The Gospel in Six Words

Ryan Ward

Our last few weeks here at the church have been spent at an almost frenetic pace as we prepare and work to make Holy Week a memorable one. As I sat down to write this blog, I reflected on God’s redemptive story and I was reminded of my friend Greg’s simple, but effective, acronym for remembering it in six words. The words open with:

GOD created us to be with Him. (Genesis 1-2)

OUR sins separate us from God. (Genesis 3)

SINS cannot be removed by good deeds. (Genesis 4-Malachi 4)

Picture this: We could be great swimmers and decide that we will swim to Hawaii, but no matter how good we are we will not make the swim on our own. You and I cannot will ourselves to be good enough to erase our sins through good deeds. If this were the end of the story, it would be a tragedy.

However, the good news is that this is not the end of the story, because:

PAYING the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew-Luke)

EVERYONE who trusts in Him alone has eternal life. (John)

LIFE with Jesus starts now and lasts forever! (Acts-Revelation)

When I ponder this work of redemption and grace I hear the lyrics of an old hymn that state: 

“Lord, now indeed I find

Thy power and Thine alone,

Can change the leper’s spots

And melt the heart of stone.

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.”

These words remind me that He has changed my spots and melted my heart of stone. What has He done for you? This Good Friday, whether you have walked with God for a long time, need to reconnect, or are not sure where you are with Jesus, consider reflecting on this Gospel of redemption. 

Our Good Friday gathering will be an excellent time to reflect and will start at 6:30pm in the main auditorium.