Our God. Our Savior. Our Living Lord.
The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ who saves everyone who believes in Him as Savior and Lord. This is the central message of the Bible, and it separates Christianity from every other religion and spiritual practice because it shows that we cannot do anything to save ourselves -- we cannot live a "good enough" life or do enough "good works" to receive salvation and go to Heaven when we die. Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus; this is a gift from God.
By faith we confess that we are by nature evil and sinful and deserving of God's eternal condemnation; and only through what Jesus Christ has done for us through His life, death on the cross and resurrection can we be saved. The Gospel is the only message of hope for a dying and sinful world, and the call is for each and every one of us to receive and believe this message.
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ..."
(Romans 3:23)
Each of us have done, thought or said bad things, things that we know are wrong. The Bible calls this "sin". The penalty of sin is death and spiritual separation from God: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Consider the way you've lived your life and the ways you've hurt others and yourself. Do you want to change?
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life."
(John 3:16)
The Good News is that God loves us even though we have sinned. God wants to save you from your sin, and He has a plan for your life. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and thereby pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus said: "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10b)
Jesus died in our place so that we could have a relationship with God and be with Him forever: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8). But it didn't end when Jesus died on the cross -- He rose from the dead on the third day and still lives! "... Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) God "is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." (2 Peter 3:9b).
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
Me."
(John 14:6)
We can't earn salvation; we are saved by God's grace when we have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. All you have to do is believe you are a sinner, that Jesus Christ died for your sins and ask His forgiveness: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). Then turn from your sins -- that's called repentance. God the Father will forgive you because of what Jesus, His Son, did for you on the cross. Just talk to God, and say something like this:
"Dear God, I know I'm a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe Jesus died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do Your will. Thank you for your gift of salvation. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
Jesus knows you and loves you. What matters to Him is the attitude of your heart, your honesty. Remember, this is a turning point in your life; you are beginning a new life in Jesus Christ. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Talk to someone at our church and tell them that you've accepted Jesus as your Lord. As a new believer, its important to get the help and support you need in your new life and enjoy the fellowship of other believers. Our church is a hospital for recovering sinners -- we're all in the same boat! We have Bible studies and prayer services to help you learn and grow in your faith.
If you truly acknowledge Jesus Christ as your one and only Lord and Savior, here's where you can find some encouragement for your walk with Jesus.
Not sure if you are really a Christian? Test yourself.