Story of Inside the Gospel

Black and white photo of a hand with a pen drawing two stacks of books. The larger one is labeled "What I Thought I Knew," and the much shorter one, "What I Think I Know Now."

Hello! My name is Ethan Merck. I started Inside the Gospel on Instagram in 2019. This project brings together two of my core loves - drawing and the good news about Jesus Christ.

As a pastor’s kid raised in a robust doctrinal environment, God has been at work in my life for decades, rescuing me from long-term addiction, intellectual doubts, pharisaical pride, and despair in suffering.

Throughout the ups and downs of the process, his deliverance has centered on one thing: coming to know my savior Jesus Christ better, and the Father through him, by discovering a side of the Gospel that was completely new to me - the inside. Vista after vista has opened over the years, deeper into inner workings of deliverance than I had ever dreamed before.

I want that deliverance for you too

Black and white photo of hand with a pen drawing a picture of a path going deeper into a crystal cave. A sign near the entrance says, "A man is justified by faith." Deeper in a sign reads, "The just shall live by faith."

My hope is to share with you truths I wish someone could have helped me see sooner: who God really is in my sin and suffering, and how complete a provision of salvation he has given through union with his Son.

Inside the Gospel can be found on Instagram & Facebook. Content consists of simple illustrations & microblogging to provide a steady drip of gospel encouragement, challenge, and celebration for your walk with God.

Join us! Comment, share, reach out. Community & discussion help us grow in living out our union with Christ in real life.

Inside the Gospel project logo square

Some ItG Posts from Instagram:

Union with Christ is Life It's time for a Friday introduction! I also want to answer the question, "Why does Inside the Gospel exist?" Hi, my name is Ethan. I am a proud product of 1980s Michigan. I love the outdoors, hiking, camping, & whittl

Union with Christ is Life It's time for a Friday introduction! I also want to answer the question, "Why does Inside the Gospel exist?" Hi, my name is Ethan. I am a proud product of 1980s Michigan. I love the outdoors, hiking, camping, & whittling. Now I live with my family in the Middle East... (click image to keep reading)

He Heard Me Pleading There were so many times I wondered if he was even listening... Sometimes I just wanted to crawl into a hole and die, from the agony, shame and confusion. Crying out to him seemed to do nothing. It seemed like there was nothi

He Heard Me Pleading There were so many times I wondered if he was even listening... Sometimes I just wanted to crawl into a hole and die, from the agony, shame and confusion. Crying out to him seemed to do nothing. It seemed like there was nothing he even could do. I was utterly enslaved -- locked in addiction, full of intellectual & religious pride, and consumed with doubts. I was wrecked by all I was feeling, but couldn't understand or acknowledge it. Numb-brained, in turmoil, an emotional wreck. I had tried everything... (click image to keep reading)

A New Way to Be Human Good news if you feel stuck in pride, shame, fear before God: there is a completely different way of living! As a beloved son or daughter, in Christ. If you have put your faith in Christ, this new way to be human is alrea

A New Way to Be Human Good news if you feel stuck in pride, shame, fear before God: there is a completely different way of living! As a beloved son or daughter, in Christ. If you have put your faith in Christ, this new way to be human is already yours. You have only to learn to grow up into it through his Spirit and Word... (click image to keep reading)

Old style black typewriter on a white background
Cover shot of Union with Christ Primer: Finding Tangible Relief in the Sufficiency of Christ, and e-book by Ethan Merck.