The Infinite Gospel: A Foundational Primer to the Truth—Answers for Life

By Greg Leininger

Truth versus liesthis is the greatest battle in the universe. The singular truth of God wars against the many lies of Satan. There are a lot of ideas in the world about who God is, who we are, and why we exist. This war is real and there is so much at stake. The lies of Satan have a devastating effect on our lives and on the world around us. Lies are always destructive, and every idea outside of the absolute, unchanging truth is a lie. The truth always matters, in every arena of our lives, with unavoidable consequences for missing its mark. The truth lights up the answers for life, bringing us the understanding and wisdom that fully equip us for joy-filled eternal lives, starting where we are, here and now.

The core message of Gods amazing truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the most powerful message in the world. It is the most important message to get right. The consequence of receiving or rejecting this essential message is infinite life or infinite death. Come, discover the truth for yourselfand then share it with others!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Feb 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781490899992

Greg Leininger

Greg Leininger is a passionate student of God’s Word, pursuing hard after truth with the conviction of what matters for eternity. He actively serves in various leadership roles at his church and serves as president of an orphan care ministry in San Antonio, Texas, where he resides with his wife and six children.

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Copyright © 2016 Greg Leininger.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WestBow Press

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-9998-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-9999-2 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/04/2016

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

God

Creation

Sin

God’s Intervention

The Response

New Birth

Godly Inheritance

Conclusion

About The Author

Endnotes

"The grass withers, the flower fades,

but the word of our God will stand forever."

Isaiah 40:8

"For it is no empty word for you,

but your very life"

Deuteronomy 32:47a

PREFACE

What in the world is going on? It’s impossible to ignore the indications of brokenness and suffering that infects the earth. We demandingly search for answers with every tragedy around us, be it close to home and family, or the next breaking news of natural disaster, war, or further acts of senseless violence.

Presented in this book are fundamental, biblical worldview principles that will help shape your perspective and understanding of every major area of life. It is from your worldview that you understand God, yourself, and the world around you—how you make sense of it all. A biblical worldview helps us see things the way they really are, and by that truth, releases us from the bondage and destruction of a life without suitable knowledge. Your worldview has a profound impact on your relationships and the decisions you make in life. When we understand these basic truths taken straight from the Word of God, and learn to live in light of them, we are well prepared to grow in an ever-deepening wisdom and knowledge, and into rich relationship with God Himself—the very source of life and truth. A biblical worldview provides the reason for our brokenness and pain, as well as the roadmap to healing and joy. The truth of the gospel first helps us see our captivity—as we are—then it sets us free.

The included biblical passages in footnotes are intended to be an integral part of this book, for here is the real transforming power of the gospel message—in the very Word of God. Please be sure to read all the footnotes as you read through this book. This will be like applying the strength of meat to my otherwise dry, skeletal text. My writing was intended to be very condensed, with the power and expounding provided in the Scriptures. Read every one, slowly and thoughtfully, as you read through this book. It may be a short book, but this is not a quick read. I want to walk you through some key Scriptures to reveal the power of His Word, and that by receiving this message, you would be brought to salvation,¹ and find joy in the endless pursuit of the knowledge of God in His Word. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).

In the footnotes, the bracketed words provided for clarification are mine, not Scripture. The underlining is my emphasis.

INTRODUCTION

The gospel truthfully answers all the big questions in life: Who is God? Who am I? Where did I come from and where am I going? Why is there so much evil and suffering in the world? Is there any real hope? How am I to live? Why should I care? What really matters? – These all have definitive answers and God himself has made them clearly available to us in His written Word.² By the end of this book, you should have a much better grasp of these answers. More importantly, you will be more equipped to know where to look for further study: the life-giving true Word of God.

This book introduces you to the starting point on the message of who God is and who man is in relation to Him. The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, as understood in the wider context of God’s complete Word to us. More specifically, the gospel message proclaims the good news of life and liberty to a dead and captive world. Nothing else could be more newsworthy. It gives us life, guides us through life, and prepares us for eternity. This incredible information comes to us by faith in God through the free gift of Jesus Christ. It is to be proclaimed throughout the world, that people would hear it and believe.³

The gospel is truly infinite—so vast, it could never be overstated. Because the gospel comes from the knowledge of God, the unending richness of the gospel prohibits us from ever fully comprehending it, but allows for continual growth on the path of truth. Therefore, much of the wisdom of God is believed in faith by our finite minds, trusting God’s goodness and infinite perspective of all things. The knowledge of the gospel is not something you fully attained in Sunday school. It is not elementary knowledge, and it’s not simply wrapped up in four spiritual laws. It is too much—too rich to be possibly mastered in this life.⁴ To be clear, this little book is not an attempt to fully contain the gospel, as no volume of books could ever declare all that Christ has done.⁵ But that is precisely my point; the gospel is infinite in its power, knowledge, and importance. It is just as practical and relevant to the believer from the day he first learned of it, as it is several decades later, if not more so. It is not something we grow out of, but something we grow into. So, part of my aim is to see this short message serve as a springboard, to help clarify many fundamental issues at the core of true, saving, Christian faith.

We receive all our understanding of the gospel as revealed only in the authoritative, infallible and complete Word of God: the Bible. The Bible is all-sufficient to bring us wisdom leading to salvation and growth in the knowledge and righteousness of God.⁶ Here in the sixty-six books of the God-inspired Holy Bible unfolds the great drama of incredible creation, foolish sin, utter destruction, and finally, inconceivable redemption for those who trust in the one true God. Because the gospel encompasses the knowledge of God, its depth and breadth can be explored and learned throughout a lifetime, with the benefits of its knowledge, understanding, and application ever increasing. Yes, learning and applying the gospel is a never ending, life-enhancing endeavor.

GOD

Holiness of God

The holiness of God creates the basis of the gospel. It is here we begin the journey of