What is the Gospel Message?

The Bible is a wonderful book. It is God's message to mankind, and it contains everything that we need to know to live our lives the way our Creator intended (2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.). There are countless truths and principles for us to learn and live by found in the Bible, but if you were to boil everything down to its most basic message, the Bible says these three things.

First, the Bible says that mankind has a problem, and that problem is called sin. Sin is any action or attitude that falls short of God's perfect standard. Every one of us has the problem of sin (Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God). And the Bible teaches us that there is a consequence to sin - sin separates us from a holy God (Habakkuk 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?). In fact, the Bible tells us that end result of sin is death (Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.) and that there is nothing that we ourselves can do to solve the problem of sin.

Second, the Bible says that there is a solution to the problem of sin, and that solution is the person of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord). The Bible tells us that God loved us so much that he sent Jesus, His only Son, to die in our place (John 3:16 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.). Jesus paid the penalty of your sin so that you would not have to be forever separated from God (I John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.). The Bible also tells us that Jesus is the only solution for our sin problem (John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.).

 Third, the Bible demands a decision. It is not enough to just know about Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for you. You must choose to put your trust in Christ, to receive this free gift of salvation that God offers (John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--).

All of us have the problem of sin. There is only one solution to the problem - the person of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for us. Every one of us must decide... 

What will you do with Jesus Christ?

That is the question that every one of us must answer. The Bible says that the only way to get rid of our sin problem, our only way to be right with the Creator God is to accept His free gift of salvation given through His Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.").

You must make a decision! What are your options?

There are only three possible answers to the question, "What will you do with Jesus Christ?"

1. To say yes, to accept God's free gift of salvation by putting your trust in Jesus Christ.
2. To say no, to reject God's offer of salvation. The Bible says that those who make this choice will spend eternity separated from God in a place called Hell.  
3. To say maybe, to try to put off the decision to a more convenient time. The Bible does say that God is patient, wanting everyone to come to the point of accepting His gift of salvation (II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance). But none of us is promised that we will be here tomorrow, and because of this "x-factor" of death, trying to put off our decision by saying maybe automatically puts us in the "no" category.

So, in reality, there are only two answers to the question, "What will you do with Jesus Christ?" To accept His free gift of salvation or to reject that gift.

Let me ask you, "What have you done with Jesus Christ?" If you have never accepted God's offer of eternal life, I can think of no better time than right now (II Corinthians 6:2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation). If you would like to say yes to Christ, you can do it right now, wherever you are, whatever you are doing. Join me in our prayer room to talk to Him and invite Him into your life.

The invitation is open - you can accept the gift of salvation and get rid of the sin in your life. It doesn't matter what you're doing or what you've done. The offer is open to everyone.

If you would like to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ, right now, right where you are, you need only ask Him.

If you've come this far, you probably realize you're about to make the most important decision of your life.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." He also said, "whoever comes to me I will never drive away."

So if you ask Him, you will be accepted.

The way believers talk to the Lord is through prayer. Your prayer should be your own, from your own heart to His. If you're not in the habit of praying, though, you may need an example.

An example of such a prayer may go something like this:

Father in Heaven,
I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness.
I believe that Your Son Jesus died in my place,
to pay the penalty for my sin,
and rose again for my salvation.
I want to turn from my sinful ways,
so I now ask you, Lord Jesus, to come
into my life as my Savior and my Lord.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The Bible says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." So if you have asked Him into your life, and believe He died to save you, you are a Christian, bound for Heaven.

Send mail to Norm Buck with questions or comments about this web site.

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Last modified: September 19, 2007