What is the most important problem that the Gospel solves?

Is the gospel meant to meet our needs, satisfy our desire for meaning, transform society, teach us how to live better, lift up the poor, make us rich and healthy? All of these approaches are based on certain ideas about our problems and supposedly claim, «This is what the gospel is about!» But is it really so? Are any of these things the primary problem that the gospel solves?

The Bible answers unequivocally, «No, not one of them.» The Bible clearly teaches that the main problem with humanity is our sin and God’s wrath directed at us because of that sin.

«Who can stand before His anger? Who can stand before His indignation? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before Him» (Nahum 1:6).

«For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness» (Rom. 1:18).

«Let none of you be deceived by empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.» (Eph. 5:6).

«And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains, and cried to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?» (Rev. 6:15-17).

God’s wrath against our sin is the central issue that the gospel addresses. Jesus died on the cross as a propitiatory sacrifice, a sacrifice that turns away God’s wrath (Rom. 3:25; 1 John 2:2, 4:10), so that we can receive salvation through faith in Him.