The true gospel is liberation from religion. Religion is an attempt to appease the troubled conscience while it's still in bondage. The gospel brings liberation to the conscience. When Jesus said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden," He was offering liberation to the Jews who were struggling under the burden of a troubled conscience and the yoke of the rites and laws of their religion.

The law had become their religion, yet God had given them this law in order that they might come to realize that they were sinners. The Bible tells us that the law is "our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ" (Galatians 3:24), and describes it as "the elements of the world" (Galatians 4:3). Jesus came into the world in order to free us from this tutor. This is the gospel.

Adam and Eve made loin coverings for themselves out of fig leaves but they still felt uneasy and afraid, so God Himself made garments of skin for them (Genesis 3:21). This was the liberation that God gave to them. This is the gospel.