This simple chart helps explain how the Gospel of Jesus works in our hearts and minds. It is relevant to both non-Christians and Christians.
This is taken from a Christian study series called “The Gospel Centered Life” which I highly recommend doing as a student or teacher.
There are 3 parts to it:
1) The upward line indicates a growing awareness of just how holy (or perfect, or pure) God is. It’s not that God becomes more holy, it’s just that we are beginning to understand it better.
2) The downward line represents a growing awareness of our own personal sinfulness. A realization of our utter inability to please God in our own efforts or good works. Again, it’s not that we become more sinful, we just understand it better.
3) As you can see these two lines grow apart as we gain awareness of each topic That would be depressing if it were not for the middle where we see the cross of Jesus Christ. The cross not only bridges this gap but it grows larger and more lovely as the lines diverge. The cross becomes our only hope.
The authors of the study cite Colossians 1:5-6 as the ground for their work:
“…the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.”
The idea here being that the Gospel isn’t just “...the door, but the path we are to walk every day of the Christian life”.
The authors continue: “It is not just the means of our salvation, but the means of our transformation. It is not simply deliverance from sin’s penalty, but release from sin’s power… The gospel changes everything!”
As always if you have any questions about this chart or this series let me know.
See a PDF preview here.
