The Gospel

We all have a story, including God. His story is called the gospel which means “good news.” It is told in the Bible, and he is the hero. This story is good news because it is the only story that makes sense of reality, reveals God’s final victory over evil, and brings true peace and fulfillment to people. The gospel story is true.

God

The one true God created the world. Because he is good and glorious, his creation was originally perfect. The universe was made to be his wonderful kingdom. God’s character and kingly rule were seen in everything. Every awesome, mind-blowing thing in all the universe came from the creativity, power, and goodness of God.

Genesis 1:1, 31 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. . . . And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”

Man

God created mankind to experience his goodness and greatness. We are not accidents of the cosmos. We are intentional creations of the living God. Our lives have purpose and meaning. We are designed to have a wonderful, spiritual relationship with God that reflects his good character and represents his kingly rule on earth. Our amazing purpose is to glorify God by knowing and enjoying him forever.

Genesis 1:27 “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Sin

Sadly, instead of glorifying God by joyfully living underneath his kingship, people have rebelled against God in order to live according to their own shallow desires. The Bible calls this failure to live according to our God-given design “sin.” Sin has corrupted all people so that none of us truly lives in a way that fulfills our amazing purpose. Instead of living for God, people shamefully live for the fleeting pleasures of the world. His kingdom is corrupted by our sin, and we are separated from a relationship with him.

Romans 3:10-12, 23 “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. . . . For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 

Judgment

Our sin has horrible consequences. Not only do sinners miss out on the fulfillment that comes from living in relationship with God, but they also stand in condemnation awaiting terrifying punishment. Because God is perfectly righteous and just, he will pour out his wrath on those who have committed treason by rebelling against his authority. God has prepared a place of fiery, eternal judgment called “Hell” where he has promised to send all unforgiven sinners. There is nothing any of us could ever do to get out of this destiny.

Luke 12:4-5 [Jesus said] “I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

Christ

But God in his great love and mercy has himself provided a way for desperate sinners to be rescued from Hell and restored to a delightful relationship with him. God sent his eternal, divine Son to earth to become the God-Man, Jesus Christ. He came to identify with us and represent us. He lived the life we could never attain and died the death we could never bear. He suffered crucifixion as a substitute for sinners absorbing the wrath of God against them. Then he rose from the grave to be the living King over God’s people. He is now in Heaven and will return to establish the kingdom of God forever.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Response

Now that Jesus has finished his work, God extends an invitation to all people to repent of their rebellion and turn to Jesus for salvation. Just as he promised to punish unforgiven sinners, he has promised to forgive all who believe in Jesus and to include them in his wonderful kingdom forever. Responding to Jesus means trusting him alone to be made right with God. Such faith gives the full credit and glory to God for his wonderful saving grace. When a person truly believes in this way, he or she is “in Christ” and eternally rescued. 

John 3:18 “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” 

1 John 5:12  “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Even now you can pray to God and ask him to save you. He will. If you would like to speak with someone about being saved, please email me at GRpsalm73@me.com. I would love to help you!