The greatest message we have is also the greatest message ever shared, and it is the message of Jesus Christ. Many have heard of His name, many have used it in vain, even in worship, but there are some who know Him personally. Wait, you might say, Jesus was crucified and killed for the sins of the world almost 2,000 years ago, how can anyone today know Him personally? True, as a man, Jesus was crucified and killed for the sins of the world but He proved Himself also to be God through His resurrection three days later. He can indeed be known personally today because He lives! His death was something every person needs, but none deserve it.
In sum, God created the first man and woman for fellowship and with the ability to procreate. Humanity is God's idea! The first couple however, decided not to fellowship with God and chose to sin instead. Because of this sin, death entered into humanity, along with disease, disaster and moral degradation. Highly unsatisfied with humanity's chosen predicament and downward spiral into darkness and separation, God prepared a remedy for those who choose to accept.
Shortly after Adam and Eve's sin in the garden, God promised deliverance through the offspring of a woman. He promised that a comming Seed would conquer sin and death through death. God then painted a picture of hope through the Old Testament writings by showing that the innocent must pay for the guilty. At first, this concept sounds unfair, and it is, for the innocent should not have to pay for the sins of others. However, from God's perspective, which is the right one, innocent and guilty are synonymous with life and death. A guilty dead person cannot make him or herself innocent or alive. Intervention is required.
Enter Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the true story about the God who became man so that He could die as a man. All of the Old Testament sacrifices were not just rituals to appease God for this they could never do. They were examples designed to point to the one sacrifice that could appease God - His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus into humanity to die for the sins of all humanity - past, present and future. This includes you! Even though there are many religions in this world, even different variations of Christianity, true authentic Christianity can be reduced in thought to the simplicity of the Gospel.
The Gospel is the message that we are all collectively and individually sinful and deserving of death. We are guilty. Jesus, on the other hand, is innocent and not deserving of death. Because of this, He alone is uniquely qualified to pay our individual sin debts by giving His innocent life on the Cross. He is our intervention. To receive this payment to your account, Jesus does not ask for a return payment in kind. He does not require servitude. He does not ask for anything in exchange for His life. He only asks that you receive it! You must only believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, that He gave Himself on the Cross for your sin, and that He rose bodily from the grave so that He can share His resurrected life with you personally!
The Gospel is as simple as believing and receiving, and it brings you into the eternal family of God! While being a part of a local New Testament Church is required for spiritual growth and highly encouraged, it is not required for you to be saved. Believing in and receiving Jesus as your personal Savior requires only a private conversation between you and Him in prayer. Notice these following verses:
9 “…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
11 “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
12 “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”
13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Call on JESUS today!