The World

You will often hear Christians negatively referring to "the world". What they are talking about is any desire or propagated belief that influences our thinking or perception of how things should be that isn't heavenly, holy or of God. Anything we do in life to feel happiness, joy, acceptance, purpose, etc. which replaces God and His abundant blessings is "the world". Glorifying the gifts above the Giver is "the world".

The world could be characterized by messages the media puts forth about how we should look, feel or act. What society respects and lives for (wealth, intelligence, fame, social standing, etc.) could also reveal the world's influence on our thinking. This concept is so over-arching, so ingrained into the fabric of our lives and beliefs, that a characterization as expansive as "the world" became necessary to articulate or personify this reality.

Perhaps the best thing I can do to help you understand this concept is show you an example of what "the world" does. My deepest thanks to Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty for exposing this. The World's Influence...

The Gospel

There is so much to say about the Gospel. One could spend their lifetime interacting with and pondering the meaning of the gospel and still never fully grasp the depth of it all. It is simple enough for a child to understand, yet so contrary to our human nature that adults strive to fully comprehend it. Charles Spurgeon is famously quoted for saying that we need to preach the gospel to ourselves daily!

The word "Gospel" literally means "good news" and it really is!

I figured the easiest way for me to explain what the gospel is and what it teaches would be to quote the lyrics to 3 songs that outline and communicate the message clearly. Here they are!

The Gospel Song

Lyrics by Drew Jones (brackets mine)
Music by Bob Kauflin

Holy God, in love, became
Perfect Man to bear my blame
On the cross He took my sin
By His death [and resurrection] I live again

The Power of the Cross

Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

In Christ Alone (vs. 2-4)

Words and Music by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
end song quotations

If you want to learn even more about the gospel go here!