Christ instructed the Disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” in Mark 16:15. There is but one gospel Jesus would have us preach according to Galatians 1:6-10. It is imperative that we get the gospel right (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
The New Testament gives us some direction in Galatians 3:24 concerning where to begin. The Law of Moses is pointing us to Christ, to faith in Christ. Faith in Christ is according to GOD’S eternal purpose (Ephesians 1:3-6).
In order to understand the gospel, we must first understand GOD. GOD is holy (Leviticus 19:2). He is set apart from sin, pure. He is “wholly other.” His holiness is made known to us in mainly two ways: justice and love (Psalm 33:4-5). Because of His holiness, what punishments He pronounces must be executed. And yet, because He loves His creation, He longs to make provision to help us out of predicaments caused by His justice.
Because GOD is holy, He longs for His people to be holy (Leviticus 20:26). Sanctification is the process of making holy, or removing sin. It is only when one is without sin that spiritual fellowship can exist (Isaiah 59:2).
Sin is transgression of GOD’S law which is a reflection of GOD’S character and will (1 John 3:4). Sin results in spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1). All have sinned (Romans 3:23). Because of sin, we die spiritually and mortally (Genesis 3:19). The price of sin is life (Hebrews 9:22). GOD’S justice demands death as payment. The punishment fits the crime because of the holiness of GOD.
So man is in a miserable situation. An unholy people separated from a holy GOD. Is there any hope? Thanks be to GOD, yes! GOD’S love provides a way to pay the price. GOD gives us what we do not deserve—Life! This is grace. GOD does not give us what we deserve—death! This is mercy. Forgiveness is all wrapped up in the idea of atonement.
To atone is to cover, to cover over, to purge. Atonement is the mechanism of reconciliation between a holy GOD and an unholy people (Leviticus 16:30). Atonement is offered in the Old Testament by the blood of animals. The animal’s life was represented by its blood and the animal’s sacrifice represented the sinner (Leviticus 17:11). Life makes atonement. The blood of the animal represents life, the innocent life of the animal atones for the sinner, the innocent life represents the guilty life. Faith made this process of atonement work. GOD accepted the sacrifices when they were offered by faith.
The sacrificial system of the Old Testament is fulfilled in the one sacrifice of Christ Jesus. By His blood we are redeemed. Redemption comes when one obeys the gospel of Christ by faith. In baptism (immersion in water), one dies with Christ, his sins are washed away by the blood of Christ, and judgment is declared: innocent by the blood of the Lamb!
Jason Cicero
