The Gospel Part 3
The Gospel is salvation by God’s grace, not by the good works of man
The day after Jesus fed the five thousand, multitudes followed him to Capernaum, expecting to receive more sandwiches. A major question that they asked which stood out was, “………What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” (John 6:28) KJV
And this was the answer Jesus gave in response to their question “…This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:29) NLT
Why did Jesus answer them this way? This is because we are saved by grace through faith. And this faith that leads to salvation is the unmerited gift of God, it is not a product of our own works of righteousness that we should boast and take credit for it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Our own works of righteousness cannot save us; even the children of Israel who were under the law, could not be saved by their multiple offerings and sacrifices. Their sacrifices were pointers to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the perfect Lamb of God who alone is able to forgive and take away sin. So they had to put their faith not in their sacrifices but in Christ for their own salvation too.
The Pharisees and scribes, who were acted self-righteously, questioned the fact that Jesus Christ walked and ate with tax collectors and other sinners. “When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (Mark 2:17) NLT
Jesus also spoke a parable concerning those that trust in their own righteousness and despised others. He told a parable of a Pharisee who went into the temple and prayed saying “…I thank you, God, that I am not like other people; cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.” (Luke 18:11-12) NLT
On the other hand the tax collector stood far off, having not even the confidence to lift up his eyes to God ,he beat his chest in sorrow and prayed this one line “…‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’” (Luke 18:13) NLT
In Christ’s own words the humble tax collector went home justified before God and not the proud Pharisee.
In the book of Acts , we encounter Cornelius the Roman captain . He was a man who feared God and prayed always with his family, he was a great philanthropist. But despite these impressive credentials, he was still not saved. It took the preaching of the gospel through Peter to get Cornelius and all his household saved. Faith had to be built up in them by the hearing of the word. (Acts 10:1-48)
“he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5) NLT
For Further Study Read;
Micah 6:6-9 sacrifices without repentance are worthless before God.
Acts 16:13-15 Lydia, a prayerful woman, was saved only at the hearing of the gospel.
Psalm 51:16-17
Psalm 40:6-7
Isaiah 64:6