How would you sum up the gospel in just a few words?
My words are love, forgiveness, and restoration.
Love because God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sins. This is not because we deserved this gift, but God is love and demonstrated His love for us in this amazing manner.
Consider these verses regarding God’s love toward us:
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 John 4:19 reveals why we should show love to others: “We love because he first loved us.”
When we demonstrate love to people who are not kind to us, we are demonstrating God’s love.
That is why it is called amazing love! It is amazing that God acted toward us in a benevolent manner, when we deserved His wrath for our rebellion against Him. Sin is rebellion against God. But instead of wrath, He sent Jesus. Jesus stood in our place and He took upon Himself God’s wrath for our sins. That is love!
Forgiveness is what Jesus secured for us on the cross when He paid the penalty for our sins.
Consider these verses regarding God’s forgiveness to us:
Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
What is God’s expectation for His people since we receive His forgiveness? According to the following verse, we are to extend forgiveness to others. Should we fail to forgive, our unforgiveness indicates we have not received the Father’s forgiveness. In other words, any person who won’t forgive another, may not truly have a relationship with God through Jesus.
Matthew 6:15: “But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Forgiveness requires denying ourselves. Jesus had to deny Himself, His rights, His position, in order to humbly go to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
Kenneth Bailey, in his book “Paul Through Middle Eastern Eyes” discusses how Eastern and Western cultures believe it is acceptable to get vengeance, to be vindictive. But God clearly states otherwise, and demonstrates through Jesus just the opposite. We must deny our so called right to be vindictive, and instead be forgiving.
The gospel is the message of God’s restoration for rebellious people. Through Jesus we are restored to a healthy and proper relationship with our Heavenly Father. This relationship was broken when Adam and Eve rebelled against God. But God had the perfect plan. In His perfect timing He sent Jesus to die on the cross so that we could be restored to a right relationship with our Creator.
Consider these verses regarding God’s restoration of us:
Psalm 23:1-3: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Psalm 103: 1-5: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Since God has restored us, what does He expect from those who profess Jesus as their Lord and Savior?
Romans 12:1-2 provides specific guidance on how we should live for our mighty and loving Redeemer: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Love, forgiveness and restoration are all aspects of God’s great gospel message.
How well are we doing at loving others as we forgive when we are offended? How earnestly are we working toward restoration with God first, and then also with people?
If we fail to work towards love, forgiveness, and restoration, as much as we are able, then we are likely out of sync with God. That is really a dangerous place to be. We are responsible as God’s people to pursue restoration. If the other person does not reciprocate, then we can pray and trust God to work in the situation. What might be holding you back from denying yourself so that you can love, forgive and be restored – to God and with people?
I understand relationships are really hard sometimes. But God has the power to change our hearts…we must be willing to change. I’d be glad to help you work through whatever is snagging you, and holding you back from moving forward with God. Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please share it with others!
Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.
Copyright 2026 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.