THE GOSPEL.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is also referred to as the “Good News.”
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God is Holy, perfect and just – and He has set the standard for what is good. His law and commandments are perfect, and when we fail to live in this perfection, we are in sin. Sin is what separates us from God – now and for all of eternity. We were all born into this world with a sin nature. None of us will ever be able to keep God’s law perfectly. We all sin.
Many people wonder why God sometimes seems silent amid so much evil and suffering. But we know from Scripture that He will eventually return to judge this world. He will pour out His wrath on sin and sinful humanity.
And so then – if we all sin – how are we spared?
The only way for sinners to be reconciled with God is by grace, through faith. And the method of atonement has always required sacrifice.
Under the Old Covenant, this was accomplished through the sacrifice of an unblemished animal; and the reconciliation was neither lasting, nor final. It was temporary and offerings had to be made consistently.
But God made a way for His children to be saved. (Of course, God created us all. But He is especially concerned with His children – those who He is calling to Him.)
God came down to earth wrapped in flesh as Jesus, the Messiah.
Jesus – the second Person of the Holy Trinity – lived a sinless life and led a perfect ministry. Jesus, unblemished, went to the cross to serve as the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin.
Jesus was crucified, died on the cross, placed in a tomb, and He was resurrected after three days. This was done for the forgiveness of sin for all those who would place their faith in Him; believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is only then that we are reconciled with the Father.
He created us all, but God’s children are those who place their faith in Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites had to have faith that, through sacrifice, God would forgive them – we have to have faith that, through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are forgiven.
Do you want to be God’s child? Do you want the salvation, protection, guidance, safety and fulfilment that comes through knowing and walking with Him. If you truly desire that, then it is because He is calling you. Draw near to Him.
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The Holy Spirit convicts us of the truth: of Jesus, of Scripture and of sin. Once you realize the magnitude of your sin, you are to repent – meaning, you turn your will toward God. You realize the sacrifice and punishment that Jesus has made and experienced on your behalf. You realize that He’s saved you from having to spend eternity apart from God. Upon repenting, you need to confess to God that you accept and receive Jesus’ role as Lord and Savior over your life.
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Everything should point to the Gospel. The entire Bible points to the cross; either by prophesy, foreshadowing, narration or evangelism. Likewise, our lives should point to the Gospel.
Lexzie in Christ 