The Gospel Is More Than a Birth-to-Death Story

The gospel is more than a birth-to-death story. The life and death of Christ are part of an incredible golden chain that reaches from eternity to eternity. The best news of all is you can enjoy the full benefits of the gospel by faith. No works; just faith. Christ has done the work for you. Do you want to follow Him?

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1. In the beginning, the Lord created a man without a man or a woman. That man was Adam.
2. Then the Lord created a woman without a woman. That woman was Eve.
3. Then the Lord created people with a man and a woman. That was you and me.
4. Then the Lord created a man without a man. He was Jesus.

The virgin birth is the most profound of His four creative acts. But what the Lord did by giving His Son to us is only part of what amazes me. To think that He would give Jesus to us and that Jesus would be willing to come and die is mind-boggling (Ephesians 3:20).

The baby Jesus was on a mission to do the will of His Father (John 6:38), which was to die on a cross (John 19:30) for the sins of the world (Luke 19:10; 1 John 3:8).

That is what He accomplished, but it is more than a birth-to-death story. When you think about the Trinitarian effort that accomplished our salvation, it is staggering. When Jesus died, the Father experienced the loss of a son. When Jesus gave his life, the Father suffered the loss of a life.

At the cross, the Father judged the Son, and the Son received the judgment. They agreed to do these things so we could have life more abundantly (John 10:10; Hebrews 12:2; 1 John 5:13). The most significant gift God could give was the complete sacrifice of His Son for our rescue (John 3:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

The virgin birth is profound, Christmas is fantastic, and the cross is stunning, but it is even more incredible to know salvation comes by a Person willing to go through so much for us (Hebrews 2:14-15).

If you are in Him, you are secure (John 10:28-30). Because of Him, nothing will overcome you (Romans 8:31-39). To be in Christ is present-tense victory and future fulfillment (Matthew 11:28). Christmas is only one aspect of a story that began in eternity past (Ephesians 1:3-4) and continues into eternity future (Revelation 21:1).

As you reflect on Christmas this year, remember it’s one golden link in a massively powerful and eternal golden chain.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:29-31)?

Rick Thomas

Rick Thomas leads a training network for Christians to assist them in becoming more effective soul care providers. RickThomas.Net reaches people around the world through consulting, training, podcasting, writing, counseling, and speaking.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology, and in 1991 he received a BS in Education. In 1993 he was ordained into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, CA. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).