I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

— 1 John 5:13

12 But to all who did receive Him, who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God,

13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

— John 1:12-13

but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

— John 20:31

24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,

25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

— Romans 4:24-25

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

— Acts 4:12

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit

— Titus 3:5

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation to you from Jesus the Lord.

Compared with the revelation of God’s words, what gospel is not is quite clear. Gospel is not something a subjective message. It is not something we say or do in our hearts oran experience we have had. The gospel is not a formula which repeating some phrases or what we say or what someone leads us to say. The gospel is not saying the so-called “sinner’s prayer.” The gospel is not a show or remorse or beating oneself up or a display for tears, joy or sorrow. The gospel is not some ecstatic or mystical experience or some sort of magical incantation. The gospel is not a promise or commitment we make. The gospel is not something we do for God.

The gospel is not some deal we make with God. God does not say, “if you’ll make Me Lord, give Me your life, your heart or your all then I will give you salvation.” The gospel is not something we have to ask or beg God for. The gospel is not asking Christ into your heart of life, not begging for forgiveness or confessing your sins. The gospel is not trusting in your faith, not your ability to be sincere of your ability to cast out all doubts. Gospel is not doing good works, keeping the Ten Commandment, being baptized, circumcised, confessing and repenting from your sins, having faith in yourself to keeping the faith. The gospel is the objective message that Christ died for your sins and rose again on the third day. If you believe in Christ and what He did for you, you are saved.