My church defines the gospel in this way at our service every week:
“Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose from the dead, so that by trusting in him, we can have eternal life.”
The gospel is good news! It is the central message of Christianity. However, the gospel begins with some not-so-good news.
We live in a broken world. Horrible things happen every day, and we know that this is not how it should be. The world is broken because of sin. When God created the world, it was very good! The first man and woman were given one rule, but they were tempted and then disobeyed God (Genesis 1–3). Ever since that, sin has been passed down to everyone who has ever lived (Romans 5:12). The Bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is anything that God declares is wrong. We have all told lies, stolen, cheated, or worse in some form or another, and we all know firsthand the negative consequences these actions bring.
The really bad news part of this is what sin brings about: death (Romans 6:23a). Yes, this means that we will all die physically one day, but more significantly, sin brings spiritual death. That means that we deserve to be eternally separated from God, apart from His presence and all that is good (2 Thessalonians 1:9). We stand guilty of sin and are destined for a punishment that lasts forever.
Here’s where the good news comes in, however! “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23b). Although we are sinful by nature, God loves us and does not want to leave us in our sin, separated from Him. Therefore, God sent His Son, Jesus, to do what nobody else could do (John 3:16). Since Jesus lived a perfect life, never sinning, He was able to die for our sins. He suffered the punishment we deserve in our place.
However, Jesus did not stay dead! He rose again, proving that He is God, and in doing so, securing victory over sin and death.
Now, if we trust in Jesus, we will be saved. Through confessing and turning from your sin and believing that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for you (Romans 10:9–10), you will receive this free gift of God: eternal life in Christ. This means life forever with God, but also that God lives in you and gives you abundant life here on earth (John 10:10)!
The beauty of the gospel—and part of what makes it such good news—is the fact that we do not have to earn it. We are saved by believing in Jesus, not by any works we can do (Ephesians 2:8–9). If you don’t feel like you are good enough to earn eternal life, the reality is that you are not. However, God made a way through Jesus for us to receive it! All you have to do is trust Him.
Are you tired of striving, of living a life of empty pursuits? Do you feel like you are never satisfied or content, no matter what you try? Jesus is the answer. Run to Him and be saved!
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6
If you have any questions about the gospel or how you can have a personal relationship with Christ, please reach out! You can email me at setyourmindabove23@gmail.com or through a private message on one of our social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram).