The GOSPEL

The Gospel holds unparalleled significance as God’s paramount communication to humanity. Through Jesus, who is God the Son, we discover the revelation of God’s love and sacrifice, which delivers us from His righteous judgment on sinners.

If you aren’t a Christian and seek forgiveness for your sins, desiring to follow Christ or simply curious about the Christian Gospel, consider the following:

According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, the Bible explains the essence of the gospel:

“Now I make known to you brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures . . . “

The Bible states that all of us are sinners (Romans 3:23), meaning we have transgressed against God and violated His law. Consequently, we bear guilt for our sins, causing a separation from God (Isaiah 59:2) and spiritual death (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:3). We are unable to please God (Romans 3:10-11) and are destined for condemnation (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The sole means of escaping this judgment is by receiving Jesus Christ and placing our trust in His redemptive work on the cross (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Peter 2:24).

As sinners, we are incapable of eradicating our guilt through our own efforts. Galatians 2:21 declares, “…if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” The law refers to the moral do’s and don’ts. Essentially, we cannot attain righteousness based on our actions because we are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:3).

Hence, since we are incapable of removing our own sins, it is necessary for God to accomplish it.

Jesus, who is God incarnate (John 1:1, 14; 8:58; Colossians 2:9), carried our sins in His body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). He died in our place, paying the penalty for breaking God’s law that should have fallen upon us. Through His death, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of God’s law. Thus, only through Jesus can we escape the penalty that awaits all who have violated God’s holy and perfect law.

Would you like to be saved from God’s righteous judgment? If you desire to become a Christian and follow God, acknowledge that you have sinned against Him and are subject to His judgment. Look to Jesus, who died on the cross, and trust in His sacrifice to receive forgiveness and salvation from God’s judgment. This is accomplished solely by faith in what Jesus has done. You cannot supplement His work with any human efforts.

Count the cost

Jesus said, “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28). In this statement, Jesus emphasizes the importance of counting the cost. The journey of becoming a Christian can entail significant sacrifices. In certain parts of the world, it may even endanger one’s life. Although in America, the risks are comparatively lower, it is crucial to recognize that becoming a Christian is a serious commitment in the eyes of God. He will actively work within your heart and life, transforming you to reflect His likeness. This journey can vary in difficulty, ranging from moments of ease to challenging trials. However, the essence of becoming a Christian lies in allowing God to actively shape your life and continuing His work in you even after you have been saved.

Receive Christ

If you desire to receive Christ, you can use the following prayer as an example to guide your own personal expression of trust in Him. Remember, this prayer is not a formula for salvation, but rather a representation of what it means to place your faith in Christ.

“”Lord Jesus, I come before you and acknowledge that I am a sinner. I confess that I have lied, harbored evil thoughts in my heart, and broken your law. Please forgive me for my sins. I place my trust in what you accomplished on the cross, and I receive you into my life. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and rose from the dead to atone for my sins. Cleanse me of my wrongdoing and become the Lord of my life. I rely completely on you for the forgiveness of my sins and do not trust in my own efforts to attain righteousness. Lord Jesus, save me as I receive you and believe that your sacrificial work on the cross is the only means of deliverance from God the Father’s righteous judgment. In Jesus’ name, amen.””

If you have sincerely and faithfully prayed this prayer, you have demonstrated your obedience to Christ and embraced the gospel (Mark 1:15). This act of faith has been made possible because God has granted you the ability to come to Christ (John 6:65), worked belief in you (John 6:29), and granted you the capacity to believe (Philippians 1:29).

Now, it is important to share your commitment to Jesus with others. As stated in the Bible, “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Rom. 10:9-10).