The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best news you will ever hear. It starts with a problem that affects everyone: sin. Sin is anything we do, say, or think that goes against God’s perfect ways. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This means that everyone, no matter how good they try to be, has sinned and missed the mark of God’s perfection.
Because of our sin, we are separated from God. Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This verse explains that the result of sin is death, which means being apart from God forever. But it also tells us that God offers a gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
God loves us so much that He made a way for us to be forgiven and to have a relationship with Him. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus, who is God’s Son, came to earth and lived a perfect life. He took the punishment for our sins by dying on the cross. Then, He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death.
This is the core of the Gospel: Jesus died for our sins and rose again. Because of what Jesus did, we can be forgiven and have eternal life. And we must realize that it is not our good works or a good life that earns us salvation; it is completely the gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9.
But this gift of forgiveness and eternal life isn’t automatic; we must personally receive it. Romans 10:9 explains how: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This means we need to confess Jesus as our Lord and truly believe that He is alive.
When we trust in Jesus, we are saved from our sins and the punishment they bring. We become children of God and receive the Holy Spirit to help us live for Him. John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
To trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you can pray a simple prayer like this:
“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
When you trust in Jesus, you start a new life with Him. You are forgiven, and you have the hope of eternal life with God. This is the amazing, life-changing message of the Gospel.
The Christian Life
After someone has prayed to trust Jesus as their Savior, they begin a new journey in their faith. Here are some steps a brand-new Christian can take to grow:
Read the Bible Daily: The Bible is God’s Word and is essential for spiritual growth. Start with the Gospel of John to learn about the life of Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Pray Regularly: Prayer is simply talking to God. Share your thoughts, concerns, and thanks with Him. Philippians 4:6 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Join a Church: Find a solid, Bible-believing, Bible-preaching church in your area. Being part of a local church provides community, support, and opportunities to learn and serve. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us, “Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Get Baptized: Baptism is an outward sign of your faith in Jesus. It shows that you have died to your old life and have been raised to a new life in Christ.
Share Your Faith: Tell others about what Jesus has done for you. It helps you grow and encourages others. Matthew 28:19-20 instructs us, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Learn to Rely on the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit lives within you and helps you understand the Bible, pray, and live a godly life. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Serve Others: Jesus taught us to love and serve others. Find ways to help people in your church and community. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Stay Encouraged and Persevere: Following Jesus can be challenging, but remember that God is always with you. Philippians 1:6 assures us, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Growing in your faith is a lifelong journey. By taking these steps, you will continue to deepen your relationship with God and become a stronger follower of Christ.