Today’s word in the Big Words of the Bible Devo Series is Gospel. When you think of the word Gospel, what comes to mind? That word, which we toss around often, actually has a lot more packed into it than we realize.

In the first chapter of Romans, Paul writes this to the church there. “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:14-17)

The word gospel literally means good news. But what is that good news? Paul says that is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. He further says that in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed and which becomes available to us through faith. Through the good news of God and his invitation to us to make Him Lord of our lives, we find salvation through faith. This salvation cannot be earned, it is available to everyone and it has the power of God to forgive our sin, make us clean, fill us with His Spirit and give us the power to live righteous lives.

Through the gospel we are introduced to everything that God brings to us. In Ephesians one Paul sums up the fullness of this gift of the gospel, this good news that invades our lives. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,  in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Here is what we need to grasp. Everything in that long litany of gifts from God to us is part of the gospel. All of it, and as we will see in coming days, more. Never underestimate the amazing gift of the gospel that changes everything for those who choose to believe. Through the good news of the gospel everything changes in the present and in the future. Because now, the power of God, the gifts of God, the call of God and the Destiny that God has for us are all ours.

Father, thank you for the good news of the Gospel that brings to me all of you. Help me understand, appreciate and live out the call of the gospel as I join you in bringing good news to those around us. Amen.