Does the gospel only pertain to the next life?
Introduction. I am pleased that our querist realizes there is a "next life." Man is, in fact, a triune being (1 Thes. 5: 23). We possess an outward man and an inward. The outward is visible, the body, the inward is invisible, the soul (2 Cor. 4: 16-5: 4). The body is perishable or temporal, the soul is eternal (2 Cor. 4: 18).
The gospel – the link between God and man. The gospel is God's power unto salvation (Rom. 1: 16). The gospel is the medium used by God "to call" men and women (2 Thes. 2: 14). Without the gospel, man is left to his own ineffectual wisdom (1 Cor. 11,2,3,4).
The gospel is two-fold in its design. Peter said to Jesus, "...lo, we have left all, and have followed thee" (Mk. 10: 28). Jesus explained that those who have made sacrifices for his sake and the gospel shall have eternal life in the world to come (Mk. 10: 28-30). However, Jesus also pointed out to Peter that the gospel benefits "now in this time" (vs. 30).
The gospel presently enriches our lives. It is through the gospel that we obtain forgiveness (Acts 2: 14-40, 1 John 1: 7-9). Jesus commissioned his apostles to preach the gospel to every creature, in view of man's spiritual needs (K. 16: 15, 16). The gospel teaches you and me how to live pleasingly to God (cp. Gal. 2: 14). The gospel produces successful families (Eph. 5: 22-6: 4), better citizens (Rom. 13: 1-7), better employees (cp. Col. 3: 22, 23), and offers an unequaled quality of life (1 Pet. 3: 10-13).
Conclusion. To concisely answer our question, no, the gospel does not only pertain to the next life. Of course, the one hope of the Christian is heaven (Eph. 4: 4, Rom. 8: 24). Heaven, next life for the faithful, is where the inheritance is (1 Pet. 1: 4). To depart and be with Christ is far better (Phili. 1: 23).
The gospel – the link between God and man. The gospel is God's power unto salvation (Rom. 1: 16). The gospel is the medium used by God "to call" men and women (2 Thes. 2: 14). Without the gospel, man is left to his own ineffectual wisdom (1 Cor. 11,2,3,4).
The gospel is two-fold in its design. Peter said to Jesus, "...lo, we have left all, and have followed thee" (Mk. 10: 28). Jesus explained that those who have made sacrifices for his sake and the gospel shall have eternal life in the world to come (Mk. 10: 28-30). However, Jesus also pointed out to Peter that the gospel benefits "now in this time" (vs. 30).
The gospel presently enriches our lives. It is through the gospel that we obtain forgiveness (Acts 2: 14-40, 1 John 1: 7-9). Jesus commissioned his apostles to preach the gospel to every creature, in view of man's spiritual needs (K. 16: 15, 16). The gospel teaches you and me how to live pleasingly to God (cp. Gal. 2: 14). The gospel produces successful families (Eph. 5: 22-6: 4), better citizens (Rom. 13: 1-7), better employees (cp. Col. 3: 22, 23), and offers an unequaled quality of life (1 Pet. 3: 10-13).
Conclusion. To concisely answer our question, no, the gospel does not only pertain to the next life. Of course, the one hope of the Christian is heaven (Eph. 4: 4, Rom. 8: 24). Heaven, next life for the faithful, is where the inheritance is (1 Pet. 1: 4). To depart and be with Christ is far better (Phili. 1: 23).