A Simple Explanation for Today’s World
Have you ever wondered, “Whatever happened to the gospel?” This question has been on my mind since 2020, and it keeps coming up as I see the struggles people are facing both across the country and in their personal lives. With all the different messages out there, sometimes it feels like the true message of Jesus—the gospel—has gotten lost.
What is the Gospel Really?
The word “gospel” simply means “good news.” For Christians, it’s the heart of our faith: the message about Jesus, who He is, what He did, and why it matters. It’s not just another set of rules or a motivational speech. The gospel tells us that Jesus came to earth to bring hope, healing, and a way to connect with God.
Why Do People Ask. “Whatever Happened to the Gospel?”
Today, there are a lot of ideas being shared in churches and online. Messages about prosperity (“name it and claim it”), political or national beliefs mixed with faith, or teachings that don’t quite match what Jesus said are everywhere. With all these different voices, it’s easy to lose sight of what Jesus actually taught.
What Did Jesus Tell His Followers to Do?
When Jesus was on earth, He sent His disciples out with a clear message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” He told them to help others, heal the sick, and share freely what they had received from God. Later, after He rose from the dead, Jesus told His followers to go everywhere and tell everyone about Him, helping people follow everything He commanded. He also promised to be with us always.
Why Did Jesus Leave Heaven for Us?
This is a big question. Why would Jesus leave heaven, with all its perfection, and come to a world full of pain and trouble? The answer is simple: Jesus came to rescue us. He came to save us from the judgment that comes at the end of life, to give us a new start, and to offer forgiveness and hope. The Bible says:
Let’s put it simply: Jesus left the comfort and perfection of heaven because He loved us so much that He couldn’t stand to see us lost and separated from God. He saw our struggles, our pain, and the mess we often find ourselves in, and He chose to step into our broken world to help us. Jesus didn’t come to add more rules or make life harder—He came to rescue us, forgive our mistakes, and show us a new way to live that brings real hope and peace.
According to the Bible, Jesus’ main mission was to save us from the consequences of our wrong choices and reconnect us with God. He came to give us a fresh start, offer forgiveness, and open the door to a new relationship with God—something we could never earn on our own. That’s the heart of the gospel: good news for everyone, no matter who you are or what your past looks like.
In today’s world, where so many different versions of faith are floating around, it’s easy to get confused or discouraged. Some messages sound good on the surface but twist what Jesus actually taught, making the gospel about getting rich, being powerful, or following a set of man-made rules. That’s why it’s so important for us to go back to the basics and really understand what Jesus came to do. Don’t just take someone else’s word for it—dig into the Scriptures yourself and ask God to show you the truth. The real gospel still changes lives, and it’s a message worth understanding and sharing, especially in times like these.
So, as we think about what happened to the gospel, let’s remember that its message hasn’t changed—only our attention to it sometimes has. In the midst of all the noise and distractions of our world, we are invited to return to the heart of Jesus’ good news. No matter where we are or what we’ve been through, His love and offer of hope remain steady, waiting for us to respond with open hearts.
Let’s pray together: “God, thank You for sending Jesus to share true hope and forgiveness with us. Help us to see through distractions and return to the simple, powerful message of the gospel. Give us courage to trust You, wisdom to understand Your Word, and love to share this good news with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Minister A Francine Green
January 2026
afrancinegreen.com 