What is the Gospel?

There is a 2,000 year old truth about Jesus that may still need to be discovered in your life. The Bible informs us that we tragically exchange the truth of God for all kinds of substitutes (Romans 1:25). And yet, marvelously, the truth can win us over. It's the truth about why Jesus came and why he died.

Jesus' Bold Claim and How He Proved It

Jesus made a bold claim during his days on earth. He said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, ESV).

Did you get that? Jesus says that you can only know God the father through belief in him. That's a pretty radical statement! But he backed it up by going to the cross, dying in our place, and rising again on the third day. The Bible says that we should have been punished for breaking God's law, but he took the punishment in our place. Jesus Christ, God's Son, came to earth to reveal a marvelous message that our offenses can be forgiven and we may become reconciled to God, and have eternal life.

How You Can Know the Truth

Are you wandering, not sure about truth, lost in your search for identity? Do you know yourself to be guilty of unfaithfulness to God? Do you know you need to be saved from moral compromise? Well then, there's very good news for you. Jesus appeals to you to come to him, to ask him to forgive you and make you a child of God.

For you see, anyone who receives him has the right to become a child of God (John 1:12). This is the message Jesus taught that Peter and Mary believed. Jesus calls you to know the truth so you can be set free (John 8:32).

How You Can Receive the Truth

If you'd like to know the God of truth, lift up your empty hands of faith and trust him for your salvation. Come to him on your knees and pray this prayer:

O Lord, I am lost without you. My life is empty without your truth and your love. I commit my life to you. Forgive me for all my offenses and give me the power to do good. Reconcile me with yourself. Look at me only through the work of Jesus, and enable me to live for him. Thank you that you care for someone like me. Thank you that you welcome me into heaven, because your love knows no bounds. Help me to grow in grace and guide me in all my ways. In Christ's name, Amen.

How You Can Continue in the Truth

Every relationship requires attention and involvement in order for it to grow. It's no different in our relationship with God. Pursue these three things as you seek to grow in your relationship with Him.

Spend time listening. For a relationship to grow, we need to spend time getting to know the other person. God has given us the Bible as His special revelation. If we want to know Him, we must spend time learning what He says about Himself through the Bible.

Spend time talking. We need to share with God what is on our hearts through prayer. Of course, God already knows everything, but He still wants us to communicate with Him about our desires and needs. As Paul Miller says, "God also cheers when we come to him with our wobbling, unsteady prayers. Jesus does NOT say, 'Come to me, all you who have learned how to concentrate in prayer, whose minds no longer wander, and I will give you rest...' The criteria for coming to Jesus is weariness. Come overwhelmed with life. Come with your wandering mind. Come messy.”

Spend time with others who have trusted Christ. Now that you have committed your life to the Lord, it is important that you identify yourself to a leader from a Bible-believing church. You have begun an amazing journey! Our church is here to ensure that you grow and enjoy the Lord in fellowship, and not alone. The church will help you understand more about all of these things, and will guide you into the life of worship and the celebration of the sacraments.