The Gospel: The Only Truly Good News for a Fallen World
ARTICLE • Humanity’s fallen condition is profoundly disturbing, but the gospel’s good news is that redemption, restoration, and transformation are provided through faith in God’s Son. This article (non-comprehensively) lists 64 ways God answers sin’s devastating effects with grace in Jesus Christ.
Read time: 9 min
The word gospel comes from the Greek euangelion, meaning “good news.” But what makes it good news? For many, the message of Jesus Christ seems unnecessary—if not outright foolish, weak, or even offensive. The modern world often assumes that people are basically good and capable of forging their own remedies, meaning, and destiny without Jesus Christ. The idea that we need redemption from God can feel outdated, narrow-minded, and intrusive.
No Remedy Apart from Christ
Yet, when we take an honest look at ourselves and the world around us, we see brokenness everywhere—suffering, injustice, emptiness, and decay. No human philosophy, technological advancement, or social movement has ever succeeded in curing the deep-seated corruption of the human heart. But that has not stopped mankind from trying. Education seeks to teach people out of their condition. Commercialism promises that the right possessions will bring happiness and fulfillment. Politics claims that new policies and leadership can create a just and prosperous society. Psychology offers self-help and therapy to mend inner wounds. Science and medicine strive to extend life before death inevitably comes. Entertainment distracts from the weight of life’s burdens. Humanitarian efforts work to alleviate suffering, often without addressing its spiritual cause. Philosophy searches for meaning and ethics apart from God. False religion offers countless alternatives to salvation, promising enlightenment, karma, or self-actualization. However, none of these can ultimately change humanity's fallen condition.
What Is the Christian Gospel?
The gospel is simply yet profoundly the good news that God, in his grace, has provided complete salvation for sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit, granting forgiveness, transformation, and eternal life to all who trust in him.
Slightly more nuanced, the gospel declares the exceedingly good news that our sovereign and holy God has acted in history to redeem a fallen world by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to save sinners. The eternal Son of God took on human flesh, lived a life of perfect righteousness in obedience to God’s law, and bore the full weight of divine wrath for our sins on the cross. Through his atoning death and victorious resurrection, Christ secured complete forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation for all who trust in him. This salvation is entirely the work of God—by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—not based on human effort or merit but accomplished through Christ’s finished work and applied by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. In him, those who were once dead in their sins are made alive, adopted into God’s family, and given the unshakable hope of eternal glory. The gospel is the ultimate good news that, in Christ, all things will be made new, and God’s redemptive purposes will be fully realized in an eternal kingdom that will never end.
Not One Solution. The Only Solution
As will become evident below, the gospel is not just one solution among many. It is the ultimate good news for humanity that is profoundly fallen—every single person who has ever lived. There is no better news in all the world!
No matter how deep our fallenness is, the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ is greater still. He redeems, restores, and reverses every curse of sin. Through faith in Jesus Christ alone, we are brought from death to life, from despair to hope, from wrath to grace, and from brokenness to restoration. The list below highlights the devastating effects of sin—and the incomparable remedy found only in Jesus Christ.
64 Ways Christ Remedies Our Fallenness
The following list is admittedly overwhelming but not comprehensive. It categorizes the human condition under the headings of (1) spiritual condition, (2) moral and ethical depravity, (3) psychological and emotional distress, (4) physical consequences, (5) social and cultural corruption, and (6) ecological decay.
Though not every aspect will resonate with your personal experience, perhaps you’ll see yourself in some of the haunting aspects of sin and fallenness. The “good news” is yours to claim by confessing your sins and turning in faith to the only One who can answer the human condition universal to us all (Rom 3:23–24).
1. Spiritual Condition
Alienated from God – Cut off from His presence and fellowship (Isa 59:2). → Reconciled to God – Through Christ’s atonement, believers are restored to fellowship with God (Col 1:21–22).
Spiritually dead – Lacking true spiritual life and unable to seek God apart from His grace (Eph 2:1). → Made Alive in Christ – God sovereignly regenerates and grants new life by grace through faith (Eph 2:1–5).
Hostile to God – Opposed to His truth and righteousness (Rom 8:7). → At Peace with God – Christ’s work reconciles enemies into children of God (Rom 5:10).
Blind to the truth – Unable to perceive spiritual realities (2 Cor 4:4). → Given Spiritual Sight – The Holy Spirit removes blindness and illumines the truth of the gospel (2 Cor 4:6).
Idolatrous – Worshiping creation rather than the Creator (Rom 1:25). → True Worshipers of God – The gospel turns our affections from idols to the one true God (1 Thess 1:9).
Under divine wrath – Subject to God’s just judgment (John 3:36). → Justified by Christ’s Blood – Jesus bore God’s wrath, satisfying divine justice on behalf of believers (Rom 5:9).
Unable to please God – Even good works are tainted by sin (Heb 11:6). → Declared Righteous in Christ – Justification through faith grants perfect righteousness before God (2 Cor 5:21).
Destined to die – Physical death is inevitable (Heb 9:27). → Resurrection Life in Christ – Jesus has defeated death, granting eternal life (John 11:25–26).
Doomed to eternal punishment – Separated from God’s presence forever without redemption (Matt 25:46). → Secure in Eternal Life – In Christ, there is no condemnation but everlasting joy in God’s presence (Rom 8:1).
Suppressing the truth – Rejecting what is known about God in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18). → Led into All Truth – The Spirit convicts of sin and guides into righteousness (John 16:13).
Darkened mind – Incapable of understanding the things of God (Eph 4:18). → Renewed by the Gospel – The mind is transformed by the renewing power of God’s Word (Rom 12:2).
Spiritually enslaved – Bound to sin and unable to free oneself (John 8:34). → Liberated in Christ – The Son sets sinners free from the dominion of sin (John 8:36).
Under Satan’s dominion – Living under the influence of the evil one (1 John 5:19). → Transferred into Christ’s Kingdom – Believers are delivered from the domain of darkness (Col 1:13).
Lacking true wisdom – Foolish in understanding and decisions (Prov 1:7). → Wisdom in Christ – Jesus becomes wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification for His people (1 Cor 1:30).
Estranged from God’s love – Outside of His covenant relationship (Eph 2:12). → Adopted as God’s Children – In Christ, believers are brought into God’s family as sons and daughters (Eph 1:5).
Rebellious in nature – Preferring autonomy over submission to God (Isa 53:6). → Given a New Heart – The Spirit transforms rebellion into joyful obedience (Ezek 36:26).
Unwilling to seek God – Naturally avoiding Him rather than pursuing Him (Rom 3:11). → Sought and Saved by Christ – Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
Hardhearted – Resistant to correction and spiritual conviction (Heb 3:13). → Hearts of Flesh Replacing Hearts of Stone – God grants a tender heart that responds to His Word (Heb 8:10).
Trusting in false religions – Turning to idols instead of the true God (Jer 2:13). → Faith in the True and Living God – Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
Deceived by worldly philosophies – Believing in lies rather than the truth (Col 2:8). → Captive to Christ’s Truth – The gospel demolishes false wisdom and renews the mind (Col 2:8)
2. Moral and Ethical Depravity
Disobedient – Naturally rebellious against God’s commands (Titus 3:3). → Transformed for Obedience – Through regeneration, the Holy Spirit enables believers to walk in obedience to God's law (Ezek 36:27).
Deceitful – Given to lies and dishonesty (Jer 17:9). → Renewed in Truth – In Christ, we are sanctified by the truth, and our speech reflects honesty and integrity (Eph 4:25).
Selfrighteous – Justifying oneself rather than seeking true righteousness in Christ (Luke 18:11–12). → Righteousness Through Faith – The gospel proclaims that righteousness is imputed to us through faith in Christ alone, not by works (Phil 3:9).
Guiltridden – Burdened by the weight of sin (Ps 38:4). → Justified by Grace – Christ's atonement removes our guilt, and we are justified by His grace, giving us peace with God (Rom 8:33–34).
Shamefilled – Hiding from God and others, just as Adam and Eve did (Gen 3:10). → Covered in Christ’s Righteousness – Jesus bore our shame on the cross, restoring our honor before God (Heb 12:2).
Hardened in sin – Repeated sin dulls the conscience (1 Tim 4:2). → Given a New Heart – The Holy Spirit grants hearts of flesh that respond to God’s conviction and lead to repentance (Jer 24:7).
Impure in thoughts and actions – Defiled in every area of life (Matt 5:28). → Sanctified by Christ – His blood and the Spirit's power purify and enable believers to walk in holiness (Titus 2:14).
Violent – Prone to anger, aggression, and bloodshed (Gen 6:11). → Transformed into Peacemakers – The gospel calls us to peace, making us children of God (Matt 5:9).
Greedy – Seeking personal gain at the expense of others (Luke 12:15). → Content and Generous in Christ – The gospel frees us from love of money, teaching contentment and generosity (2 Cor 9:8).
Lustful – Driven by distorted and excessive desires (1 John 2:16). → Empowered for Purity – The Spirit renews our desires, enabling selfcontrol and holiness (Gal 5:16).
Hypocritical – Pretending to be righteous while full of sin (Matt 23:28). → Sincere Faith in Christ – The gospel calls us to genuine transformation, making us true worshipers (Matt 23:26).
Quick to justify sin – Excusing wrongdoing instead of repenting (Prov 28:13). → Called to True Repentance – The gospel urges us to confess and be cleansed through Christ’s righteousness (1 John 1:9).
Boastful and arrogant – Exalting self rather than God (James 4:6). → Humbled by Grace – The gospel reveals our dependence on God and teaches us to boast only in Christ (James 4:10).
Covetous – Desiring what belongs to others (Exod 20:17). → Satisfied in Christ – Jesus fulfills our deepest needs, redirecting us from earthly desires to heavenly treasures (Phil 4:19).
Opposing righteousness – Loving what is evil and rejecting what is good (Isa 5:20). → Loving Righteousness – The Spirit renews our affections, causing us to hate sin and love holiness (Rom 12:9).
Corrupt in judgment – Twisting justice for personal gain (Mic 3:9–11). → Acting Justly in Christ – The gospel calls believers to uphold true justice with humility and mercy (Mic 6:8).
Lacking integrity – Saying one thing but doing another (Prov 11:3). → Transformed into People of Truth – Christ calls us to honest living, letting our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no” (Matt 5:37).
Lacking gratitude – Failing to acknowledge God’s provision (Rom 1:21). → Thankful in Christ – The gospel cultivates gratitude in all circumstances, recognizing every good gift from God (1 Thess 5:18).
Despising correction – Rejecting discipline and rebuke (Prov 12:1). → Receiving God’s Loving Discipline – In Christ, believers embrace correction as part of sanctification (Heb 12:6).
Worshiping self – Making personal desires the highest authority (2 Tim 3:2). → Denying Self to Follow Christ – The gospel calls us to submit our desires to Christ’s lordship (Luke 9:23).
3. Psychological and Emotional Distress
Hopeless – Unable to find lasting meaning and purpose (Eph 2:12). → Hope in Christ – The gospel proclaims Christ as our living hope, securing an imperishable inheritance for believers (1 Pet 1:3).
Fearful – Anxious about life, death, and the unknown (Luke 12:29–30). → Perfect Love Casts Out Fear – In Christ, fear is conquered by His love, assuring believers of God’s care and salvation (1 John 4:18).
Depressed – Overwhelmed by despair and sadness (Ps 42:11). → Joy in Christ – The gospel brings joy through union with Christ, who lifts the downcast and restores the joy of salvation (Ps 42:11).
Discontent – Never satisfied with what one has (Is 55:2). → Contentment in Christ – The gospel teaches true satisfaction in Christ, who is our sufficiency (Phil 4:11–12).
Confused – Lacking wisdom and discernment (James 1:5). → Wisdom Through Christ – God grants wisdom to those who ask, and Christ is our wisdom and sanctification (1 Cor 1:30).
Restless – Always seeking but never finding peace (Eccl 2:23). → True Rest in Christ – Jesus invites the weary to find peace and fulfillment in Him (Matt 11:28–29).
Selfloathing – Hating oneself due to sin and failure (Rom 7:24). → Identity in Christ – The gospel affirms our worth in Christ, freeing us from condemnation (Rom 8:37–39).
Delusional – Living in deception about reality and morality (2 Thess 2:11). → Truth in Christ – The gospel shines the light of truth, delivering us from spiritual blindness (John 8:32).
Addicted – Enslaved to destructive habits (Prov 23:35). → Freedom in Christ – The gospel sets captives free, breaking the chains of sin through the Spirit’s power (Rom 6:14).
Chronically dissatisfied – Never at peace with circumstances (Eccl 5:10). → Fulfillment in Christ – Jesus is the Bread of Life who quenches our deepest longings (John 4:13–14).
4. Physical Consequences
Subject to disease and sickness – Bodies wear down and fail as a consequence of sin’s curse (Deut 28:60–61). → Ultimate Healing in Christ – The gospel proclaims that Christ’s atoning work ensures the redemption of our bodies, culminating in the resurrection where all sickness and suffering will be abolished (Rev 21:4).
Prone to physical suffering – Pain and hardship are unavoidable in a fallen world (Job 14:1). → Strength to Endure in Christ – Through Christ’s suffering, believers receive grace to endure afflictions, knowing their sufferings produce an eternal weight of glory (2 Cor 12:9–10).
Weakened by toil and labor – Work is cursed and difficult, marked by futility and frustration (Gen 3:17–19). → Eternal Rest in Christ – Jesus, the true Sabbath rest, grants eternal rest to His people, assuring them that their labor in Him is not in vain (Heb 4:9–10).
Aging with decay – The effects of sin bring about bodily deterioration (2 Cor 4:16). → Renewal in Christ – Though outwardly decaying, believers are inwardly renewed daily, awaiting glorified, imperishable bodies (2 Cor 4:16).
Burdened by infertility and miscarriage – The fall subjected human reproduction to sorrow and suffering (Gen 3:16). → Comfort from the Sovereign Giver of Life – God brings peace to the afflicted and the barren, assuring them of His providence and eternal hope (Is 26:3–4).
Vulnerable to disease and calamity – Sickness and widespread affliction mark a world under judgment (Deut 28:58–60). → Refuge in God’s Sovereignty – The gospel proclaims God as our refuge in times of trouble, and through Christ, He secures His people’s ultimate deliverance (John 16:33).
Laboring under exhausting work – Human efforts are met with toil and frustration (Eccl 2:22–23). → Purposeful Work in Christ – In Christ, believers work with eternal purpose, knowing their labors in the Lord will be rewarded in His kingdom (1 Cor 15:58).
Facing inevitable death – Death is the final consequence of sin, returning man to dust (Gen 3:19). → Victory Over Death in Christ – Through Christ’s resurrection, death has lost its sting, and believers are assured of eternal life and bodily resurrection in glory (1 Cor 15:55–57).
5. Social and Cultural Corruption
Celebrating wickedness – Glorifying sin as good and desirable (Isa 5:20). → Loving Righteousness in Christ – The gospel calls us to love what is good and abhor evil, conforming our affections to God’s holiness through the sanctifying work of the Spirit (Rom 12:9).
Destroying families – Undermining God’s design for marriage and parenting (Mal 2:16). → Restoration Through Christ – Jesus redeems the covenant of marriage, calling husbands to love sacrificially, wives to submit joyfully, and children to obey in the Lord, reflecting Christ and the Church (Eph 5:25–6:4).
Promoting false justice – Twisting justice into oppression (Mic 7:3). → True Justice in Christ – The gospel reveals perfect justice and mercy in Christ, calling His people to pursue righteousness with wisdom, humility, and compassion (Isa 1:17).
Encouraging vanity – Prioritizing appearance and status over character (1 Sam 16:7). → Seeking Eternal Treasures – The gospel reorients us to pursue godliness over worldly approval, treasuring Christ above all (Matt 6:19–20).
6. Ecological Decay
Ruining creation – Polluting and exploiting the earth without care (Rom 8:22). → Creation Restored in Christ – The gospel promises a renewed heavens and earth, where creation will be restored in righteousness and freed from its bondage to corruption (Rev 21:1).
Facing natural disasters – Enduring extreme weather as part of the fallen world (Luke 21:11). → Final Restoration Through Christ – Jesus will reverse the effects of the curse and establish a new creation where all things are made new (Rom 8:21).
Experiencing famine and drought – Suffering food shortages due to a cursed earth (Joel 1:10–12). → Abundant Provision in Christ – The redeemed will know no more hunger or suffering, for God will provide abundantly in the new creation (Rev 7:16–17).
The Gospel is "Good News" Only for Those Who Believe and Obey It
The gospel is not only good news about what God has done; it is also a call to respond in faith and repentance of sin. God has provided the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, but the gospel does not allow us to remain passive. The gospel demands a response (Acts 17:30–31). Jesus himself declared,
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
The depth of human sin is great, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ is greater. He calls all people to turn from sin, trust in Christ's sufficient work, and receive the gift of eternal life. In him alone, there is forgiveness and new life. I earnestly pray that you do not delay, for “now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2). ❖
Cite this Article
Footnote: Timothy J. Harris, “The Gospel: The Only Truly ‘Good News’ for the Fallen Human Condition,” Practical Theologian, February 23, 2025, www.practicaltheologian.com/blog/article-z9dtw-69b3c-mjw33.
Bibliography: Harris, Timothy J. “The Gospel: The Only Truly ‘Good News’ for the Fallen Human Condition.” Practical Theologian, February 23, 2025. www.practicaltheologian.com/blog/article-z9dtw-69b3c-mjw33.
