The gospel?

What is the crux of life? What is the the very foundation on which the Christian faith is built? Well, many would say the gospel…the good news, and they would be correct. However, can you articulate specifically what the gospel is? Can you articluate how it applies to your life daily and why it is the only hope for life? I am discovering that many Christians are learning a lot of stuff about the Bible and life and cannot explain to me the gospel. I am not here to rail on them…it is hard to articulate. It is easier to talk about the effects of the gospel on our lives than to look specifically at the reality of what it is. We tend to think…that is past. Been there. Done that. Let’s move on. However, we cannot move on. It is core. It is our hope daily, hourly. And, we are called to share it with others. It is the hope of the world.
While I am not here to rail, I am here to sharpen and encourage. Spend time knowing what the gospel is, learning how to articulate it. Share it. We are to preach it to ourselves daily…we need it daily. When I am overcome with my selfishness and pride, I am reminded that I was Christ’s enemy and he took the punishment for my sin…he bore it and he will do it no more, he died and then conquered sin and death in order that I might live to Him. There is no more condemnation for me because I am in Christ. I am wasting time and lacking faith when I am caught up in guilt and fear. The Father has called me a new creation, and nothing can separate me from the love of Christ.
So, study His word, refresh yourself with the truth of the gospel. I am convinced that it is the first thing I am going to tackle in discipleship with others, now, because without it, we are just pandering a self-help life.
So, for those who will comment, what is the gospel?