The Gospel
What IS the GOOD NEWS?
The “good news” is the Gospel! It is the literal translation of the Greek word euangelion in the Bible, and it references the good news of SALVATION –
freedom from sin, brokenness and separation from God – because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
S+O
The Gospel, or “good news”, of Jesus Christ
In this world full of brokenness it can sometimes feel that all we ever hear is bad news, there is so much pain, hatred, death, sin and sadness in the world. The list goes on and on, but that was not God’s original design.
Before there was anything, there was God.
According to Genesis 1 God created all things, the heavens and the earth, the land and the seas, the animals and, of course, human beings. He created you and everything you see, with a plan and a purpose. We can see God’s beautiful design all around us in the beauty and intricacy of creation, and God walked among His creation and gave humans rule over what He created.
Sin separates us from God.
We have all departed from God’s design because of sin. Sin is a transgression of God’s law, or rebellion against God. Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, there is not a person on this earth that has not sinned…whether it be something small such as a “white lie” to something large such as adultery or murder, it is all sin and separates us from God. This sin (separation) is what leads to the brokenness in our lives and in the world. And there are severe and eternal consequences to sin as well. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death…”
But there is HOPE!
Because the rest of Romans 6:23 says ” but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God loves us (John 3:16), and He wishes that none would perish but all would turn to Him (2 Peter 3:9). So He made a way for us by sending His son Jesus. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, then died on the cross to pay the penalty for all of our sins. He died the death we deserved, then 3 days later he rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us (Romans 8:34). He gave us the free gift of salvation (deliverance from sin and it’s consequences), however we have to accept this gift in order to be saved.
How do you accept the free gift of salvation? It is easier than you could imagine…
- ADMIT that you are a sinner in need of a Savior – Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
- BELIEVE that Jesus died for your sins – Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
- CONFESS your sins to God and ask for His forgiveness – 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- REPENT of your sins by turning away from them and turning to God and His ways – Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
- ACCEPT God’s free gift of salvation and make Him Lord of your life – Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”
That’s it! If you are ready to do all of the above you can pray this prayer “God, I admit that I am a sinner and confess my sins to you. I believe that Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead, defeating death and paying the penalty for my sins. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and I accept Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord over my life. Help me, Lord, to turn from my sinful ways and follow you and your perfect ways. Thank you for loving me and saving me, AMEN.”
If you have done the above, you have just joined the family of God! Know that following Jesus is not something you should do alone, tell someone that you know follows God and get connected to a local church community so that you can start being discipled. May God bless you and keep you my new sister or brother in Christ, welcome to the family!!!