When I was studying to become a pastor, my professors would often remind me, “Preach the gospel every time.” Why were they so passionate about turning me into a gospel-focused preacher? Maybe because the gospel isn’t something that people can figure out on their own. 

God’s law (all the dos/don’ts of the Bible) is, for the most part, obvious. Because we all have a conscience, we don’t need the Bible to figure out whether or not it’s okay to murder our neighbor. But who, without God’s Word, would ever think something like this: “Let [the wicked and the unrighteous] turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon” (Isaiah 55:7)?

Think about that. Whom is God freely pardoning here? On whom is he promising mercy? The wicked. The unrighteous. This is the most unhuman thought ever. God is inviting the wicked, the worst of us, the blackest sheep, the most prodigal son, to turn to him. “I want you wicked people to be with me,” God says. “I want you sinners to become my sons and daughters,” the Lord invites. 

Isn’t that crazy? Our God will freely pardon the wicked. He forgives for free. He forgives the wicked through the blood of Jesus Christ. That’s the gospel, the good news that we would never figure out on our own.

Thank God for planning it, Jesus for doing it, and the Holy Spirit for revealing it!