Important!
Here's a simple presentation of what the Gospel is all about and what it means to you.
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What Is The Gospel?
The Gospel simply means 'Good News'. Your debt has been paid and you're free to go!
But in order for this to be good news we need to understand that there is a problem in our lives that needs to be solved, or a debt we have incurred that needs to be settled, and on both counts - it was! Jesus has solved the problem AND paid the debt we owe to God ... in full!
Let's break this down -
The bad news is -
We have a sin debt and the penalty for such a debt is the death penalty.
The good news is -
Jesus came into the world and was crucified. The death He died was for us in order to pay the debt we owe to God. After He died He was buried AND three days later He rose again! And If that is not enough good news, here is some more - He is coming back again one soon day just for all those who have believed or trusted in Him. Now that is good news in a world with nothing but bad news!
How Do We Respond?
This is where the Gospel 'ABCs' come in to play. This message is SO important for EVERYONE to grasp and understand it is presented here to you in this simple child like way so no one will miss it!
The Lord Jesus told us that 'unless we become like little children we cannot enter into His kingdom.' (See Mark 10: 15.)
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Admit or acknowlege you are a sinner and you need a Saviour
Godly sorrow for sin leads to genuine repentance for sinning against the righteous God and there is a change of heart. Repentance means we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out.
The Bible says: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3: 10
Perhaps you might feel that you are a good person - but the Bible says that you will NEVER be good enough!
And this is the reason why! - The Bible says: "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God ..." Romans 3: 23.
In the original language these words were written, the word translated into 'Sin' means 'missed the mark', or 'fallen short'. It is the same word for the archer fireing arrows at a target - if his arrow misses the target or falls short of it - he has 'sinned'! God's perfect standard is the target and we ALL have fallen short of it!
Because of that, a sentence is hanging over us, and before the God of the universe we have to plead guilty because His perfect law has been broken. We have sinned!
The sentence we deserve is the death penalty because -
The Bible says: "The wages of sin is death; BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6: 23.
Immediately after telling us the bad news about our sorry state, Somebody comes to the rescue!
In the first six words in this verse our sentence is declared .... BUT God has a remedy! It comes in the form of a gift, and that 'gift' is His beloved Son - "BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Jesus Himself said: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3: 16
Now we understand our need and what God has done about it, what must WE do?
Believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord
The Bible says: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10: 9.
Believe in your heart Jesus is Lord and God rose Him from the dead - you WILL be saved! Jesus is alive and trust worthy. Trust Him with all your heart and you will be saved. This is a promise, and God cannot lie! What He said, He will do!
Confess or Call upon the Name of the Lord
Let's look at this verse again: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." The two requirements in the one verse are united, because what we believe in our hearts we will express in the things we do and say. Everything that is associated with His Name has authority and is life giving! Confessing His Name means that you are acknowledging that you are no longer under your authority but His!
And here's why this works - The Bible says: "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10: 10.
This is the guarantee, the assurance the Bible gives to us: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10: 13.
Or to put it even more simply: "ALL who CALL upon the Name of the Lord WILL be saved."
It's THAT simple!