prayers.” I’ve often heard people say things like, “God won’t use a dirty vessel.” God hasn’t got any other kind of vessel to use!
Prior to Jesus’ coming, there was wrath from God against man for sins. It wasn’t total wrath. Even in the Old Testament, we see God’s mercy and grace. Yet the Old Testament Law was a ministry of wrath (Rom. 4:15 and 2 Cor. 3:7), and people’s sins were held against them. But when Jesus came, God quit holding people’s sins against them. This is exactly what 2 Corinthians 5:19 and 21 says:
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. . . . For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The word “reconciliation” is talking about making peace. God was no longer holding us accountable. Instead, He imputed our sins to Jesus, making Jesus accountable for our sins. Jesus became what we were so that we could become what He was—the righteousness of God.
Jesus was like a lightning rod that drew all the judgment of God unto Himself (John 12:32). He not only bore our sins; He actually became sin (2 Cor. 5:21).
None of your past, present, or even future sins can separate you from God. The only people who will go to hell are those who have spurned and rejected His unspeakable gift. In heaven, you won’t answer for your sin; Jesus already has. You will answer for your acceptance or rejection of Jesus.
You might ask, “Well, if God isn’t judging me for sin, why live holy?” That’s a good question. To answer it, read what Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans:
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Romans 6:16
If you yield to Satan through sin, you open the door for him to destroy your life through sickness, poverty, relationship issues, emotional problems, and all kinds of things. It won’t be because God is out to get you; He loves you. It’s just that sin gives Satan an inroad into your life. So, continuing to sin is just stupid (Rom. 6:1–2).
I’m telling you, if you would understand the goodness of God and how much He’s forgiven you, you would serve Him more accidentally than you ever have on purpose before. So, the next time you hear the word gospel, remember that it’s more than just good news; it’s nearly-too-good-to-be-true news. The war is over!
If you enjoyed this, visit my website at awmi.net, where you’ll find additional free teachings and resources. If you need prayer, I encourage you to call my Helpline at 719-635-1111, where one of my trained prayer ministers would love to pray with you.
We love you,
Andrew and Jamie Wommack
