According to Your Gospel

Daily Devotional – January 23, 2024
..according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ..
Romans 16:25 (NKJV)

Critics of the Bible often cite the existence of four gospels as evidence that the Bible is not a reliable book. On the contrary, that is one of the most plausible indicators of the veracity of the Bible. The first four books of the Old Testament are not four separate stories but a rendition of Christ’s life on earth from four separate perspectives.

Your Good News

Apostles Matthew and John had interacted with Jesus personally, but their approaches to narrating the story of Jesus were different. Mark was a close associate of the twelve, hence having a fairly good understanding of Christ’s ministry. Luke asserted that he had ‘perfect understanding’ of the life of Jesus, hence his gospel.

Paul, despite having not lived and interacted physically with Jesus, had this to say: “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ…” (Romans 16:25). He, too, was qualified to call his experience of salvation a gospel, according to him.

According to Your Gospel

When we interact with Jesus, we form a personal relationship with Him. Through a life of prayer, Bible study, meditating on the word, obedience, and witnessing, we each develop a personal understanding of who Jesus is and what he means to us. That is the Jesus we present to those we interact with. That is the gospel, according to us.

According to your gospel, who is Jesus? What does Jesus offer to those who follow Him? What hope does your gospel offer to those in sin? Does Jesus concern Himself with the challenges people face daily? Are you preaching your gospel in word and deed so that many people may know Jesus and undergo an experience like yours?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, imbue me with the hope that my gospel may attract people to You.