The Gospel or "good news" about Christ and salvation is not about what He is doing. The Gospel is about what Christ has done. The Gospel comes as an announcement to God's people that those who believe this message are already part of of God's kingdom. Those that believe were justified by Christ over 2000 years ago on the cross.

Jn 19:28, (KJV), After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Jn 19:30, (KJV), When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Heb 9:12, (KJV), Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

1 Cor 15:3-4, (KJV), For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

     That's all there is to it! It's a simple message and comes as "glad tidings" (Rom 10:15 ) to God's chosen vessels of mercy (Rom 9:23 ). Believers look back to the cross of Christ for all of their salvation and nothing else. They do not look to any experience or any other event in their lives.

     The Apostle Paul warned against anti-christs that would come and pervert this message with false gospels and was even fighting these awful messages during his ministry. Today, the warning of anti-christ has been realized and there are many false gospels. There are generally two prevailing characteristics amongst these false gospels. First, they all use "Gospel language". Second, they all point to a real benefit of the cross as the basis of salvation. For example, one of the benefits of Christ's death is the precious gift of faith which is given to Christ's people for their assurance. It is how they come to rely and know of Christ's atonement for them. But many people have made it the basis for salvation. Phrases such as: "you must be born again", "you have to have faith", "God loves you and wants to save you", and "accept Christ as your personal savior" are generally dead giveaways that the person using this language is promoting a false gospel.

     We must be on guard against confusing our experiences with the message of Christ. It is true that we must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God , but that is not the Gospel. Being born again is a result of Christ's accomplished salvation - not the cause of it.

     I for one take great joy in knowing that salvation is entirely outside of me and rejoice in the alien righteousness of my Lord Jesus Christ. I am content to know that His righteousness is mine simply by God's Sovereign Grace. This truly is good news.