Becoming a Christian is simple…in that God has not created an elaborate, difficult process for those who want to come to Him. The Bible says that simple faith in Jesus Christ is what is needed to receive His gift of forgiveness and eternal life!
What is the Gospel?
The word “gospel” is a translation of a Greek word that means, “an announcement of good news.” The Gospel is the good news that God chose not to abandon the human race when Adam and Eve first fell into sin. God decided then and there that sin and death would not have the last word. He promised to send a Savior. When the time was right, God sent His Son into our world to be born of the Virgin Mary. Our Lord Jesus Christ lived a perfect life for us. On the cross, He received the penalty and punishment for the sins of the whole world, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Jesus rose from the dead, victorious over our ancient enemies: sin, death and the devil.
Therefore, each one who trusts in Jesus is able with great joy and confidence to declare before the whole world:“My Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.” (From Luther’s Small Catechism)
What amazing and life-changing good news! God came into our world to live, suffer, die and rise again for us. We, who are not holy or righteous, receive the forgiveness of all our sins and are given the perfect holiness and righteousness of Christ our Savior—as a free gift—purely because of His love for us. That is good news! That is the Gospel!
John 3:1-21 – “…that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life…For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life…Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
Acts 16: 29-34 – And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
“For our sake [God] made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
Are you searching for God? Is what you have in your life fulfilling, or do you feel empty? If these words resonate with you, then you need to experience God by encountering Jesus. He is the good Shepherd of love and forgiveness. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand,” (John 10:27-28).
Do you have concerns like these?
Do you believe God is calling out to you? He said that His sheep hear HIS voice and they follow Him. Is He calling to you? Do you hear his voice in your heart?
Do you want to know the truth that you can be completely forgiven, to have your guilt and shame taken from you? Jesus offers all of this to those who will trust Him! (Matt. 9:1-7; Luke 5:20; 7:48).
Do you want to know God? Jesus reveals God (Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22).
Do you want to have joy and peace? Jesus gives them (John 15:11, John 14:27).
You won’t find God in man-made religions like Islam, Mormonism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.
You only find God through Jesus! Jesus is clear when He says; “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me,” (John 14:6). Trust Him. After all, He raised people from the dead, performed great miracles, died, and rose from the dead Himself. Who else has done that?