What Is The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

While our primary mission is to help people find freedom in their finances, there is a Great Mission that eternally surpasses making sure the checkbook is balanced. And that is sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many people hear the word “Gospel” and have various thoughts running through their mind. Is it a style of music? Is it just a part of the Bible? What exactly is it? Well, in this article, I wanted to break it down for anyone trying to understand the gospel. Ultimately, when we look at the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it’s simply the greatest gift, message and promise ever told. So, let’s explore.

Creation

In order for us to truly grasp and appreciate this great promise, we need to start at the beginning.

In the beginning, God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them. (Genesis 1:1-31) It was perfect, and in a way, heaven on earth. When God had finished all the work He had done, He said, “It is VERY good. “(Genesis 1:31) I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to walk in that original garden where He placed Adam and Eve.

There was no crying, sickness, or pain. Just as we are promised will be the case in the new heaven and earth after Satan is destroyed. (Revelation 21:4) Work was actually enjoyable and childbearing was much less painful. But, all of that was about to change.

Paradise Lost (The Fall of Mankind)

In the garden, God gave Adam and Eve one rule. He had provided plenty of food for them to eat. So He told them they could eat from any tree in the garden, except one. Only one. It was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They were not even to touch it. And He warned them that in the day that they ate of it they would die (Genesis 2:16-17).

Of course, Satan had other plans, and he tempted Eve in the form of a serpent. (Genesis 3) That temptation got the best of her (and Adam, who was right there with her), and paradise was lost forever on this earth. They had broken the one and only command God had given them and committed the first sin.

That’s the moment death entered the picture. For the punishment for sin is death. (Romans 6:23) Not only physical death, but spiritual also. So now, we have disease, natural disasters, famines, and overwhelming hatred and violence running rampant throughout the entire world.

There is no escape on this side of heaven. One reality is, we will all die. Until the moment that Jesus comes to take His people home.

One single act of disobedience, the breaking of one simple rule, is what has led to the mess of our world today.

The Law

After God rescued the Israelites from the heavy labor and slavery imposed on them from Pharaoh and the Egyptians, he gave Moses a written code for them to live by. He gave them the 10 commandments. He also gave them many other laws and instructions on how to carry out their lives and temple duties, as well. He gave these laws to us so that we would know what sin actually is, and could be careful to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. And by doing so we would be blessed.

Let’s look at the 10 commandments recorded in Exodus 20:3-17 (NLT)

3 “You must not have any other god but me.

4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord
your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any
other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the
entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth
generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.

8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord
your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This
includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants,
your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

13 “You must not murder.

14 “You must not commit adultery.

15 “You must not steal.

16 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.

17 “You
must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your
neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else
that belongs to your neighbor.”

Now, knowing full well they were going to mess things up, as we continue to do so today, God gave them a system to make things right again. A blood sacrifice to cover sin, also known as the sacrificial system. (Leviticus 1-7)

This is where people would bring various animals and grains, without blemish, to the priest to be sacrificed as an atonement for the sin that they had committed. There were several times and festivals throughout the year when they would come together to worship God and offer these sacrifices to make things right again.

The Bad News

In order for us to get into heaven when we die, we need to be perfect. Not just the last moments before we die, but over the course of our entire life. For if we sin even once in our entire time on earth, we are guilty of breaking God’s law and committed sin. God is perfect, pure, and holy and cannot even look at sin. (Habakkuk 1:13)

The problem is, many of us falsely believe that we can be “good enough” to get into heaven when we take that last breath. That somehow our “good deeds” will outweigh the bad stuff we did. Unfortunately, it’s impossible. For it is written that no one is righteous, not even one! For all of us fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:10-18)

When we take our last breath, we go to judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

That’s the point of no return. No more chances to repent and seek His forgiveness.

Remember, the punishment for sin is death, both physically and spiritually. And there is a place that was created for Satan and his angels, known as the lake of fire. (Matthew 25:41)

All of those who do not surrender and accept God’s free gift of salvation will spend eternity there as well.

The Good News

The good news is that God knew that we would never be able to do it on our own. So, He sent an advocate for us. Someone to take our place. And that if we repent, surrender, and trust in Him alone we will live with Him in His kingdom forever. (Romans 3:25)

That advocate is Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son.

He came to earth. Was born of a virgin. (Luke 1:26-38) Lived a perfect, sinless life. (1 Peter 2:22) And took the punishment that we deserve. He literally died in our place, as the sin of the world was upon Him as He hung on that cross.

He loved us so much that He came down from heaven and died for us. There is nothing we could do to earn it, nothing we could do to change it. He said, “It is finished” and took His last breath. (John 19:28-30)

3 days later, He rose again and showed the world that He holds the key to death and the grave. (Revelation 1:18)

If we surrender to Him and accept the gift He has given us, the moment after we die becomes a wonderful experience. Because God doesn’t see our sin. He sees His son, our Advocate, Jesus Christ!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~Romans 6:23 NLT~

And our names are written in the book of life, and we will live with Him for all eternity. (Luke 10:20)

Final Thoughts

God’s plan is simple. He loved us enough to send His son to take our place. While we were still sinners, He did this for us. (Romans 5:8)

All we need to do is humble ourselves, lay down our pride, and seek Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We need to take up our cross daily and follow Him. That means that all areas of our lives: our time, our talent, and our treasure (finances) belong to Him. We give Him full control and let Him work through us to accomplish His will.

“ For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’.” ~Romans 10:13 NLT~

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, make that decision today. Remember, we are not guaranteed another moment. Take the opportunity right now and call out to Him.

It’s the best decision you will ever make.

You can start with this prayer:

“Father in heaven, I confess to You that I have broken your commands, and I’m in need of Your grace and forgiveness. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth and died to take my place that I fully deserve. I surrender now, and call upon Your name. I want You to be Lord of my life. Please forgive my sins and help me to repent and live for You. Show me how to use the time, talent, and treasure You have given me for Your glory. Thank you, Jesus, for taking my place and saving me. In Jesus’ name, amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, I want to be the first to say, congratulations and welcome to the family of God!

I want to strongly encourage you to find a Bible believing church in your area and get plugged in with some other believers who can help you grow in your faith and help you with your next steps. Share with them how you just accepted Christ and ask them about baptism. Tell your family and friends about your decision. Invite them to come along.

If you don’t own a Bible yet, I encourage you to get one and read it daily. Here is an affiliate link to one that I highly recommend. It’s the life application study bible.