The Gospel Basics
What is the Gospel?
The Gospel of Jesus Christ can be defined or interpreted as Good News. That’s what it means, that’s what it is. This article presents the basics of the Gospel and why it’s important. It is without question the most important topic in all history to every person who has lived, is living, or who will live. Belief in the Gospel is open to every person and is based on two truths: God exists and the Bible is true.
Here are the basic points of the Gospel:
1. God is perfect. Everything about him is perfect. His character defines what is good and evil, and his words define truth.
2. We are not perfect. Beginning with Adam, every person who has ever lived – except Jesus – has also acted against God’s character and disobeyed his word. Every sin, even the smallest, has consequences.
3. We separated ourselves from God. Because sin cannot exist in God’s presence, our sin has separated us from him. If a righteous judge ignores the law, he is no longer a righteous judge. And God cannot be unrighteous. Since God is life, separation from him means death. So, sin’s penalty is eternal death.
4. God loves us. Even while we rebel and sin against him, God still loves us and wants us to be with him. Since unrighteousness must be judged, Christ chose to take our blame and punishment on himself, so we could be with God.
5. Jesus removes the separation. Christ the son was born as Jesus the man. He taught us God’s love and then allowed himself to be killed, dying to pay for our judgment. His death bridged the separation between us and God and covers all of our sin, even those we have not yet done. His resurrection enables us to live forever with him.
6. Salvation is a gift. We cannot earn salvation. We only ask for it and accept it. God tells us to believe, to ask for forgiveness in Jesus’ name, and to turn away from our sin.
God is real. He will speak to you. By asking him into your life, you accept both his forgiveness and him being in charge. Jesus is both our Savior and Lord.
- Bill Wilson (This article may be copied freely.)
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