Chapter 8 – The Gospel Is Better Than You Have Been Told

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus and a steward of the mystery now fully revealed, to the beloved throughout the American church: grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

My brothers and sisters, as this letter draws to its close, I rejoice to remind you of the good news that first called you—good news that has not grown old, weak, or incomplete with time.

For the gospel was never meant to be managed, moderated, or improved.
It was meant to be received.

Some speak of the gospel as though it were an opportunity waiting on human response.
Others present it as a partnership, where Christ has done His part and now you must complete the rest.
Still others treat it as an entry point, something to move beyond once maturity is reached.

But the gospel is not a beginning to outgrow—it is the finished work of God.

Do you not remember what was proclaimed to you?
That God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting sins against them.
That peace was declared before it was deserved.
That forgiveness was granted before it was requested.

God did not send His Son to make salvation possible.
He sent His Son to accomplish it.

The cross was not a proposal.
It was a conclusion.

Sin was not ignored—it was taken away.
Death was not resisted—it was defeated.
Judgment was not threatened—it was absorbed.
Distance was not negotiated—it was removed.

This is why the gospel is called good news.

It does not announce what you must do to be accepted.
It announces what has already been done because you are accepted.

You are not forgiven because you understood everything correctly.
You are forgiven because Christ bore sin completely.

You are not righteous because your faith never faltered.
You are righteous because Jesus was faithful unto death.

You are not secure because you held on tightly.
You are secure because God finished what He began.

I do not write these things to astonish you, but to settle you.
For when the gospel is seen clearly, fear loses its voice.
Striving gives way to rest.
Obedience flows from life, not pressure.

Beloved, this is not shallow grace.
It is deep, enduring grace.

It reaches further than your failures.
It remains steady through your suffering.
It stands firm when circumstances shake.

For the gospel does not rest on your consistency.
It rests on Christ’s completed work.

Therefore, let the gospel remain what it is.
Do not reduce it to advice.
Do not dilute it with conditions.
Do not place fences where God has declared freedom.

Live as those who have been reconciled.
Walk as those who are already complete.
Rest as those for whom nothing remains unfinished.

For you are in Christ.
And Christ lacks nothing.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be enough for you.