The Gospel
The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Salvation by Grace Alone
The Gospel, often called the “Good News,” is the heart of Christian belief. It proclaims God’s love, mercy, and grace towards humanity through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here’s the essence of the Gospel and what it means to be saved:
- Our Need for Salvation:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” – Romans 3:23
Every person has sinned, creating a chasm between us and a perfect, holy God. - The Consequence of Sin:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
Our sins result in spiritual death, an eternal separation from God. But God offers a way to eternal life. - Jesus: God’s Answer to Sin:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Jesus Christ, fully God, and fully man lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again, providing a way for our redemption. - Salvation by Grace Alone:
“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
Our deeds or efforts don’t earn our salvation. It is a gift from God, received only by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This foundational truth emphasizes that salvation is an act of God’s unmerited favor, not something we can achieve on our own. - The Response to the Gospel:
“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.” – Romans 10:9
To be saved, one must believe in the resurrection of Jesus and declare Him as Lord. This faith response is what bridges the gap between us and God.
To be saved is to recognize our sinful nature, believe in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, and accept God’s gift of salvation. This salvation is based entirely on God’s grace, a divine mercy we don’t deserve but generously receive.