Barbara Hughes elaborates on three other aspects of how the Gospel gives shape to our lives. She says that the Gospel defines us, the Gospel motivates us, and the Gospel satisfies us. Since her book is dedicated to so much more than explaining the ins-and-outs of how the Gospel affects our lives, she does not spend much space elaborating on these three points; they are just a couple of paragraphs in length. I’d like to share a couple of specific ways God has taught me to use the Gospel on a daily basis, then give you a turn to share your thoughts.

Have you ever noticed that the Gospel is really only emphasized for evangelistic purposes? That many preachers imply that the Gospel is relevant if you are not yet a believer? For example, you may have heard someone say, “If you’re already a Christian, then you need to be praying. I’m talking specifically to the one who has not accepted Christ.” Or maybe you’ve heard, “If you already know Jesus as your personal Savior, then you don’t need to worry about what I’m about to say.” I’m not saying that there is something wrong with saying those things. I am saying that I have found that the Gospel is for my everyday life, not just for that moment in time when my eyes were opened to the Gospel and God saved me.

Why? Because I sin everyday. I need a good review of the Gospel everyday! Otherwise, I lose hope that God is doing anything in me at all. I talk myself into a despairing of ever being who God created me to be. I think Spurgeon is the one who said that we must preach the gospel to ourselves daily. When I preach the Gospel to myself daily, I am reminded of God’s great love for me and that He is at work and He will conform me to the image of His Son. And, then, there are those days when I just wake up in a funk and nothing seems right. Reviewing the Gospel is good for curing that, too.

I want to share one more reason, probably the one that has had the most significant impact on my life recently. It is reviewing the Gospel so as to prevent bitterness and seeking revenge. I’m not the only one who gets angry or gets hurt feelings at the hands of another. I know those things are going to happen from time to time. But I don’t want those times to cripple me in my relationship with Christ. So, I review the Gospel.

The Gospel tells me that God sent His Son, who died on a cross, to pay the penalty for sin and save sinners. The Gospel also tells me that anyone who does not see himself as a sinner, nor treasure Christ’s death as atonement for his sins, will spend eternity in Hell. I learn from this that the penalty for sin is paid, either on the cross by Christ or eternal damnation.

So, when I am hurt by another and want them to pay for hurting me, I have to review the Gospel. Ultimately, their offense to me is really an offense to God. And He is the one who repays. Either that person will receive forgiveness because Christ paid the penalty, or that person will receive his wages in Hell for eternity. I must forgive and remember that Jesus paid for it on the cross. I must trust that God will do what His word says He will do. He will make all things right in the end. For me to demand restitution is wrong and demonstrates my lack of faith.

Living my faith in this way has dramatically changed my marriage and my relationships with my parents.

Now it’s your turn. How do you use the Gospel in your everyday life?