Four Pillars Of The Gospel

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1

Dear Ones:

Throughout the Old Testament, and certainly into the New Testament, much is said about the “good news” of the Gospel.  It is news that is GOOD, because every aspect of it is a provision of God for the eternal blessing of man.  The underlying assumption of the Gospel is that man is lost, without God, and in need of One who can truly, and eternally, save him.  He is SO lost that he must be redeemed, purchased at a great price which only God has known.  The amazing thing is that man, in his lost condition, does not realize that he is dead in his sins, spiritually blind, and incapable in and of himself to seek his Creator, and potential Redeemer.  It is at this point in the painting of this portrait of such a dire scene and circumstance, that there is a bright beam which begins to shine on the canvas.  It is a light of hope, one that is pure in motive, all-powerful and authoritative in its capacity to give life where there is none, and to lift up from the dust, helpless and hopeless man.  The good news of the Gospel, possessing a saving power, is that heavenly-conceived message concerning a Hope that is sure, forgiveness and cleansing that is entire, and a new life given by a new and everlasting power, that of Christ by His Spirit.  In the truths of this gospel are found God’s pathways by which all of the needs of sinful man are met, not only so that God can forgive and redeem him, but that a relationship can be established between the saved sinner, and the holy God.  Right in the middle, between that which is lost, and the Only One willing to seek him, is a cross.  It is this cross which not only speaks to us of a work that Christ did to pay the debt in full for the sins of man, but declares also an irrevocable love, and power, which breaks the domination of sin in the life, and saves  from Satan’s slavery.  Each pillar, and provision of God, in the Gospel, addresses a specific need of man.

The first pillar is that of sins forgiven by a debt paid.  It was when the Father “laid on Him (the Lord Jesus) the iniquity of us all,” and the storm of judgement for that sin broke upon the son of God, that the irrevocable word came forth:  “It is finished.”  The worth of the sacrifice of the Son was so great to the Father, that only the sight of Christ’s precious blood shed on Calvary, could, and would, divert the judgement that was due every man.

The second pillar is that of the burial of the sinner.  When Christ died, the believer died in Him, and was buried.  Every trace of what Scripture calls, “the old man,” was buried with Christ, never to be resurrected.  The “old man” represented all that was not of God, of Christ, in the sinner.  God in Christ would not only deal with the legal penalty and judgement for sin, but would eradicate sin by burying it all from the sight, even memory of God.

The third pillar of the Gospel has to do with the miracle of the resurrection from the dead of Christ, but also, the sinner. The salvation of God goes far beyond forgiveness, and the removal of sin, though essential.  It speaks of a Power given, Life by the Spirit of Christ, by which the sinner, though he remain a sinner, comes to know the power of a new, overcoming and victorious life.

Lastly, the fourth pillar is that of a change of position.  Originally, man was “in Adam,” lost, without hope, under the wrath of God. God in His mercy, by placing the believer IN CHRIST,  has raised him up, complete in Christ, and is not seated in Christ, at the right hand of God.

Dear Father, Give us grace to live by faith in fullest measure, according to this glorious gospel.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Love, Dad