What is the Christian Message?
What is the Christian Message?
The Christian message is one of hope and is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The word “gospel” simply means “good news”.
‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’, 1Timothy 1.15
Human Need
The suffering, disease and death that we experience in our world was never God’s intention when he created this world. God’s creation was perfect but was spoiled by the disobedience of the first man Adam. This disobedience is called sin. The relationship between God and man was broken.
‘By one man (Adam) sin entered the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned’, Romans 5.12.
God’s remedy
It has always been God’s desire to restore his relationship with man, his created being. God could not ignore sin. If he did he would cease to be holy. Just as in a court of law wrongdoing has to be punished, so God in his righteousness must punish sin.
‘The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord’, Romans 3. 23.
In an act of supreme love and grace , he sent his only son, Jesus Christ into this world to pay the price of man’s disobedience. Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, offered himself and died the death of a criminal on the cross in order to provide a way back to God for mankind. God showed his approval and acceptance of this by raising Jesus from the dead 3 days later.
‘Christ also suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.’ 1 Peter 3. 18.
God’s way of forgiveness
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has provided the way back to God. Repenting of our sin, and in faith accepting God’s provision restores our relationship with God. We MUST believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that his sacrificial death is sufficient for our forgiveness and the only way of receiving God’s salvation.
Repentance is a complete U-turn and change of direction, turning from sin to Christ.
God’s promise
‘If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved’, Romans 10. 9.
Salvation is a free gift from God. It is based on Jesus Christ alone, and once received cannot be lost or taken away. Receiving Him we have eternal life, a sure hope of a home in heaven, and the help of the Holy Spirit whilst here on earth.
‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creature. Old things are passed away, behold all things have become new.’ 2 Corinthians 5.17.
Your response
What will you do with this good news? Will you repent of your sins to God and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?