At our recent church body’s annual conference, during one of the discussions about a resolution, someone asked, “Where is the gospel?” The resolution was about the church’s opposition to certain things going on in society. The first draft had a lot about what people thought others were doing wrong and what we should do in response to that. The speaker was concerned there wasn’t anything in the resolution about what God has done.

The gospel is about what God has done, in particular what He has done in Christ giving His life for our sin, saving us and giving us new life. That gospel message of what God has done is the most crucial message the world needs to hear. We ought to be continually asking the question, “Where is the gospel?”

In declarations we make as a church body and as individuals, it is important to ask, “Where is the gospel?” The world needs to hear the convicting word of God’s law that tells of our sin and brings us to repentance. But if people only hear that they’re doing wrong and they don’t hear what God has done, they’ll never find salvation in Jesus.

In our teaching of children and youth and in the guidance we give to them we need to ask, “Where is the gospel?” If all we go is give dos and don’ts and instruction on how to be moral, but nothing about the good news of Jesus we have failed to share with them the source of power and strength and wisdom to live a transformed life.

In our conversations about the news of the day, where is the gospel? We who know that Jesus is the King of kings, on the throne forever, in control of what is going on in the world, need to do more than just moan and groan about the political and economic situation in the world. The world is longing to hear good news and we have the best news of all. Instead of constant complaining we celebrate the good news that no matter who is in political office, no matter what happens to our country, our future is full of hope when our faith is in our loving Savior and Lord.

In our sharing with our neighbors, our community and our world let us keep on asking, “Where is the gospel? Have I shared with them the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done?” “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). The gospel alone has the power to transform lives. We need to continually remind ourselves and others of the gospel of Christ crucified and risen again for it is “of first importance” (I Corinthians 15:3).

Where is the gospel in your mind and heart? Is it the truth of first importance that gets you going in the morning and brings you peace at day’s end? May the gospel of who Jesus is and what He has done be what stirs our heart the most, occupies our thoughts the most. For it is the gospel that brings a joy, a love, a hope and a peace that is found nowhere else.