• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Contact Us
Leading To Life

Leading To Life

Helping you build a better life through better choices.


An Initiative of Church of God, the Father’s Call

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Humanity

June 18, 2024

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

At a time when the world is experiencing so much anger, chaos, lawlessness, frustration and such a bleak future, God’s overarching plan for humanity is more vital and critical for us to understand and apply individually than ever before.

The Gospel is a message of hope and encouragement that highlights God’s love and mercy for everything He has created. It emphasizes His desire for the creation, the earth and all its inhabitants to dwell in peace and harmony with Him. It also highlights that God is actively working out His plan to add children to His family. His plan is fulfilled yet in the future when His Kingdom is once again established over all the creation and all beings who are willingly led by Him.

The Gospel can be equated to the Kingdom of God which represents the fullness and totality of what God is in the process of accomplishing with mankind. Jesus Christ made this clear as He began His ministry. Immediately following the temptation in the wilderness and John’s imprisonment, Jesus “came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14). After John had preached the baptism of repentance, Jesus Christ came to proclaim, or announce, the arrival of the Kingdom of God, by stating “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Jesus Christ both announced and personified the Gospel, as the perfect human representation of the Father and a direct representative of the Kingdom of God on the earth.

The Gospel message begins at a time in the past when the whole creation existed in a state of peace and harmony. When the earth was created, the angels shouted for joy. There was no hint of conflict (Job 38:7). This was a time when strife, envy, war, and violence simply did not exist. The creation was a unified whole under God’s and the Word’s (John 1:1-3,14) loving rule and authority, exhibiting the very nature of the God family.

This state of peace and harmony was broken. Heylel (also known as Lucifer), a being created perfect, rebelled against the authority and rule of God: “Thus says the Lord God: You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:12–15 (NKJV).

When he rebelled, he attempted to raise himself above God and take over rulership of all that existed: “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars (angels) of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:13-14). Heylel became known as Satan, the adversary of God. From that time froward the creation existed in a state of captivity and darkness. See also Ezekiel 28:11-19.

But God’s creation has a purpose. All that we see, and the things that we do not see, were created for a purpose. The plan for the creation, including all of humanity, has not changed. But when Satan rebelled, the creation became “captive “under his power. At the present time, the creation is waiting eagerly to be released from the enslavement in which it finds itself, so that it can be returned to its original purpose once again (Romans 8:19-21).

While the Gospel is comprised of many aspects, the core truth conveyed by that message is that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are engaged in a process of reconciliation and the restoration of all things to the state of peace and harmony, which existed before Satan’s rebellion. When the creation is restored, it will once again be aligned with the purpose for which it was created. Central to this plan is for every person to have a direct and personal relationship with God the Father (Colossians 1:19-20), in their appointed time (1 Corinthians 15:22-23), with the express intent of expanding the God Family.

Paul notes in Romans 8 that God is creating heirs and children: “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, …” (Romans 8:12-17).

All human beings were created with the potential to become members of His family. However, for most of humanity, this purpose remains a mystery. For now, only those called into a relationship with the Father, through Jesus Christ, can understand this mystery.

God’s plan and purpose are based on His desire that all people be transformed through this relationship into a new creation and ultimately born into the divine family of God: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, . . .” (Romans 8:15-17).

The foundation, or the chief cornerstone, of the Gospel is Jesus Christ. It is only through His sacrifice that humanity can be reconciled, and the separation be healed that exists between God and mankind (Colossians 1:22-23). Christ’s sacrifice provides the only way for all peoples to be restored to a relationship with God the Father (John 14:6).

But the Gospel does carry with it personal responsibility and accountability. It is not sufficient to intellectually embrace and support the preaching of the Gospel. It requires action and deep commitment to a walk, or way of life that reflects God, the source of the light. God’s people must repent and believe the Gospel. It is not a passive endeavor. The Apostle James points out that hearing alone is not enough – for those called action is required: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

A fuller understanding of the Gospel makes it clear that there is personal accountability needed from everyone who hears and heeds the message. The Gospel is intended to begin at the individual level and expand outward to eventually encompass the entire creation. This is clearly conveyed by the parable of the mustard seed as a metaphor for the Kingdom of God. Just as a tiny mustard seed grows into a large tree that covers what is around it. This parable teaches that God begins by reconciling a few now, but eventually all things will be reconciled and covered by His Kingdom and loving authority.

Those called to be reconciled now, have a responsibility. That responsibility is to change and reflect God’s way of life in this world as an example. When we are individually accountable and unified with the message so that the Church reflects God the Father’s nature, then the body of Christ will be lifted as an example to our Father’s glory. When this occurs, the Gospel will be preached in a way that only He can accomplish – bringing glory and honor to His name. This spiritual health and unity of the Church is the foundation of the end time preaching of the Gospel.

The Gospel message will be ultimately fulfilled when the Father dwells on earth in the New Jerusalem with His family: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:1-4).



Filed Under: Gospel, Kingdom of God, Salvation Tagged With: Accountability, Creation, God Family, God's Purpose, Gospel, Heylel, Humanity's Purpose, Jesus Christ, Lucifer, Mustard Seed, Reconciliation, Responsibility, Satan, The Church

Primary Sidebar

Search

More results...

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

10 Most Recent Posts

  • A Mind Fit for Eternity
  • Men: Reclaiming What’s Been Lost
  • Consumed, Not Cherished: Rethinking Self-Image
  • Let God Prevail
  • The Last Great Day, Rivers of Living Waters
  • The Nature of Christ
  • Misrepresenting God Distances Us from Him
  • Is God Truly Unknowable?  
  • Salvation: Who’s In and Who’s Out
  • The Passover Effect

Trending – Top 20 – Last 30 Days

  • Gnosticism: Why John Wrote 1 John
  • Ideological Subversion
  • The Garden of Eden Prototype
  • The 3 D’s of Satan’s Toolbox
  • The Truth Will Set You Free?
  • The Purpose of Righteousness
  • Equality, Equity, and Justice
  • The Great Deception: Satan Masquerades as an Angel of Light
  • Measurements of Spiritual Growth
  • Three Levels of Listening
  • What is Human Greatness?
  • A Silent Tragedy in How We Are Raising Our Children
  • The Collapse of Justice
  • Why Not Steal?
  • The Precipice
  • Let the Oppressed Go Free
  • A Mind Fit for Eternity
  • By Your Patience Possess Your Souls
  • Time and Chance Happens to All
  • Spiritual Equilibrium

Search by Category

Iks Menu
No data found

Copyright © 2025 · LeadingToLife.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
We do not sell or distribute any information.
Accept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT