The Cross at the Center of the Gospel

One important line from the past chapter I have read in What is the Gospel? is, "Paul made sure the cross was the central point of the gospel he preached, and we should do the same." This quote is really important to the past section I have read, because it summarizes what it is most about. The line comes at the end, and is like a summary statement for what had been talked about for pages before that. Throughout the book, different pieces and parts of the Gospel are brought together to finally bring a fuller understanding of what the Gospel really is by the time you get to the end of the book. The point that the cross is the center of the Gospel is important because without Jesus dying on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, and then rising again, we would be without hope to be saved from our sins.

The book says, "Indeed I believe one of the greatest dangers [Christians face] today is the temptation to rethink and rearticulate the gospel in a way that makes its center something other than the death of Jesus on the cross in the place of sinners." Sometimes Christians might try to make it sound like you can save yourself by doing good deeds, or some people might say that you don't need God at all. But really, Jesus' death on the cross, and Him rising again is what made it possible for us to ask for forgiveness from God, and to be saved only by His grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). By keeping the cross at the center of the Gospel, we stay focused on the true message, and not getting sidetracked by what things we think we can do to be saved ("not by works..."). Overall, I really like this book, and I would recommend it to anybody who wants to read a really good and informational book!