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The gospel is the good news of what Jesus Christ has done for us and what He can do in and through us because of His finished work. Another important component of the gospel points to the fallen condition of man, which highlights our need of Jesus Christ.
Many Christians think of the gospel as simply a feel-good message, meant to show just how special we are, and in many ways the gospel is that. But what many of us forget that the gospel is also an offensive message that points to just how worthless and helpless we once were in our sin. Without Christ's intervention, we would have never been able to save ourselves.
In what ways is the gospel offensive to everyone who hears it, and how are we changed by such realizations? From Romans 6:26, we can derive three truths that can hurt but also transform us:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (NASB).
The gospel tells us that we are wretches
The gospel can offend us because it reveals how complexly wretched we are and how we cannot stand on our own. The truth tells us that, apart from Christ, we are nothing—and that hurts. Romans 6:23a tells us, "For the wages of sin is death..." (NASB). In our sins, we have become wretches that deserve nothing but eternal separation from God.
Why can't we just admit that we're prideful, hypocritical, terrible parents, bad Christians, liars, out of shape, broke, or any wretched state we are in? Because it involves actually admitting that it's true. We are some or even all of these things, and it hurts.
The gospel tells us we are accountable
The truth scares us because it reminds us that we are accountable. Our wrong actions, our words, and our decisions have led to failures and mistakes, and we have to own up to it and pay the consequences.
Romans 6:26a tells us again "For the wages of sin is death..." (NASB). We all have a wage—a debt—an accountability that must be met. Because we're too ashamed to admit that what we have done actually cost someone something, the gospel offends us, and it should.
The gospel tells us we're freeloaders
Probably the most insulting thing to us is to be told we made a mistake, we had to pay for it, but someone already paid it for us. Someone took the initiative; we did not have to pay for our sins. That someone was Jesus. Romans 6:23b states, "...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (NASB).
The fact that we are forgiven in Christ is both glorious news and a big slap on our face; it tells us we could not and cannot save ourselves. But, as offensive as it may sound, nothing could be greater news for us. That's why it's called good news.
