New Life Farm, South Carolina

What is the GOSPEL?

The word gospel comes from the Old English gōdspel which means good news. It is a translation of the Greek “evangelium”. So, what is this good news?

Many people believe you have to live a very good life, although they know they haven't. Then when you die you have to take your chances because you cannot know in this life if you will make it, indeed you cannot even know if God exists. Part of the good news is that none of this is true.

This would be bad news, but is widely believed

1. You have to live a good life to be accepted by God and earn your way into heaven.
2. You cannot know if God has accepted you in this life.

This is the good news.

1. God accepts you first and then empowers you to live a good life.
2. You know you are accepted when God transforms you by His Holy Spirit.

God requires payment for our sin, but he paid it Himself through the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus. He did this because of His great love for us. But we must ask for His forgiveness and accept this gift. When we do this, he transforms us. If you want help in this process, take one of the brown New Testaments and look inside the back cover.

This good news has been celebrated by literally millions in verse and song. See examples below.

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

by Stuart Townend

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Were It Not For Grace

Words and Music by David Hamilton and Phill McHugh Sung by Larnelle Harris

Time measured out my days, life carried me along
In my soul I yearned to follow God but knew I'd never be so strong
I looked hard at this world to learn how Heaven could be gained
Just to end where I began, where human effort is all in vain

Were it not for grace, I can tell you where I'd be
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere
With my salvation up to me, I know how that would go
The battles I would face forever running but losing the race
Were it not for grace

So here is all my praise expressed with all my heart
Offered to the Friend who took my place and ran a course I could not start
And when He saw in full just how much His love would cost
He still went the final mile between me and Heaven so I would not be lost

Were it not for grace, I can tell you where I'd be
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere
With my salvation up to me and I know how that would go
The battles I would face forever running but losing the race
Were it not for grace
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace