The Gospel is the good news of how can a man be right before God. Yet it is here that we encounter the greatest single obstacle to human salvation imaginable: How can an absolutely just and righteous Judge ever justify (declare righteous) an absolutely guilty and condemned criminal? How can any human being escape the damnation of hell? We are told by God Himself that, “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.”1 There is only one answer: A man can be right with God only through the life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ on his behalf. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.“2 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”3 Christ alone can make us right with God.4
God’s Solution: Justification & Regeneration
The ultimate and only problem of humanity is sin. Man’s problem with sin has two aspects, one internal and the other external: Not only does every person have a bad heart; he also has a bad record in the eyes of God’s law. Sin both defiles him and condemns him; its power rules within him, and its penalty rests upon him. Man is both helpless and hopeless — his plight is truly impossible. Into this situation of darkness and despair a great light has shown. Jesus has come. He can and will save his people from both the penalty and power of their sins. He does the former in justification; He does the latter in regeneration.5
Do you know what the Cross means?
The Cross means you are bad enough to go to hell and you needed something supplied outside of your efforts to make a way to heaven, and that is offensive to the self-righteous man and to his pride. Because it says: Man, you are NOT good. You are so bad and sinful that God had to slaughter His own Son as a sacrifice in order to make a way for you to be saved from your sin that is so filthy.
It Will Cost You Everything
Jesus said “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”6and “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”7 – The Bible is clear that to truly follow Christ is to be surrendered entirely to Christ. Jesus is not just someone’s Savior from sin but He is Lord of their life. Anyone who bears the name of Christian, but is still their own master cannot truly be saved. As Jesus said“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other…”8
Am I Truly Saved? 10 Tests of Assurance
Many people grow up as professing “Christians” but does your life bear the evidences of someone who has been saved? Jesus said “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”9 One of the tests of assurance is that true salvation changes the way you act when nobody is watching because you know that God is watching. Your faith is that real, it is that powerful, it is that controlling — that when nobody is watching, you know God is, and it prevents you from doing things on the computer that otherwise you would rather do.
You say, “I Want to Be Saved!” Then Come to Jesus, Don’t Wait!
The Bible says that today is the day of salvation and near the very end of the Bible it says “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”10 You can come without price because Christ has paid the price with His own blood on the Cross.
Are you still carrying the burden of sin and guilt? Are you still under the wrath of God? “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” There is a “fountain for sin and impurity.” “The blood of Jesus, God’s Son cleanse us from all sin.” No matter how great your sins may be, they are nothing compared to the infinite worth of Christ’s blood! Come to Him! He invites and commands you to come; you need not fear that you are being presumptuous by coming: “And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” Come to Him! Take the water of life! Cast your sins upon Him and trust Him as your sin-bearer. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved.”
Do you have a question about your own soul? You can Be Honest with us here.
Watch video testimonies of those who’ve found rest in Christ here.
For a deeper study of the Gospel you will find this free PDF booklet helpful.
1 – Proverbs 17:15
2 – 1 Peter 2:24
3 – 2 Corinthians 5:21
4 – Quote from Charles Leiter’s book Justification & Regeneration
5 – Question from Justification & Regeneration
6 – Luke 6:46
7 – Luke 14:33
8 – Matthew 6:24
9 – Matthew 7:20
10 – Revelation 22:17