What is the Gospel?

The Gospel in its simplest form is this; Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose from the grave so that by believing in him you receive forgiveness of sin and begin a relationship with him.

What is sin? How do I become a Christian?
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3 Things God Can't Do

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world...
He cannot love you more than he already does.
... that he gave his only son...
He cannot give a greaster gift than Jesus.
... whoever believes in him shall not perish but will have eternal life."
He cannot make it any easier to receive this gift of forgiveness.

Sin Separates

Why we need saving

At the core of our being, we are separated from a personal relationship with the one true God. As humans, we experience death and destruction that is caused by the sin in our actions and hearts. Sin is part of our human nature, expressed when we violate God’s purpose for our lives, giving into temptation, or when we fail to do something God has clearly commanded.

Humans have become unholy because of our sin. But God is holy, so he must enact justice upon unholiness. The justice deserved is death as the consequence and ultimately separation from God and all that is good.

What does Holy mean?

Holy simply means to be "set apart." But more specifically, set apart in perfection and purity. When God created humans they were in a perfect and pure relationship with him. A holy relationship. But sin corrupted this relationship and made mankind unholy.

God is holy because he is separated from sin.
We are unholy because we are sinful.

Jesus Saves

Jesus took our place.

But God, loving us so dearly, came into this world through a virgin birth and was given the name Jesus. Jesus was fully God, yet fully human who lived a life without sin. Jesus sacrificed his sinless life for our sinful lives by execution on a cross. His death was not a consequence of his sin, as he had no sin, but as a substitution for our sin, taking the judgment we deserved so that we might become righteous before the holiness of God.

Jesus rose from the grave after three days, conquering sin and death and he is able to forgive our sin and bring us into a right relationship with the Holy God. It is through God’s grace that we can believe in the Gospel of Jesus and receive the gift of forgiveness, bringing us into a personal relationship with the one true God. God himself then empowers us through his Holy Spirit to turn away from our sin and live a life of freedom to be in relationship with Himself.

When you believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus you receive salvation and become a Christian. Your next step is learning to live as God calls us to live.

Scriptures to Read

John 3:16–18 +
ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

Romans 3:23 +
ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 +
ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 +
ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9–10 +
ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Ephesians 2:8–9 +
ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

How do I become a Christian?

Living as a Christian starts when you believe in the Gospel. God will empower you through his Holy Spirit to surrender your life to him and help you to live as he has called all Christians to live. These are three examples of things that will help you begin your journey and grow as a Christian.

Step 1

How can I be forgiven of sin?

  • I understand that I have sinned and am separated from a relationship with God.
  • I believe in the Gospel of Jesus, that Jesus died on the cross taking the punishment for my sins and rose from the grave conquering death and sin.
  • By God’s grace I accept through faith in Jesus that my sins are forgiven.

Step 2

How can I live a life that honors God?

  • I surrender my life to follow Jesus and what he has called Christians to live by.
  • I commit myself to repent of my sin and walk in obedience to God.
  • I submit myself to the authority of God’s Word and to pursue God’s holiness.

Step 3

How can I grow in my relationship with God?

  • I seek to know and understand God’s Word, the Bible, and to pray and fast in order to cultivate a personal relationship with God.
  • I seek to live in a relationship with other Christians through a local church, and to worship God and give of myself and my resources towards the mission of the Church.
  • I seek to share my faith in Jesus and his Gospel message with other people in my life and to live as an example of Jesus to the world around me.

I just chose to follow Jesus!

If you have just made the decision to be a Christian, please let us know! We want to celebrate with you and help in your faith journey. Reach out to Team@redletterbasics.com

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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated into any other language.

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