The Gospel
What exactly do christians mean when they talk about “the gospel of Jesus Christ”?
Since the word gospel means good news, when Christians talk about the gospel, they’re simply telling the good news about Jesus! But it’s not any good news; it demands a response!
It’s a message from God saying,
“Good News! Here is how you can be forgiven for your sin, enter into a relationship with me, receive eternal life, and be saved from my judgement!”
That’s an announcement you can’t afford to ignore!
Ever since the earliest Christians announced the good news about Jesus, it has typically been organized around these 4 points:
I. God’s Love
God created us in his image for fellowship with him and to experience abundant life. He gave us the freedom to live in obedience to His commands or to rebel. John 10:10 Jesus said, “. . . I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
II. Man’s Problem
Mankind has chosen to disobey God and have become separated from Him. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This separation means the penalty of an eternal spiritual death. (Romans 6:23) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
III. God’s Remedy
On our own, we cannot attain the perfection needed to bridge the gap between mankind and God. Christ’s death alone is sufficient for our sin and reconciles us to God. (1 Peter 3:18) “For Christ also suffered once for sin, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.”
IV. Man’s Response
Believing means trust and commitment. We must acknowledge our sinfulness while trusting in Christ’s forgiveness and letting Him control our life. Eternal life is a gift for us to receive. We cannot earn it. (Romans 5:8) “But God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
In order to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior you must:
1) Admit your need (Confess, “I am a sinner”).
2) Turn from your sins (repent – make a radical turn away from all those things that hinder you from walking in obedience to God).
3) Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. ( To believe means to commit your life to Jesus Christ in complete surrender as Lord of your life).
4) Through Faith, surrender your heart and life to Jesus Christ.
What to pray: Dear Lord Jesus: I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now put my trust and total surrender in you and commit to follow you as the Lord and Savior of my life.
In Jesus Name, Amen.