Saint

Tikhon of Zadonsk.

Collected Works.

Volume 4.

About true Christianity.

Book Two

About true Christianity. Book 2

Article 1.

On the Gospel and Faith

A Christian comes from faith, faith from the Gospel begins, as will be said below. Therefore, in discussing Christianity, it is necessary first of all to briefly offer a discussion of the Gospel and faith.

Chapter 1.

About the Gospel

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; for he has anointed me, sent me to preach good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, to restore sight to the blind, and so on.

(Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18)

§ 277. The Gospel is a Greek word, and means good news and joyful news, that is, it preaches Christ, the Son of God, Who came into the world to save sinners, as the Apostle of Christ wrote for the consolation of sinners: "The word is true and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15). And Christ Himself declared Himself: "The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). And so, what news can be more pleasant for us, sinners, than to hear the proclamation of the remission of sins freely preached, instead of the wrath of God – the mercy of God, instead of curse – the blessing of God, instead of condemnation – justification, instead of hell – the kingdom of heaven opened, and with the Great God, Holy and Eternal – eternal reconciliation and communion (see Romans 5; 1 John 1:3, 7, 9).

Truly, there can be no more desirable news for sinners. Health is not so desirable for the sick, bread for the hungry, cold water for the thirsty, freedom for prisoners, deliverance for captives, light for the blind and those sitting in darkness, as remission of sins and justification for sinners who were subject to God's eternal wrath and rejection.

That means the Gospel, Christians! This is the good news that the gospel brings us! Be comforted by this, O soul, broken by sorrow for sins and fear of God's judgment, for God, according to the riches of His goodness, has opened the doors of mercy and eternal bliss to all sinners, who repent and believe in the name of His Only-begotten Son.

What the gospel is is better known by comparing the law with the gospel. It is true that there is only one Creator of the law and the Gospel – God. And just as the law is given to all, and obliges everyone to perfect obedience, so the Gospel is commanded to all to preach, as it is written: "Preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). And Christ, the revelation of Whom is contained in the Gospel, preached to all creation, calls all to Himself: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). And just as the law was given to justify and save the man who fulfilled it perfectly: whoever fulfills it (what is written in the law) will live by it (Lev. 18:5; Gal. 3:12), so the purpose of the Gospel is to justify believers, and so on. However, the difference between the law and the gospel is as follows:

1) The law, that is, written, was given by Moses (for it was written on the hearts and with our forefathers, Adam and Eve), the Gospel by Christ, as the holy Evangelist wrote: the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).

2) The law gives commandments about what we should do and what we should not do. The Gospel preaches the remission of sins, the grace of God, and the merits of Christ. God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

3) The law teaches what to do and what to turn away from, but it does not give help to action. The Gospel promises the grace of the Holy Spirit, by Whom the law is written and works in the hearts of believers (see Jeremiah 31:33).