Psalm 15: What Is Needed

We talk a lot about the gospel: gospel music, gospel preaching, gospel sharing . . . But the question is, "What is the gospel?" Well, the short answer is "the good news," but then we may ask, "What do we mean by good news?" So maybe the better question is, "What is the essence of the gospel?" What makes it good news?

A pretty good place to look for answers is the Bible. So here are a few biblical definitions of the gospel.

Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18-19 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor."

Here the gospel is defined by its relationship to the poor and needy. The essence of the gospel is that it changes their situation from unfavorable to favorable.

Mark 1:15 - "The time has come," [Jesus] said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Here the gospel is defined by its message about the kingdom of God. Its essence is that it can bring near what would seem by all appearances to be very far away, the kingdom.

Romans 1:16 - I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Here the gospel is defined in terms of rescue. Its essence is its ability to save all men.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you . . . For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Here the gospel is defined in terms of the work of Christ on behalf of sinners. Its essence is substitution, fulfillment, and victory. He died "for our sins." This happened "according to the Scriptures." And he "was raised."

Ephesians 3:6 - This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Here the gospel is defined in terms of promise. The essence of the gospel is that it provides all people with the ability to share in the promises that God has made in Christ, even those who most seemed alienated from God.

Well, now we need to ask, "What is common to all these biblical definitions?" or better, "What is in there that makes them all gospel definitions?" Here are my observations:

1. Man’s desperation. In all of the above verses, a human problem is addressed: sickness and poverty, distance, need for salvation, sin, alienation.

2. Surprising change. In all of the above verses something unexpected happens: The sick are healed. The kingdom is brought near. Salvation is made available. Sin is paid for. Alienation turns to promise.

3. God’s initiation. In all of the above definitions, God is the one who has effected the surprising changes: The LORD has anointed the preaching to the poor. Jesus has come near to represent the kingdom. The "power of God" provides salvation. Jesus died for sin. God includes the Gentiles in his promises.

4. Man’s benefit. In all of the definitions, something happens for people that is very good. People receive the healing. People are brought near to God’s kingdom. People are saved. People have their sins paid for. People are brought back under God’s promises.

5. Christ work. In all of the definitions, the benefits that come to men are effected by Jesus. Jesus proclaims good news to the poor and binds up the broken hearted. Jesus brings the kingdom near. Jesus demonstrates God's power to save. Jesus dies for sin. Jesus makes God's promises available.

So taking those observations here is my suggestion about the essence of the gospel: The essence of the gospel is that in Christ, God has surprisingly changed people's desperate circumstances into great joy.

Now, the reason I am in the middle of a gospel discussion for a post on Psalm 15 is because I was struck by the desperate problem for man that Psalm 14 and 15 present when read together.

Here’s a little recap of Psalm 14:
They are corrupt.
Their deeds are vile.
There is no one who does good.
All have turned aside.
They have together become corrupt.
There is no one who does good, not even one.
You evil doers frustrate the plans of the poor.

And now here’s Psalm 15:
Who wants to enjoy relationship with God and never be shaken?
He whose walk is blameless.
He who does what is righteous.
He who speaks the truth from his heart.
He who has no slander on his tongue.
He who does his neighbor no wrong.
He who casts no slur on his fellowman.
He who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD.
He who keeps his oath even when it hurts.
He who lends his money without usury.
He who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Joyful yet? No way! Psalm 15 tells us God’s standard for acceptance is perfection while Psalm 14 has just told us that man’s level of holiness is rock bottom. The Bible is saying that if I want to enjoy God’s favor, I need to be perfectly holy, but it is also saying that I am far from that standard. The combined effect of these two psalms is not joy, no way, never, impossible. It is discouragement. It is fear. It is desperation . . .

That is, unless there is a gospel solution, one in which in Christ, God surprisingly changes people's desperate circumstances into great joy.

Perhaps David was writing prophetically? Perhaps the Holy Spirit was here predicting God’s surprising actions that would come through Christ? Perhaps David had joy because he was already living under the benefits of that later activity? Perhaps in Psalm 14 and 15, God was preaching the gospel?

Now with Psalm 14 and 15 fresh on our hearts, let’s consider one more biblical definition of the gospel.

Colossians 1:21-23 - Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation . . . This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven.

Here the gospel is defined in terms of transformation and relationship. Its essence is its ability to produce radical change in a person’s moral condition in order to produce reconciliation with God. In Christ, God has surprisingly acted in order to change men’s desperate circumstance of unrighteousness into holy, blemishless joy.

In other words, Paul says that because of Jesus, Psalm 14 people can become Psalm 15 people.

That's the gospel.

Soli deo gloria,
Glenn