In the thick of ministry action it’s easy to forget the very core of all that we do: the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is to be the heart of our thoughts, our motives, our relationships, and our plans. Too often when we hear “gospel” we think “evangelism” or “outreach.” Of course evangelism and outreach cannot exist without the gospel, but the gospel applies to far more than conversion. Why did Paul talk about the gospel repeatedly? Why did it not only consume his ministry but his heart, his passions, and even his sufferings as he says in 2 Corinthians 1:5: “The sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance”? Because Paul knew that every single breath, action, and ministry endeavor is impossible apart from the cross where Jesus Christ suffered the wrath of God in our place. It’s no wonder he called himself “the prisoner of the Lord” (Eph 4:1).  

As Tim Keller rightly noted in his sermon at the latest Desiring God conference (Fall of 2006), we say we believe in the gospel but we don’t really understand it. We herald justification by faith alone but constantly find our justification in our vibrant small group, excellence in worship leading, clarity in teaching, or even our church attendance. Dr. Martyn-Lloyd Jones had it right when he said that we must re-discover the wonder of the gospel. And what is that wonder? That God accepts me based on not a single good deed I have done, but solely because of the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ.

This is why the gospel is every bit as relevant to the Christian of 60 years as it is to the 2 day old believer. When you sin, where do you find forgiveness? At the cross. When you are tempted to lust where do you find strength to turn away? At the cross. When you feel utterly inadequate, where do you find renewal? Yes again—at the cross.

When we acknowledge our complete nothingness apart from the cross of Jesus Christ, then we have begun to grasp the wonder of the gospel, and then we can start living the way God wants us to live.

Are you looking for freedom from an enslaving sin? Are you searching for true contentment even when hell breaks loose all around you? Do you hunger a life lived with purpose, meaning, and joy? You’ll find it in one place: the cross. That is the wonder of the gospel.