Welcome to Hank’s Place –
Here at Hank’s Place we keep the Gospel simple — for a simple reason: because it is!
For God so loved the world – that HE gave – His only Son – that whoever – believes in Him – should not perish – but have eternal LIFE. John 3:16. Simple. Revealing. Incredibly profound.
The preceding 2 verses add to this. In them John tells us that the Son had to be, “must be” he says, crucified (shudder) – that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.
Believe in Him? Believe in Him just what, exactly? Well, Jesus IS the Son of God for one thing. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 explains that Christ died for us, was buried, raised up on the 3rd day – all in accordance with the Biblical prophecies.
In 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 Paul declares Christ was raised – the first fruits of ALL who will be raised from the dead. We too shall rise from the dead, you see. Good News! And there will be a final judgment when even death and hell will come to an end in the Lake of Fire – wait – I’m getting ahead of myself in the Gospel’s simplicity, sorry, but it so encouraging to know that the end of wickedness is foretold – by God – so it is a sure thing.
The Gospel – the Good News – has a focus: JESUS CHRIST. The Gospel is not about us — it is all about Him. Religion has a different focus: us. What we must do to make ourselves acceptable to God. Religion says, “Clean up your act in order to be accepted.” NOT Good News.
I believe the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:30 was thinking along these lines when he fell before Paul and Silas and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul got him straightened out quickly. “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Good News.
Don’t be fooled my friend. The Gospel is about Jesus. Pilgrimage? No. Your ‘paying the price?’ No. Jesus did. Your life reformation? No. Baptism? No. Convert to Judaism first? No. The mystery of the Gospel is that it is for everyone. Without reservation. Without pedigree. Believe in Jesus Christ – and He will come to dwell within you and make all things NEW.
Way back when I was a young Christian, during what was called the Charismatic Movement (“Charis” means GRACE by the way), we would sing a simple little song, “There is Power in the Blood” – referring to Jesus’ life given up as a sacrifice for us. It went, “Would you be free from your burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.” Jesus’ life given for us. “Would you o’re evil a victory win? There’s wonderful power in the blood. There is power, power, wonder working power in blood, of the Lamb. Repeat. Simple. True. Like the Gospel.
Today, consider the precious blood of the Lamb – and its power. You’ll — COME ALIVE!
NEW BLOG NOTIFICATION
Be notified when a new blog posts