Christianity is not merely about becoming more religious, improving your behavior, or joining a church. It is about being reconciled to the God who made you. Every person will one day stand before God and give an account of their life. The greatest issue in this world is whether your sins have been forgiven and whether you truly know Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the message of how lost sinners can be saved, forgiven, made new, and given eternal life through Jesus Christ alone.
God Is Holy and Good
The Bible begins with God. He created all things, He owns all things, and He is perfectly holy, righteous, and good. We were made by Him and for Him, to know Him, worship Him, love Him, and live under His gracious rule.
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1
We Have Sinned Against God
The problem is that we have all sinned. Sin is not merely making mistakes or failing to live up to our own standards. Sin is rebellion against God. We have loved other things more than Him, broken His commands, and tried to live as though we belong to ourselves.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Sin Deserves Judgment
Because God is holy and just, He cannot ignore sin. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. That means separation from God, judgment, and eternal punishment. This is serious, but it is also why the Gospel is such good news.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Jesus Christ Came to Save Sinners
God did not leave sinners without hope. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, came into the world as truly God and truly man. He lived the perfect life we have not lived. He obeyed God fully, loved the Father perfectly, and never sinned.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Timothy 1:15
Jesus Died and Rose Again
On the cross, Jesus died in the place of sinners. He bore the wrath of God that His people deserved. He was buried, and on the third day He rose bodily from the dead, proving that His sacrifice was accepted and that He has victory over sin, death, and Satan.
"Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
We Must Repent and Believe
The right response to the Gospel is repentance and faith. Repentance means turning from sin and self-rule. Faith means trusting in Jesus Christ alone to save you. We are not saved by church attendance, baptism, good works, religious effort, or trying to become a better person. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
"Repent and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15
Salvation Is by Grace
The Gospel is not good advice about how to earn God’s favor. It is good news about what God has done for helpless sinners. Everyone who turns from sin and trusts in Christ is forgiven, declared righteous before God, adopted into God’s family, given eternal life, and made new by the Holy Spirit.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
What Should You Do?
Come to Christ. Confess your sin to God. Stop trusting in yourself. Trust in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. Call upon the Lord for mercy. The Bible says that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
If You Have Trusted in Christ
If you have repented of your sins and trusted in Jesus Christ, one of the most important next steps is to begin growing in your faith. You need to read the Bible, pray, find a biblically faithful church, and learn what it means to follow Christ daily.
To help new believers get started, we recommend the book New in Christ: A Simple Guide for New Christians. It was written specifically to help brand-new Christians understand the Gospel, Scripture, prayer, church life, spiritual growth, and the Christian walk.