The gospel is the good news that God has made a way for sinners to be forgiven and go to heaven. Of course, the "good news" only makes sense when we understand the bad news that we are all sinners and deserving of judgment. The good news of the gospel is that while we cannot save ourselves, we do not need to try to do so. Our salvation is a free gift made possible through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
A helpful explanation has been written which explains the gospel by considering four words: God, man, Jesus, response.
GOD
God Is Sovereign Creator
The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives, and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
God Is Holy
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3); therefore, He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. I Peter 1:16 states, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
MAN
Humanity Is Sinful
According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: “for there is no one who does not sin” (I Kings 8:46). That doesn’t mean we are incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we are utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).
Sin Demands a Penalty
God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death (Ezekiel 18:4). That’s why simply changing our patterns of behavior can’t solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
CHRIST
Jesus is Lord and Savior
As Creator of all and Ruler over all, Jesus Christ has authority over our lives, and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship. Romans 10:9 states, “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.” Even though God’s justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (I Peter 3:18). Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice, and Christ’s perfect life satisfied the demands of God’s holiness (II Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).
RESPONSE
The Character of Saving Faith
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3; I Thessalonians 1:9) and pursue Christ (Matthew 11:28-30; John 17:3) and obedience to Him (I John 2:3). It isn’t enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don’t love and worship Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
Suggestions for Family Devotion1. Listen to The Gospel Song
2. Read Ephesians 2:1-10 & Titus 3:3-7
3. Consider and discuss these questions:
Why do we all need forgiveness? What is it that makes us worthy of judgment if we are not forgiven?
How did God display His love? What is the proof that God is merciful?
What does Titus 3:7 mean for us when it says, "so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life"?
Ephesians 2:5 says we were "dead in our trespasses," but God "made us alive together with Christ." Have you been made alive? Has there been a time in your life where you crossed from spiritual death to spiritual life? If not, re-read the gospel presentation above and ask the Lord to forgive you of your sin and commit your life to Christ alone.
4. For all who are in the household who have been saved, take a few moments to share your testimony of conversion. Let all in your family hear the story of how the Lord brought salvation to you.
5. Close by listening to All I Have is Christ
_____________________________________
If this has been an encouragement to you, you can share this devotion on Facebook or Twitter by clicking one of the buttons below. To request prayer, please click here .
Opmerkingen