You may have heard me say this before, but it's worth repeating again: I'm deeply persuaded that many Christians, myself included, have a big gap in the middle of our gospel theology.
Let me break it down and then apply it in a fresh way:
I think we have a strong understanding of the theology of gospel past - meaning, we trust deeply in the historical sacrifice of Jesus which paid the penalty for our sins.
I also think that we have a strong understanding of the theology of gospel future - meaning, we trust eagerly in the eternal promise of heaven that's coming.
But there's something missing in the middle. We either don't understand, or fail to embrace, the theology of the "now-ism" of the gospel. In other words, we don't take full advantage of all the benefits of the work of Christ today.
In this post, I want to briefly outline 7 gospel promises that are offered to us right here, right now. It's my hope that you would save this link or print off the post and come back to these promises regularly!
1. The Gospel Promises Forgiveness Today
Even though we believe in the sacrifice of Jesus, we don't fully embrace his forgiveness today. Many of us carry around our sins in a metaphorical backpack of regret, bruising our spiritual shoulders and breaking the back of our faith.
Jesus took the weight of our sin on himself so that we wouldn't have to carry it any longer. He says that he will remember our sins no more, but will separate us from those sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).
What freedom is found here! It makes no sense for a believer to live imprisoned by fear, paralyzed by regret, in the darkness of guilt and shame when complete forgiveness has been offered to us.
2. The Gospel Promises Deliverance Today
Christ came not only to forgive our sins, but to deliver us from them. On the Cross, he broke the power of sin's mastery over us (see Romans 6:1–14). That means we don't have to give in any longer to sins that used to dominate us.
Your life should look progressively different after you come to Christ. Addictions can be broken. We can speak in a new way. We don't have to be so angry all the time. It will take effort, and you'll need to surround yourself with resources from the body of Christ to help, but the gospel won't settle for anything less than heart and life transformation.
3. The Gospel Promises Power Today
If the gospel promises deliverance, it must also promise power to deliver. As the Lord said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). In ourselves we have no power and can do no good thing, but the Lord doesn't abandon us there.
The gospel fills us with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can be delivered to a new life that benefits others and glorifies God. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is living within us (Ephesians 1:19-20).
4. The Gospel Promises Restoration Today
It's easy to look back on our lives and see the wreckage of lost opportunity. It's tempting to wish we could rewind time and delete previous words and actions. It's natural to question why God took so long to reveal our sinful ways to us.
But the gospel promises restoration, and not just with a new heaven and a new earth. The Lord says, "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten [...] You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God" (Joel 2:25–26).
God is a Restorer. The years haven't been wasted. In his sovereign love, God has been bringing us to this point of insight and conviction at just the right moment. His timing is always right. The process has been tailor-made to accomplish what he promised - a harvest of righteousness. And wonderfully, God promises to restore what has been lost in the process so that we, his people, will not be put to shame (Joel 2:27).
5. The Gospel Promises Reconciliation Today
At the heart of the gospel narrative is the coming of the Prince of Peace. In him, we find reconciliation not only with God, but with one another. He's the only One who can destroy the walls that separate people (Ephesians 2:14–18).
Only the gospel of Jesus Christ is able to put love in hearts where hate once reigned. Only the gospel makes thoughtless, self-absorbed people tender and compassionate. Out of the coal of human sin and failure, the gospel produces the jewel of godliness.
I love what the Bible says: "He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:6). Jesus came so that his church would be a community of unity and love (John 17:20–23). Today, the gospel promises hope where your relationships have been damaged or even destroyed.
6. The Gospel Promises Wisdom Today
You may be thinking, "I know that my life needs to change, but I don't know where to start or what do to!" This is where the promise of the wisdom of the gospel shines. James says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5).
How simple, yet how encouraging! We have no reason to despair over our own ignorance when "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" are hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:3). The invitation is simple: "Come, ask, and I will give!"
7. The Gospel Promises Mercy Today
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus was tempted like we are in every point, so he understands and sympathizes with our weaknesses. We can come to him and find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:14–16).
In the hardest of situations, in the most trying of relationships, we never stand alone with only our personal abilities to help us. We are in Christ, and in him we can do what would otherwise be impossible.
So today, as you face the realities of life in a broken world, remember the gospel promise of 2 Peter 1:3 - God has already given you everything you need for a godly life.
Remind yourself of these 7 daily gospel promises as you look forward to the gospel promise of eternity!