Words will always fall short when we try to properly describe the greatness of knowing and experiencing the love of God in Jesus Christ. Yet I want to try because the incredible truths of the gospel are life-changing and we need to be reminded often of why Jesus alone deserves all of our praise, all of our love, our whole lives.

This is of first importance: Jesus died for our sins and rose again 3 days later, just as the scriptures declared so long ago. He was pierced and crushed because of our rebellion and unbelief. It is because Jesus experienced the punishment and wrath of God we fully earned through our many sins, we can experience full forgiveness all the days of our lives. Even the best of human efforts could never take away the guilt of all of our failures to love God as He deserves and to love our neighbor as ourself. If we are honest with ourselves, we know our heart is continually filled with selfish, lustful, bitter, unkind and prideful thoughts. We often flee the illumination of the Holy Spirit, knowing our heart will be stained and dark.

In every way, Jesus fulfilled the demands of righteousness perfectly. When we refused to obey the commands of God, Jesus willingly submitted Himself to the Father’s will even when that meant death on the cross. Jesus was tempted in every way we are, yet He remained without sin.

The glorious beauty of the gospel is this: everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Those who believe in their heart that Christ died and rose again will have eternal life. They will experience the greatest blessing of knowing all their sin is forgiven. We will know the boundless love of Christ and the freedom His blood brought to us. When we return to the Lord, He will show us compassion and unending mercy. Because Jesus gives us eternal life, we will never perish and no one will be able to snatch us from His hand. 

The gospel allows us to walk in the newness of life. Jesus is the founder and perfector of our faith; He transforms our lives and will continue to do so until we see Jesus face-to-face. The grace of God will sustain us as we become more like Jesus each day. The peace found in Christ will strengthen us as we experience the troubles of this world. Through the resurrection of Jesus we have been given a living hope for this life and for all of eternity.

For those who haven’t yet come to a saving knowledge of Christ, I pray that the Lord will open your eyes to your desperate need and the absolute beauty of Jesus. For those of us who do know and love Jesus, I pray we would never be ashamed of the gospel or tire of telling others of the beauty of Jesus.