The Gospel is the most important message that you will ever hear. It is God’s plan of salvation from sin and death into eternal life.
Salvation is not attained by doing good and keeping God’s Law. God’s law makes us aware of our sinful condition and no amount of personal remorse, good works, penance, zeal or tears can atone for our sin.
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin … For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet” (Romans 3:20, 7:7).
The Bible tells us that, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12).
All of us, at one time, have lied, coveted our neighbor’s possessions, stolen, or lusted after someone in our hearts. We have sinned against a holy and righteous God and our sin debt must be paid.
How then can anyone be saved?
Only by God’s grace: “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – everyone – to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
Jesus is the “him” prophesied here in Isaiah 53. He came 700 years after this prophecy and was made to bear our sin and judgement on the cross. Jesus Christ alone was the perfect, sinless sacrifice that paid the price and absorbed the wrath of God for sin.
“In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
If you are convinced that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, then confess your sin to God, and ask Him to forgive you and grant you the gift of eternal life. Turn from your way, and follow Jesus as He reveals Himself in the Bible. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and he will direct your path and lead you safely into eternal life.
Jesus said “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
The Gospel is only good news if you receive it. If you reject it you shall not see life, for “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).