In the world we have death, pain (physical and emotional), consequences of our actions or the actions of others. The Bible explains to us that it's all related to our sinful hearts and it has the answers that are needed for our lives. It's called good news which is another name for the gospel. So, let's go to God's word and find out what that good news is:
1 - We must understand and believe that we are all sinners. We are God's enemies because we sin in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We have broken His laws. So, we are separated from Him. (Humans were first created perfectly sinless, but that nature was changed to sinful after Adam and Eve first sinned against God - Genesis chapter 1-3).
Romans 3:10 ...as it is written, there is none righteous, not even one... Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 - God is Holy, perfect, and just so He doesn't accept us with our sinful hearts.
Revelation 4:8 ..."Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come."
3 - God is the one who initiates our reconciliation back to Him. He did this by coming to this earth being born as a baby, growing to become a man, and dying on the cross to take our punishment upon himself so we could be forgiven of our sinfulness. Jesus' death was God's perfect payment for our sins. After 3 days Jesus rose from the dead. We can't try and earn our way to God by our own efforts. It was completely paid for by Christ's work on the cross.
Isaiah 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not as a result of works so that no one may boast.
4 - Now God will give us the free gift of forgiveness, a changed nature, and His Holy Spirit to live inside us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creature, the old things have passed away the new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
5 - How do we receive God's forgiveness? By personally believing you are sinful and in need of a right relationship with Him. By coming to understand that it's a personal trust in Jesus' death and resurrection alone that makes you stand right with Him. By being willing to stop living your life in sin (this is called repentance), Mark 1:15, Luke 15:7 and recognizing and bowing to Him as Lord Romans 10:9-10 of your life. This is our prayer as you consider these important things:
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Romans 10:13 says for Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. If you have taken this step of faith and asked God to forgive you we would love to hear about it. Please let us know via our contact page.
To God be the Glory!!
