The Gospel Truth

When I sin I’m like Adam or Peter. I run away from God or tell him to leave me alone.

At those moments I don’t feel holy. So I don’t want to be around the Holy One. I know what I’ve done and I know there should be consequences for my actions. I don’t think I should be forgiven, even though I know God wants to forgive me.

And that’s the point Jesus made when he said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!” (Mark 1: 15, HCSB)

Mark tells us that Jesus came preaching the good news. But when I’ve been bad, I don’t think I deserve to hear any good news. I expect at the very least to be scolded. I know I should be punished.

But Jesus died so that God wouldn’t have to punish me—or you.

Three times in the King James Version of the New Testament the word propitiation is used to describe the Messiah’s atonement. Other versions use various words, but the concept of one person dying for another is hard to grasp. But here’s a simple definition: the death of the innocent, on behalf of the guilty, to satisfy the wrath of the just.

Yes, we should be forever separated from God. But we won’t be if we accept the good news—that Jesus took our place and our punishment.

And that’s the gospel truth that leads us to genuine repentance.