“Something that has or can have both favorable and unfavorable consequences”-Merriam-Webster Definition
The Gospel
The gospel of Jesus Christ is life unto those who have faith in Him. His life death and resurrection is all we have. Judgement is awaiting those who reject this good news. The Gospel is a double-edged sword. Those who bear it will suffer in this lifetime for the sake of Jesus Christ. You become a target to those who hate Jesus Christ but in light of this let us consider what we will gain. This present suffering is but a drop of water and eternity which is the now and later is an ocean.
Gains
What you gain when your faith is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is salvation. You become right in the eyes of our Heavenly Father on the behalf of what Jesus Christ Has done. You receive life and life abundantly. This means life in this present lifetime and the next to come. A heavenly home is being prepared for you by Jesus Christ. He is with you in the suffering and glory. He will never leave nor forsake you.
Loss
The rejection of God’s gift to you which is His Son will not end well with you. The wrath of God remains on you. Unfavorably judgement and hell await those who want nothing to do with Jesus Christ. This is eternity without God. No life, no joy, no hope. Enraptured in darkness and left in the grasp of pain and suffering.
Not By Accident
Nobody ends up in either place by accident. We have a choice to make. Life eternal with God in Heaven or Death in Hell. The Gospel is the double-edged sword favorable and unfavorable. It is the message of hope and judgement.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 1:27–29.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Ti 1:8–10.
10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Ti 2:10–13.
- Stewardship: Maintenance Required
- God’s Will Over Position
- Doubt: The Enemy of Faith
- Trials: Gain In Hardship
- Brotherly Love:How we relate in the body of Jesus Christ
Eternal Imprint 