No greater need than Christ JESUS and His Everlasting Gospel

 THE GOSPEL we need!

Sin has brought mankind to the depths of depravity; it has led us to the very gates of hell. We have fallen so far into sin that it is written, “There is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12). “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Had there been no revelation of the covenant of grace and the gospel that issued forth from that glorious covenant, none of us would have any reason to be hopeful, comforted or happy. But there is mercy with the Lord that we might have a strong consolation which comes to us through the free grace which is in Christ Jesus. It is for certain there is no joy for any sinner except that which is published in the glad tidings of the gospel. 

The gospel does not propose that we change our ways, improve our lives or do something to merit the favor of God; those things are impossible for us and to even suggest that there is something a sinner must do to make his peace with God is to only mock our sad and helpless condition. The gospel comes to us in its richness, fullness and freeness and publishes the good news of the forgiveness of sin and the bringing in of everlasting righteousness through the substitutionary, sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus. Christ, by His one-time offering for sin, has “perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). 

The gospel announces that God Himself raises poor sinners from the dunghill of sin and lifts us up to dwell among the princes of His people. This sweet message of grace is the declaration of what God, in Christ has already accomplished. The gospel requires nothing from us, but provides everything for us; it makes no demands on us, but says that everything a holy God demanded for our justification, sanctification and glorification has been fully accomplished by the Lamb of God who died to satisfy the demands of infinite justice for His people. 

Such good news, when impressed upon our hearts by the Spirit of grace, brings us to cast our poor souls in faith upon Christ Jesus and proclaim, “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake” (Psalm 115:1). By the Spirit’s illumination we are made to see that though in ourselves there is nothing but “wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores,” (Isaiah 1:6), yet washed in the Savior’s blood and robed in the garments of salvation, we hear the glorious declaration, “Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee” (Song of Solomon 4:7).

-preacher Jim Byrd

https://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=13thstbaptist