The Gospel

The word "gospel" means "good news" and basically is referring to the good news concerning Jesus Christ. It encompasses God's redemptive plan of his creation. What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Let's break it down into simple terms!

The Bad News

You can't hear the good news until you have heard the bad news. The bad news is that we are sinners. God is holy and our sin separates us from Him. How do we know we sin? God gave us His Law in the Old Testament which we can use as a measuring stick of sorts. When we measure ourselves against it we see quickly how we fall short. Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you lusted? We are liars, thieves, and adulterers! And that is just touching the surface!

(Genesis 3, Exodus 20)

The Wages of Sin

The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) What does that mean? It means the penalty for our sin, our rebellion against God, requires death. A spiritual death where we experience the wrath of God for eternity. Thankfully God, from the very beginning, set in motion a rescue plan through Jesus Christ.

Paid In Full

God planned a way for sinners to be made right with God. The Bible says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22) Under the Old Testament Law yearly sacrifices had to be made for the forgiveness of sins. Putting it simply, Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, became sin for us, and through his death on the cross by crucifixion, paid the penalty of our sin in full.

(2 Corinthians 5:21, John 19:30, Isaiah 53)

From Death to Life

After Jesus was crucified, he was buried, and after three days was raised from the dead. Without this truth there would be no Gospel. Christ gives us the victory over death as well when we repent of our sins and put our trust in Him. Jesus tells us in the Bible that, " I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live..." What a wonderful promise that we have in Jesus!

(Acts 2:21, John 11:25)

Surrender

Once we repent and believe the Gospel, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we live a life of surrender. We pick up our cross daily and follow God's Word. We abide in Christ staying near to him as we live our life for the Lord. God will then sanctify us, convicting us of our sin, and we respond in repentance as our knowledge of God grows.