The Gospel literally means good news and in the New Testament of the Bible, it refers to the good news that human sin can be forgiven and the broken relationship with God, our creator, restored. It is achieved through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

It is good news because it is something that we cannot achieve ourselves through our own efforts or good deeds or worship of God. It is achieved for us by Jesus when he willingly accepted death on the cross as a punishment for our sins. All we need to do is to believe it to be true, repent of our sins, and ask Jesus for forgiveness, and that is it. It is a matter of faith.

This popular visual explains it clearly. Humans are separated from God because of Sin. Our lives are scarred and damaged, we are imperfect and destined for the scrap heap of death. God, however, does not want this to be the case. He desires our company, both now and for eternity and therefore took the initiative to bridge the gap. He sent Jesus to be the sacrifice needed to pay the price for sin. As God is a just God, a price needed to be paid for human sin. The payment was death.

God does not desire that humans should die, but live with him for eternity. Therefore, Jesus, His only son left the splendour of heaven to live as a human and ultimately pay the price on our behalf.

God is a relational being, he desires a relationship with His creations, therefore He was willing to make the first move. The only thing we need to do is to enter into that relationship. It is much more than an academic understanding of the principles; it is a personal commitment to God. A decision made by each individual to acknowledge their own sin and need for salvation. Once done, God Himself becomes part of your life through the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit begins to transform your outlook and moulds you into the creation you were intended to be when God planned to create you. This is different for everyone, but it is the same Spirit. We begin to see the world as God sees it and it transforms our own thinking and actions.

One outcome of this is the development of greater compassion, greater awareness of the need to help others, to be selfless, generous and grateful. Worship of God becomes a part of your life, an act of gratitude to God for His mercy to you and His love for you.  The response of a grateful heart is to show love towards others.

The Gospel is indeed good news; it is a real lifesaver.

How do I become a Christian?

Pray:

Dear Jesus,

I know that I have sinned. I have not recognised you as God or my saviour. I know that I need you to forgive my sin and purify my heart. Please will you do so? I believe that you died on the cross for me, that you suffered because of me, and that you rose again from the dead.  I want to love you, honour you and worship you for the rest of my life.

Amen

If you genuinely prayed the prayer, let me know. You have just begun a new life!

If you think this is rubbish and is not for you, thank you for reading this far.

If you are seeking God or looking for peace or a spiritual awakening, keep looking. Keep your heart open to Jesus. He really is real and is the only way to find real peace.

Glossary:

Faith- A total trust in God that leads to a change of outlook; A reliance on God rather than self.

Sacrifice– Giving up something, to benefit others or yourself.

Salvation-  The state of being rescued or saved from something

Sin– human thoughts, actions and words that are out of line with God’s will.