First and most important
to understand when considering a relationship with Christ
is that He loves you, He has always loved you and regardless
of what you do He will still Love you, the key is that
He wants a relationship with you.
Listen
to what Paul wrote in this letter to Timothy - I'm
saying the same thing today.
1
Timothy - 1:15-16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
Don't
just take my word for it. Start asking God, He
will answer your questions.
Revelation
3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I
will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
What is the Gospel?
In the simplest terms,
the Gospel is the
redemptive message of Jesus
Christ and Him crucified. It is the chronicle of
his life, death, and resurrection in order set mankind
free from the power of sin and
death. To be a Christian
means to believe that he is, in fact, the Savior
foretold in the Old Testament
of the Bible and that he
died for the sins of all mankind. In his death, he paid
the penalty for all sin. In his resurrection, he forever
conquered death. As a result, his sacrifice makes the
gift of salvation and eternal
life available to every believer. Following is
an overview of the Gospel, what it means to be a
Christian, and how to become one.
THE BAD NEWS
In order to more fully understand the Gospel, or Good
News, it is imperative to understand the bad news. The
bad news is we all have a problem called sin
(Rom. 3:23). Beginning
with the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate the
forbidden fruit, mankind has been plagued by sin. It is
completely inescapable. Even those who consider
themselves "good people" have not achieved
God's perfect standard. Worse yet is that we will all
face Judgement Day and be held accountable for our every
thought, word, and action (II
Cor. 5:10). The Bible says that we deserve death
because of our sin (Rom. 6:23)
and, despite our attempts, there is absolutely nothing
we can do about it. Our "good" deeds will in
no way outweigh or make-up for our bad ones. No
sacrifice, ritual or lifestyle can save us. Attending
church regularly, donating time or resources to charity,
or simply being a "good" person cannot ensure
our forgiveness or a place in heaven (Matthew
7:24).
THE GOOD NEWS
The only way to overcome sin and to inherit eternal life
instead of death is through Jesus Christ (John
14:6). The Bible tells us that God loved us so
much that he intervened and sent Jesus Christ, His only
Son, as a ransom to suffer and die in our place (John
3:16). Jesus' sacrifice on the cross over 2000
years ago paid the price for our sin, no matter how
large or how many, so that we can live without being
enslaved to sin here on earth and to offer us life
eternally. That is the Gospel - the GOOD NEWS!
OUR COST
Even better news is that the gift is free! (Ephesians
2:8) We must simply: Accept the fact that we're
sinners and that we need FORGIVENESS.
Believe that Jesus Christ is God's son, our SAVIOR,
and that He died for our sins (Acts
2:36). REPENT from
our sins and sinful lifestyles (Acts
17:30). Make Jesus LORD
of our lives (Luke 6:46)
WARNING!
OK - so there is a catch. The truth of the matter is
that becoming a Christian does not guarantee love, life,
health, wealth, or happiness. It is not a magic potion
or miracle pill that will make your problems disappear.
The difference with Christ is this: you know that Christ
is ultimately in control and He's going to get you
through whatever comes your way (John
16:33). Your life will have purpose and meaning.
You will have a hope, a future, a promise, and the
miraculous gift of faith (Jeremiah
29:11). He grants peace beyond understanding and
joy beyond measure regardless of our difficult
circumstances (John 14:27).
That is what makes the difference and marks us as His
followers.
ACCEPTING GOD'S GIFT
OF SALVATION
Accepting the gift of salvation takes nothing but a
sincere prayer reflecting your desire for Christ to
change your life and eternal destiny. You don't need
fancy words - just a sincere heart. Your prayer to Jesus
Christ should include the following:
1. I know that I'm
sinner and deserve eternal death.
2. I accept your gift of
dying on the cross for my sins so that I can be forgiven
and live eternally.
3. I turn away from my
old life and will now follow you as Lord.
NEXT STEPS
Congratulations! Accepting Christ into your life is the
beginning of your new life. You will now want to:
1. Begin a daily
personal experience with God that includes studying the
Bible and praying. As the Word of God and sole
"life-guide," reading the Bible both
strengthens our faith and renews our mind so that we may
be conformed into the image of Christ. Prayer, on the
other hand, is our way of both communicating our needs,
desires, dreams, joys and sorrows to God and is also
another means in which we can hear from Him.
2. Join a local church
where you can worship and grow in your faith. Regularly
connecting with other believers or Christians helps us
learn and grow together spiritually. In addition, it
allows us to encourage one another and helps keep us
"on track." If no local church exists, start
your own "church service" in your home,
inviting others to share in what you've just learned.
3. Tell others about
Him! Why keep this to yourself? This is THE best news
out there and everyone needs to hear it!
************
DEFINITIONS
Gospel - literally means the
"good news."
Jesus Christ - The son
of God who was born of the virgin Mary, crucified, dead
and buried, and resurrected three days later. He
ascended into heaven where He is now seated at the right
hand of the Father.
Christians - Followers of
Jesus Christ who believe he is the Savior of mankind.
Bible - The Word of God; a
collection of 66 books of poetry, history, love songs,
biography and wisdom written by at least 40 different
authors from all walks of life over a span of 1500 years
and divided into the "Old" and "New"
Testaments.
Old Testament - first
39 books of the Bible, consisting of historical, poetic,
and prophetic writings that detail the creation and fall
of man, the history of the nation of Israel, the law and
the plan of salvation; also known as the Jewish Torah.
New Testament - the remaining 27 books of the
Bible, including the Gospels, Epistles, and other books
that detail the life, death and resurrection of Christ
as well as the birth and growth of the Christian church.
Forgiveness - One of
the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning
sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of
the law, and that on account of the work of Christ,
i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's
actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it.
Savior - one who saves from
any form or degree of evil.
Repent - to have a changing
of the mind; to turn from sin to God.
Lord - one who has complete
control and authority; a ruler or master.
Sin - any thought or behavior
that is contrary to the glory or character of God; to
commit an offense against God's law (Romans
3:9-20, 23).
Salvation - This word is
used of the deliverance of the Israelites from the
Egyptians (Ex 14:13), and of deliverance
generally from evil or danger. In the New Testament it
is specially used with reference to the great
deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin
wrought out by Jesus Christ, "the great
salvation" (Heb 2:3).
Eternal Life - Living
forever in heaven with the God of Creation and His Son,
Jesus Christ, free of tears, pain, and injustice (John
3:15, Romans 6:23).
SCRIPTURE
REFERENCES
Romans 3:23 -
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God."
II Corinthians 5:10 -
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for
the things done while in the body, whether good or
bad."
Romans 6:23 - "For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Matthew 7:24 -
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine
and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built
his house on the rock."
John 14:6 - "Jesus
answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me.'"
John 3:16 - "For God
so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life."
Ephesians 2:8 -
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith - and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of
God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
Acts 2:36 -
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this; God
has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and
Christ."
Acts 17:30 - "In the
past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands
all people everywhere to repent."
Luke 6:46 - "Why do
you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I
say?"
John 16:33 - "I have
told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world."
Jeremiah 29:11 -
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares
the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.'"
John 14:27 - "Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to
you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be
troubled and do not be afraid."
Romans 3:9-20 -
"What shall we conclude then? Are we any better?
Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews
and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written:
'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no
one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have
turned away, they have together become worthless; there
is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are
open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison
of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full
cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed
blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of
peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before
their eyes.' Now we know that whatever the law says, it
says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth
may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to
God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his
sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we
become conscious of sin."
John 3:15 - "...so
the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who
believes in him may have eternal life."