I have a conviction that there is so much more to the Gospel than the line that is so often used: God loves you and has a plan for your life.

While I believe that to be completely true, I do not believe that it’s a complete truth. The fact that Jesus had to die is not explained in that statement. The response of people to the invitation to follow Jesus is not alluded to. It’s incomplete in explanation and therefore the application of those who hear that message is incomplete.

So what is the gospel? If I had to explain it in an “elevator-conversation,” I hope I would say something like this:

The gospel is not just the story of how to be saved. Rather it’s the incredibly good news of the eternal story of God’s triumph over sin, death, and the devil to redeem us into a relationship with himself and to bring us to repent from sin and turn to follow Jesus because he loves us that much. Jesus accomplished this by taking the wrath of God that was mine by nature, dying on a cross that was mine to carry, and then coming back from the dead, providing for me victory over sin and death. That turning away from sin and turning to follow Jesus brings with it salvation that is by grace through faith, not by works so that no one can boast. And because I receive that gift of salvation when I follow Jesus, I am changed into a new creation, completely forgiven, and given the righteousness of Jesus, walking in the new identity of a child of God. And that gospel story continues today as we worship and walk with Jesus as his disciples who love God, love people, and make disciples who make disciple-makers.

And I’m sure that there are so many people who can explain the gospel in much more beautiful poetic language. I don’t doubt that. In fact, I welcome it. But oh how I pray that we, as followers of Jesus, know THE GOSPEL so that we can convey the complete truth of the greatest news of greatest joy that is for all people. May we know it and may it capture us so well that we won’t be able to stay silent when someone asks, “So what’s the gospel”?