This little study falls loosely into two sections: (1) saved by the gospel and (2) transformed by the gospel. From my ministry to legalistic groups over the past 25 years I sense there is a great need to make the gospel of Christ crystal clear. Even in some evangelical churches the gospel is sometimes fuzzy or even misunderstood. We need to know for sure what we trust for our eternal life is the true saving gospel that was once for all delivered to the saints.
A second need for a correct understanding of the gospel is that when accurately defined the gospel itself will point out hidden errors that may be lurking unseen in the shadows of our belief system. Think of the gospel as a brilliant diamond. The glory emanating from the cross of Calvary is refracted by each of the theological words of the gospel: righteousness, justification, redemption, propitiation, reconciliation, substitution, and representation. Each flashes a fire of a different color. Studied together, they reflect the glorious rainbow of God’s love, mercy, and grace. Like a searching laser each facet will highlight truth and expose error.
A third reason the gospel needs clarity is that when rightly understood and applied it will transform the life. There are many unanswered questions about how the truth of the gospel actually transforms the life of a Christian. Many suggest some kind of behavior modification needs to be made before a person can rest assured that he has truly been born again. Therefore many well-meaning disciplers will direct new or even seasoned Christians to a list of disciplines—things to do or not do—designed to bring maturity into the Christin life. All too often the saving gospel is relegated to a past event and the focus of attention is taken off Christ and placed back on personal behavior as measured by the law. When this happens often doubt and a bewildering discouragement put a damper on the jubilant joy of one’s “first love” experience with Christ.
I believe Scripture teaches that the Christian life is transformed when (1) we thoroughly understand the saving gospel, and (2) when we set our minds on things above by affirming the biblical truths of the gospel, namely the “in” and “with” Christ truths, the magnificent and precious promises, and the declarations made to true believers. When we take our eyes off our own personal behavior and focus on who we are “in” and “with” Christ then the Holy Spirit will work out the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit (Rom. 8:3-5).
It is my prayer that you, the reader, will see a new beauty in the gospel as you view the various facets of this glorious truth. I believe you will experience true gospel transformation if you make it your daily habit to affirm who you now are “in” and “with” Christ and believe the magnificent and precious promises given to true believers.
I am indebted to Leon Morris’ The Epistle to the Romans1 and The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross,2 and David K. Spurbeck Sr., The Christian “in Christ”3 for some of the concepts in this book. Last but not least, I owe a debt of gratitude to my beloved Carolyn, wife of 58 years, for her helpful suggestions in preparing this book.
Throughout this book I have emphasized many words and phrases. These are my emphases and are designed to help the reader quickly grasp important points. I have at times referred to Greek verbs as these give insight, sometimes major insight, into various aspects of the gospel. For those not familiar with Greek I have listed the important point made by each usage. Biblequotations are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), unless otherwise stated.
In His joy,
Dale Ratzlaff July, 2015
Endnotes
- Leon Morris, The Epistle To The Romans, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1988.
- Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross, William В. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1965.
- David K. Spurbeck Sr.,The Christian “In Christ”, Know to Grow “In Christ” Publications, Forest Grove, OR, 1999.