For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
This is the heart of the good news. Below, in four short parts, is what it means and how you can receive it.
The gospel in four parts
God loves you
God made the world, and he made you. He is not distant from you or indifferent to you: he knows you completely, and he loves you. He made us to know him, to trust him, and to live with him in love.
By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his only born Son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9 Sin separates us from God
But every one of us has turned away from God. We have gone our own way, ignored him, and done what is wrong — not only in what we do, but in what we think and want. The Bible calls this sin.
Sin cuts us off from God, who is perfectly holy, and it ends in death. No amount of effort or good deeds can close that gap.
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 Jesus died and rose again for you
God did not leave us there. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. Jesus lived without sin, yet he died on the cross in our place, taking the penalty for our sin. On the third day he rose from the dead.
He is alive today, and through him the way back to God is open.
But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Receive God's free gift
Forgiveness and eternal life are a gift from God. You cannot earn them, and you do not need to.
God invites you to turn from your sin, trust Jesus as your Savior, and follow him as the Lord of your life. Everyone who believes in him is forgiven, becomes a child of God, and receives eternal life.
8for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, that no one would boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 that if you will 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
A prayer you can pray
God, I know that I have sinned and cannot save myself. Thank you for loving me and sending Jesus to die for my sins and rise again. I turn from my sin and put my trust in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Please forgive me and make me your child. Help me to follow you all my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
You are not saved by saying the right words, but by trusting Jesus. If this prayer says what is in your heart, tell God in your own words.
What comes next
It is normal to have questions when you are getting to know Jesus. See what you can do next, or simply talk with us.
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