Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 18
March 9, 1967
NUMBER 43, PAGE 10b-11a

The Glory Of The Gospel

Jere E. Frost

The gospel, that incomparable system of faith revealed in the New Testament, is the most sublime and glorious system ever considered by the mind of mortal man. The beauty of it can be seen by a child, and its ever increasing glory can enthrall the mind and heart of a manly man.

Just what makes this gospel so glorious? Everything! -- its heavenly origin, spiritual nature, wise design, sublime message, saving power, regenerating effect, illuminating truth, inerrant content and infallible character. Let us humbly and thankfully meditate for a moment upon (1) what it is, (2) what it does, and (3) the joy it excites.

What it is: The gospel is the "good news" of the life and the teaching of Jesus. It is therefore the greatest and most thrilling love story ever told, that of an only son sent by a loving Father to die for a lost race of men. How tender and descriptive the words of the prophet: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed...and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5, 6). By the power of his death he would woo and win our hearts: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32.) This drawing is done by the teaching of the gospel -- its facts, precepts and exceeding great and precious promises -- this is God's redemptive scheme! What glorious love! Here we stand, hopeless and hapless, but God sends his son, reveals his will, and offers us life on the terms of the gospel. As saith the poet:

How thou canst love us as thou dost, And be the God thou art,

Is darkness to my intellect, But sunshine to my heart.

What it does: The comparisons it defies and the benefits it offers are astounding and thrilling. Consider these distinctive qualities. (1) It completely overshadows the law of Moses, which glory was so great that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look on the face of Moses. "Yet it had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth," which was the glory of the gospel! (2 Cor. 3:10,11.) (2) It is God's light in the world by which he is revealed in all his glory and wisdom to man; it expressly contains the righteousness of God, that is, the revelation of God's standard of righteousness. (2 Cor. 4:4-6; Rom. 1:17.) (3) It purifies the soul. "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth... Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God... And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (I Peter 1:22-25.) (4) It saves. "For I am ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." (Rom. 1:16.) (5) It transforms men, both in their relationship to God and personal character. By the gospel we are called unto him and our relationship is changed; by renewing our minds we become like Him. "Whereunto he called you by our gospel..." "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. "Yes, we "are changed into the same image from glory unto glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Thess. 2:14; Col.3:10; 2 Cor. 3:18.) (6) It is the standard of judgment. "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." (Rom. 2:16.)

The joy it excites: The gospel of Christ is not earth-bound. It brought great joy to the honest mortals who laid hold upon its assurance of redemption and everlasting life in the presence of God. Gladness and rejoicing radiated from the early converts, as witness the Pentecostians, Ethiopian eunuch and Philippian jailor. (Acts 2:46; 8:39; 16:34.) Its joy was brightened instead of diminished by threats and persecutions unleashed against the hopeful believers. (Acts 4:17-30; 2 Cor. 4:17; Jas.1:2.) So glorious is the salvation from sin and death that even the angels desired to see it and prophets wondered about it. "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently... now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you... which things the angels desire to look into." (I Pet. 1:10-12.)

A little excitement and enthusiasm on our part should seem natural.