Jesus Christ has preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ

What is truly the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Is it the life story of Jesus Christ?
Or, is it what he preached pertaining to the kingdom of God? 

If Jesus Christ has preached his own gospel then, the stories of Jesus Christ, as valid as it is, is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many books are written by many different authors about God, doctrines, faith, church matters and the Bible.  These books are studied by Christians and many are taught in churches.  Consequently, Christians follow different doctrines.  Most of these doctrines are erroneous.  If these wrong doctrines are just different viewpoints, then they are okay because they will not cause harm.  But eternal life and eternal destruction are not just viewpoints, they are real.  Wrong doctrines will cause eternal destruction to followers.  For this reason, it is proper to show them the true gospel according to the Bible so that they may not be deceived.

1. Gospel of the Churches

The gospel is the life of the Bible.  However, the Old Testament of the Bible contains the creation account, fall of Adam and Eve, generations of people including Enoch, choosing of Abraham, history of Israel, the leadership of Moses, the laws and commandments, the kingdom of Israel, fall of Israel, prophets, etc.  The New Testament contains the account of God becoming a man, teaching of Jesus Christ, ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Church, mercy, grace, salvation, hope, faith, kingdom of God, gospel of the kingdom of heaven, destiny of man, etc.  The gospel is presented in different methods, throughout the Bible. But the message is taught through the revelation of the Holy Spirit.  However, Jesus Christ and His apostles preached the good news directly.

The true gospel is good news for few and bad news for many. That is, it is good news for those who obey the doctrine of Jesus Christ and it is bad news for those who do not obey the doctrine of Jesus Christ.  The obedient will receive the reward for their good works of obedience and the disobedient will receive the punishment for not obeying God.  But the common church people want to receive the reward for their religiosity, rather than for the obedience of the doctrine.  The preachers of the church, being lead to accommodate them, are preaching a compromising gospel.  This gospel is counterfeit gospel and it will promise them the reward without being obedient to the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

a. Saved by Confession

"Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

 Generally, the salvation method is taught from such verses.  Say that ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe that he is resurrected from the dead, then you are saved.  It is a very simple method, which makes every person in the churches saved.  We are not jealous for their joy of salvation.  But is it true?  If it is false then their joy is short-lived.  Let us verify it from the Bible whether this method is valid or not.

"Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven.
Matt 1:21… thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, verily, verily, I say unto you; whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." 

 Whoever is doing the will of his Father is a part of his people.  Jesus Christ saves his people from their sins.  But if they are still committing sins then they are still servants of sin and not saved from their sins.  Just calling Jesus as Lord, will not save a person.  So, the above popular teaching is wrong.  Let us look at the original verse one more time.  (1). "---thou shalt be saved." 'Shalt be saved' is in future tense.  So we cannot say that the person is saved, but this head start may lead this person to salvation in the future.  (2). "Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus" Confession is admitting the truth and if it is not the truth, then it is not a confession, but a lie.  "The Lord" means, the master to whom the servant should obey.  In this case, the believer accepts Jesus Christ as his Lord.  If that is true, he should be obeying all his commandments.  But if the person says that 'Jesus is Lord' without obeying his commandments, then he is going through a ceremonial confession, which will only make him a liar, and not a saved person.  God is Truth.  God cannot be deceived by a ceremony.

b. Simplicity in Christ 

"2Cor 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

In the above verse, "the simplicity that is in Christ" is taught as his simple godly love, which readily saves any sinner who believes that he is the Son of God and believes in his death, burial and resurrection.  It appears to be simple and acceptable. But in reality the verses say something else.  Verse 2 says that the writer, (actually the writer is the Holy Spirit) with godly jealousy want to present this bride as a chaste virgin to Jesus Christ. The simplicity in Jesus is to accept a chaste virgin and not an adulterous woman who simply believes something great about the Groom.  

The wholesome word of God also agrees that Jesus will make his bride spotless and she will keep herself pure for his coming.

  "Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.  
" 1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

The wrong teaching will encourage the people to believe great and marvelous things about Jesus Christ, but not to obey him to keep themselves pure.  So, look with the proper context to know the true meaning of the word and verify whether it agrees with the wholesome word of God.  Then you cannot be misled.

c. Only Few are Saved

"Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

  One of the disciples asked Jesus Christ whether just a few people are going to be saved. Jesus Christ answered saying that unless they strive to enter through the strait (tight, constricted) gate they cannot enter into eternal life.  He says that many people will seek easier ways to enter, but they will not be able to enter.  If they don't enter into eternal salvation then it is eternal destruction. Easy salvation is not true salvation, but it is counterfeit salvation, which is deception and eternal destruction.

2. Gospel of Jesus Christ

God lives in the glorious place called heaven.
  "2 Chr 30:27 their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven."
  The heaven is so glorious that even the description of heaven cannot enter in the minds of people.  God purposed to give the godly glory to some people so that they may live with him, rule with him and be a part of him forever.  So, God chose a group of people in order to give them this privilege.

 "Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways:" 

  God chose them by their work of righteousness and by their rejoicing in doing their work.  This message is the good news (the gospel) which rewards whosoever believe in Him.  Believe in Him means believe in what Jesus Christ has said, enough to obey Him.  Those who responded with their obedience will receive the reward according to their works, including to sit on His throne and to rule with Him.

a. Author of the Gospel

Isaiah prophesied that the Holy Spirit has anointed Jesus Christ to preach the gospel.
"Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel--." 

Jesus Christ has preached the true Gospel.
 "Matt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, ---Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

Jesus Christ told His disciples to preach His gospel even before His crucifixion.
 "Luke 9:6 --- they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere."

 If Jesus Christ and his disciples preached the gospel, then the message of his death and resurrection could not have been the gospel.  We are so much used to the message of his death as the pivotal point of the gospel.  For sure, His death and resurrection are important to us because that is the hope of our resurrection.  However, we have to remember that Jesus Christ preached the gospel before His crucifixion.  The author of the gospel was preaching the true gospel which is the gospel of Jesus Christ and all other gospels are false.

b. Author of Salvation

"Heb 5:9 --- he (Jesus Christ) became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" 

  Jesus Christ is the author of salvation.  He gives that salvation to all those who obey him.  Our obedience to Jesus Christ is the important factor for our salvation.  The factor of salvation is not what we believe about him.  So many people believe the right things about Him, but will not obey His commandments.  According to the scripture they will not have His salvation.  The knowledge about the author and all the things He has done, etc, are very important for us to know.  However, salvation depends not on our knowledge but on our obedience to what he preached.

"John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."
He has preached the words of eternal life, which is the gospel, which brings eternal life to those who do according to His words.

c. Commandments of Christ

God the Father who was dwelling in the Son of Man Jesus was speaking through Him.
  "John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, ---. 24 --- the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." 
  The commandments of God were given in the Old Testament settings, through Moses.  However, they are spiritual. 
"Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual:" 
In the New Testament, it was given in the perspective of the kingdom of heaven.  It is neither pertained to the kingdom of Israel, nor pertained to the things of this world.  God reveals the mysteries of His kingdom to His disciples, but to others it is not given to understand.
  "Matt 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." 
The spiritual revelation of the commandments was taught to the disciples and is recorded in the Word of God.  Example:
  "Matt 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.... 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."  

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the everlasting gospel.  Nobody can change it.  In the event that we are not obeying and preaching the true gospel of Jesus Christ, the angels will preach it.
  "Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people"

d. Obey His Commandments

"Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual:"
Because the law of God is spiritual, a worldly person cannot obey them.  We must be spiritual to obey His commandments.
"John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"
  It will be possible for us to keep the commandments of God, if we love Jesus Christ.  He says that if we love Him we will obey Him.  God will give us the Holy Spirit so that He may abide in us.  We will have no difficulty to obey the commandments with His abiding.
  "John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
  The Holy Spirit will abide in us if we are His disciples.  If we are of the world, we cannot receive the abiding of the Holy Spirit.   But those who love God enough to receive His Spirit, will obey his commandments.  If we have the Holy Spirit then the commandments are not grievous, that is, we can obey naturally.
  "1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 
 

e. Jesus the Example

God, the Creator of everything that exist, became a man in order to bring salvation to us.  While He was a man, He did two important things so that we may benefit.  Because of His death, He became the author of salvation to forgive us.  He lived a life of example so that we may follow His example to live a holy life and receive a great reward.   

(1) We all know that He died for our sins.  It is true.  We also have to look at the process of how His death brings our salvation.  As a man, He submitted Himself to God totally.  Please read the following scripture verses, word by word very carefully.  He surrendered Himself completely in obedience to God and He became the Author of eternal salvation.  This salvation is given only to those who obey Him.

  "Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"

  We have to obtain this salvation by the obedience with trembling and fear.

"Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."  

(2) Most of us do not know that He has lived a sample life as a Man, for us to follow.  That life is a life without sin.
"1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin,--" 
  He lived a holy life and asked His followers to live a holy life.
"1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
  In order to live a holy life we have to be saved from our sins.  Jesus Christ became a man not only to forgive the obedient but also to lead them in a holy life.

f. God Chooses His People

In the process of choosing this group of people, God became a man and preached the gospel of the kingdom of heaven.
  "Matt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom…" 
  Jesus Christ sent his disciples to preach the same gospel to the people.
  "Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."  
 Those who loved God, believed the gospel and followed his steps in obedience are the chosen people to inherit his kingdom.
  "1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" 
These are the chosen of God to inherit his kingdom.
  "2 Tim 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:" 
They will become joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
"Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
  Think of the status difference between the Creator and His creation.  This gospel offers an opportunity for a man to become a joint heir with his Creator and to be united with His glory forever.  Is not this gospel the good news?

g. Reward of the Gospel

A reward is not totally free. Even though you will not pay for it, you have to deserve it.  Any reward we receive will be of much greater value than our effort.
  "Matt 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.  Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
  We see that the reward is according to the work we do in the path of life which God has ordained.  The punishment for the work of the flesh is also called a reward.  That means that the punishment will also be more severe than expected.  The rewards for the good works will range, from barely escaping the punishment of the burning in the fire, to sit in the throne of God with Jesus Christ, to rule with him, having the same glory as He has.

There is a phrase my teacher used to encourage her student with.  That is, "Aim at the sun.  You may at least hit at the moon."  If we apply this principle here, we may say that, aim to sit in the throne of God with the glory of Jesus Christ, rather than aiming just to escape hell.  Those who are planning just to escape hell may not escape it.

3. The Great commission

After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, just before his ascension to heaven, Jesus Christ has commissioned his disciples to preach his gospel.  In the recording of the most important commission, the Holy Spirit reveals the meaning of the gospel to us.

  "Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  Matt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." 

Here the same commission is given in different sentences.  In Mark, he tells them to preach the gospel.  In Matthew, the same message is repeated in an elaborated way.  He tells the disciples to teach them to observe all things which he had commanded them to do.  So, comparing these two verses, we have the preaching of the gospel is the same as to teach them to observe all things which Jesus Christ has commanded his disciples to do.

Jesus Christ points out that this preaching of the gospel of the kingdom of God must start by the preaching of repentance and remission of sins, which are the basics or pre-requisites to the gospel.
"Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

The next thing Jesus Christ told his disciples was to wait and to receive the Holy Spirit before preaching.  When the Holy Spirit came upon them they preached with power and were witnesses unto Jesus Christ.  "Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.  Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
  God has not changed his rule.  There are many people preaching the gospel without receiving the Holy Spirit upon themselves.  They fall victims to the deception of Satan.  They preach false gospel. God calls them workers of iniquity.

           4. The False Gospels         

From the beginning of Christianity, there has been a constant battle of the devil to corrupt the gospel of Jesus Christ in so many ways.  Even from the garden of Eden, the devil uses very subtle (elusive, crafty, devious) methods to deceive people.  He talks very boastfully about Jesus Christ and at the same time pollutes His gospel.

a. False Workers

There are diverse kinds of doctrines coming from denominational Churches.  Even though they criticize each other, they live with each other very comfortably.  There are no audible alarms sounded to catch the attention of Christians.  However, the Bible has sounded the alarm against false Christs, false apostles, false prophets, false teachers and false brethren.  We should not ignore these alarms especially when Jesus Christ himself sounded the alarms the loudest.

  "Matt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Matt 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many... 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." 
  These false workers are placed in the Churches directly by Satan.  They are the tares.  They are preaching another gospel by twisting the Scriptures.
  "Matt 13:25 --- his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this." 
 

b. Escape False Workers

Spiritually mature Christians who are deep rooted in the Word of God can discern the false doctrine of Satan.
  "Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
  But how can an ordinary Christian detect the deception of the devil? They can discern by the following way.  Look what Satan has done in the Garden of Eden to deceive Eve.  Satan promised her that they will not die if they disobey God and eat the fruit.
"Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die."
  Satan is a deceiver.  

Take this as an example.  God meant what he has said.  If some preacher tries to convince the people to tolerate sin or not to have guilt for sin in their life, then the preacher is deceiving the people.  If the preacher assures the people that they will not be punished because God loves them, then it is definite that the devil is speaking through that preacher.

  "2 Cor 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." 
These preachers will be punished according to their works.  Not only the preachers, but they who are deceived by them will also be punished as Eve and Adam were also punished.

c. Another Gospel

There are many warnings in the Bible about another gospel, perverting or twisting the true gospel.
"Matt 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." 
There are no other gospels other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ preached and taught His gospel to His disciples so that they can continue to preach the same gospel.  Later He revealed the gospel through the Holy Spirit.

"2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 
  Whoever cannot endure the true gospel, desires other teachings which are easier to follow.  Their teachers made gospels for themselves.  They are easy to follow, but they are counterfeit.

d. Gospel of Apostle Paul

Apostle Paul was brought in to the picture many years after the ascension of Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ had to reveal the gospel to him.  Jesus Christ did not change the gospel when he was revealing it to Paul.  The same gospel which was taught to His disciples was revealed to Paul also. But some preachers say that Apostle Paul was given a different gospel, which is different from the gospel of Jesus Christ, that was custom made for the gentiles.  There is no difference between Jews and Gentiles for salvation.
  "Acts 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.  Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him."  

Apostle Paul went to the other apostles (which were of reputation) at Jerusalem, who were the disciples of Christ, to confirm the things which he was preaching to the gentiles and to get their approval because he wanted to be sure (lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain).
  "Gal 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain." 
  Apostle Paul took that much of a precaution to make sure that he preaches the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Apostle Peter confirms that apostle Paul also was preaching and teaching the same gospel as the other apostles.  Apostle Paul uses high eloquence and logic to write his epistles, since he was a highly educated man.  Apostle Peter writes that unlearned people and unstable people (who cannot be stable in the ways of God) will twist (wrest) the gospel of God, and they are twisting them for their own destruction.
  "2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 
 Apostle Paul did not twist the scriptures or he did not preach another gospel.  But false preachers, who are unstable and unlearned, are twisting the scriptures to preach false gospel.  Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul are preaching the same gospel which is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

e. Worldly Gospel

The gospel of Jesus Christ is preached in many ways.  Preachers show concern about different kinds of needs of human life as healing, prosperity, peace, happiness, safety, etc.  They also preach about salvation. However, salvation which is an escape from the punishment in hell is presented as the easiest thing in the world to obtain.  They say, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.  It is so easy and the job is done.  There is not even a single Christian who does not believe on Jesus Christ.  There are many Jews, Hindus, and others who accept the prayers of Christians for many things including salvation.  So, if it is the case, the vast majority of the world population is saved from eternal punishment.  But, is this true?  

If a gospel says that we are saved by faith without the works of righteousness, that is another false gospel.  "James 2:19 --- thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" 
  The gospel must be obeyed. If we preach the gospel to believe it rather than to obey it, then we have just preached a false gospel.
"Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 2 Thes 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction ---" 

5. How to escape Hell?

Most people will think that it is too hard to achieve the high positions in the kingdom.  We agree with you to say that it is real hard and it demands true dedication.  However, keep the option open.  When you are a little stronger spiritually, you may give it another try.  Let us look into the minimum requirement to get to heaven.
 

a. Born Again

According to the Bible a true Christian will have two births.  The first one being born of the flesh, the next is born of the spirit.  Jesus Christ says that we must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God.
"John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 
When a man is convicted of his sins by the Holy Spirit, if he responded with repentance of broken heart and contrite spirit, God forgives him and gives him the spirit of man, in order to pursue his spiritual life.
 "John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." 
  In the same fashion a person receives a body of flesh at the physical birth, a person receives a body of spirit (the spirit man) from God as he is born of the spirit, which is his second birth.  Now this person can see the kingdom of God because of the spirit man.

b. Water and the Spirit

We just saw that born again is the second birth which is the act of a person receiving the spiritual body or the spirit man in addition to the physical body.  This enables the person to see the kingdom of God.  Jesus Christ says that a person must be born of water and of the Spirit in order to enter into the kingdom of God.
"John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." 
Born of water means that a person must be washed by the water of the Word and the person must become a renewed person.  This means that he must obey the word of God as he continues in it.
  "Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." 
As he is obedient to the word of God, he receives the Holy Spirit from God.
  "John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." 
  As he submits himself totally to the will of God, the Holy Spirit will lead his total life, as a mighty wind carries a particle wherever the wind want to carry.
"John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." 
This person is born of the water and of the Spirit.  This believer enters the kingdom of God.

c. Scribes and Pharisees

"Matt 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
  Our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.  One thing very favorable to us is the fact that they were hypocrites.  But they were very religious and very zealous for God.  They observed all the ceremonies and gave tithes even in negligible things.  They prayed long prayers and witnessed for God. They taught the right things.  But they did not obey their own teachings.  We have to take this as a caution.  So if we are zealous for the Lord, learn the truth and live according to the truth, then we have exceeded the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees.

6. Summary

God created people in order to beget Children for Himself.  He gives commandments to the people, chooses the obedient, purifies them to the point that they are without spot or wrinkle and grants them the Spirit and power to become holy and perfect.  He will raise the holy people with the glory of Jesus and declare them as sons of God.  These men and women will live eternally with the status of God as joint heirs with Jesus Christ.  "Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth ---.  Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; ---.  Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
This news is the good news, the gospel of God to us.

7. Conclusion

God created the whole universe and all the things in it with its minute details.  We are His creation, taken from the dust of the earth, and we will return to the dust.  But everybody will be called back from the dust again to receive the rewards according to whatever we have done while we were living on earth.  Our life on earth is considerably short when compared to eternal life.  If we have perfect obedience in this short life to suffer with Jesus, then we will reign with Jesus Christ throughout eternity.  Won’t it be marvelous? Is it not the good news?  This is the true gospel.

"Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together   "2 tim 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:  "Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."