Welcome to the Journey
Hi, I’m Josh Summers—a father, husband, disabled veteran, seminary student, and most importantly, someone radically transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This blog is a space where I plan to unpack the beauty, depth, necessity, and urgency of the Gospel message, one post at a time. I plan to start with the Gospel, but later I plan to go into some doctrinal depth and touch on subjects that others either tread lightly on or stomp loudly across. My goal is to think, act, and believe biblically about all things, to “have the mind of Christ”, to be more conformed to His image, and I pray that through this blog you will too.
In this first series, we’ll explore “Who? Who? What? What? What? What?” method of sharing the Gospel—a biblical, faithful framework that answers five essential questions to clearly present the Gospel:
- Who is God?
- Who are you?
- What did God do?
- What must you do?
- What happens if you don’t?
- What happens if you do?
Let’s begin with the heart of the Gospel as revealed in an obscure verse of Scripture – Proverbs 17:15:
“He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.”
— Proverbs 17:15
At first glance, this verse seems to contradict the nature of God. Scripture is filled with examples of God justifying sinful people—calling them righteous, even friends. One narrative describes a murderous adulterer as “a man after God’s own heart.” How can a just God justify the wicked or condemn the righteous without violating His own holiness?
This tension lies at the very heart of the Gospel and is resolved in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
1. Who Is God?
Before we can understand the Gospel, we must begin with God Himself. God is not merely loving—He is holy, just, and righteous. He is the Creator of all things, the Lawgiver, and the Judge. His character is perfect, and His justice is uncompromising.
Proverbs 17:15 reveals that God detests injustice. He calls both the justification of the wicked and the condemnation of the righteous an abomination. This isn’t just poetic language—it’s a declaration of divine intolerance toward moral corruption.
God’s justice is not like human justice, which can be swayed by emotion, a bribe, or sheer ignorance. His justice is rooted in His nature. He cannot overlook sin, nor can He falsely accuse the innocent. He is the standard of all truth and righteousness.
This is why the Gospel begins with God—not with us. If we misunderstand who God is, we will misunderstand everything else.
2. Who Are You?
Once we understand who God is, we must ask the next question: Who are you?
This seems to be the big question in this day and age. “Who am I?” While people are confused about morality, Scripture is clear: in our natural state, we are not righteous. Romans 3:10–12 says:
“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.”
This is not a flattering assessment. It’s a diagnosis. We are sinners—guilty, rebellious, and spiritually dead. We have broken God’s law in thought, word, and deed. We are not victims of sin; we are perpetrators.
Theologian R.C. Sproul called sin “cosmic treason”—a willful rebellion against the rightful King of the universe. Every lie, every lustful thought, every selfish act is a declaration of independence from God.
We are the “wicked” mentioned in Proverbs 17:15. And if God were to justify us without a righteous basis, He would violate His own nature. That’s the problem the Gospel solves.
3. What Did God Do?
This is where the Gospel turns from terrifying to glorious.
God, in His mercy, did not leave us condemned. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to satisfy His justice and extend His grace. On the cross, Jesus bore the full wrath of God against sin. This is the doctrine of propitiation—God’s wrath absorbed by Christ.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:21
This is the heart of the Gospel. Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, took on the punishment we deserved. He didn’t merely sympathize with sinners—He stood in their place. The wrath of God, which should have fallen on us, fell on Him.
This is what theologians call substitutionary atonement. Jesus was our substitute, and through His death, He made atonement—He satisfied the justice of God and made peace between God and man.
This is not divine injustice. It is divine mercy through justice. God didn’t overlook sin; He punished it fully—in Christ. And because of that, He can now justify the wicked without becoming an abomination to Himself. Proverbs 17:15 is not violated—it is fulfilled.
4. What Must You Do?
The Gospel demands a response. It is not merely information to be understood—it is a call to action.
Jesus began His public ministry with these words:
“Repent and believe in the gospel.” — Mark 1:15
To repent means to turn away from sin, self-righteousness, and self-reliance. It is a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. It’s not just feeling sorry—it’s surrendering.
To believe means to trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. It’s not adding Jesus to your life—it’s submitting your life to Him. Faith is not a work; it’s the empty hand that receives the gift of grace.
Salvation is not earned. It is received. And it is received by repentance and faith.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9
Salvation is not earned by good deeds, religious rituals, or moral improvement. It is entirely by grace—God’s unmerited favor—and it is received through faith. Faith is not blind; it is trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is resting in His righteousness, not your own.
Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. You cannot truly trust Christ without turning from sin, and you cannot truly turn from sin without trusting Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit living in you and working through you. This is the call of the Gospel: repent and believe.
5. What Happens If You Don’t?
This is the most sobering part of the Gospel message. If you reject Christ—if you refuse to repent and believe—you remain under condemnation.
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
— John 3:18
God’s justice demands that sin be punished. If you do not accept the substitute provided in Christ, you must bear the penalty yourself. This is not harsh—it’s just. The same justice that sent Christ to the cross will one day judge every soul.
Hell is not a metaphor. It is the eternal consequence of rejecting the only means of salvation. And that’s why the Gospel is urgent. It’s not just good news—it’s soul-saving, life-changing news.
6. What If You Do?
The Gospel doesn’t end at the cross—it bursts forth from the empty tomb. If you repent and believe in Jesus Christ, you are not only forgiven—you are made new.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.’”
— John 11:25
Believing the Gospel means you are united with Christ—not only in His death, but in His resurrection. This is the doctrine of regeneration and new life. You are no longer spiritually dead; you are alive in Christ. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave now works in you.
- You are justified—declared righteous before God.
- You are adopted—welcomed into God’s family.
- You are sanctified—being transformed into the image of Christ.
- You are sealed—given the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of your inheritance.
- You are promised resurrection—a future bodily resurrection and eternal life with God.
The resurrection is not just a historical event—it is a present reality and a future hope. It means your faith is not in vain. It means death is not the end. It means your life has purpose, power, and eternal promise.
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”
— Romans 8:11
This is the joy of the Gospel: not just that we escape judgment, but that we gain Christ. Eternal life doesn’t begin when you die—it begins the moment you believe.
17:15 Revisited: The Gospel Is Not a Contradiction—It’s the Cure
Let’s return to the verse that started this journey:
“He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.”
This verse is not a contradiction—it is a revelation. It exposes the dilemma of divine justice and mercy. And it points us to the only solution: Jesus Christ.
In Christ, God does not violate His justice by justifying the wicked. He satisfies it. The punishment is paid. The wrath is poured out. The debt is canceled. And the sinner is declared righteous—not because of who they are, but because of who Christ is.
Likewise, God does not condemn the righteous who trust in Him. He welcomes them. He adopts them. He delights in them. Because their righteousness is not their own—it is Christ’s righteousness imputed to them by faith.
Proverbs 17:15 is not a problem for the Gospel—it is a foreshadow of it.
Join the Journey
As we begin this blog series, my prayer is that you’ll not only understand the Gospel more clearly, but that you’ll be transformed by it. Whether you’re a believer seeking deeper roots or someone exploring Christianity for the first time, this message is for you.
The Gospel is not just a doctrine—it’s a declaration. It’s not just a message—it’s a miracle. And it’s not just a truth to be studied—it’s a treasure to be shared.
In the coming weeks, we’ll unpack each of these five questions in greater detail. We’ll explore Scripture, wrestle with hard truths, and rejoice in the grace of God. I invite you to walk with me through this journey—one post at a time.
Let’s discover together how the Gospel is not a contradiction—it’s the cure.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If this message stirred something in your heart, don’t ignore it.
✅ Repent and believe the Gospel.
✅ Subscribe to the blog to follow this series and deepen your understanding of God’s Word.
✅ Share this post with someone who needs to hear the truth.
✅ Reach out if you have questions or want to talk more about what it means to follow Christ.
✅ Feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or send me a message. I would love to hear back from you!
You’re not alone on this journey. Let’s walk it together—one step at a time.
-Josh
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