The
Gospel
John 3:16
| G | od so loved the world, that He gave His |
| O | nly begotten |
| S | on, that whosoever believes in Him shall not |
| P | erish, but have |
| E | everlasting |
| L | ife |
WHY DID GOD CREATE:
The heart of the Creator of all things - is love (1 John 4:16). Because God is love, He decided to create a beautiful universe, and fill it with life. Why? So He can be with and love His children (1 Corinthians 2:9, Ephesians 1:4-5, John 1:1-2, 14). Love grows, and love enjoys loving relationships. God didn't want this relationship to disappear someday, either. He wants to spend eternity with His loving children, so He created His children as eternal beings (Acts 24:15, Daniel 12:2, Genesis 1:26-27).
WHY DOES EVIL EXIST:
Of course, in order for His children to truly love Him, they must freely choose to love Him. Therefore God decided to create life with freewill (Genesis 2:16-17, Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Joshua 24:15).
Because of the existence of freewill, the opportunity to not choose to love and obey God exists. This can be a sad fact, because many will choose not to love and obey God, but it must be so, in order for love to bear true meaning. This is why evil exists. God allows evil to exist for a short season, (on the scale of eternity), in order for all to choose Him with their own freewill. Once this choice has been made throughout all creation, evil will pass away (Revelation 20:14-15).
THE MEANING OF LIFE:
That's the meaning of life by the way. To choose to love and obey God, and have an eternal loving relationship with Him. Once this choice is made, the meaning of life grows to incorporate trying to reveal this truth to others, so that they may also choose to love and obey God, and have an eternal loving relationship with Him (1 Corinthians 2:9, Ephesians 1:4-6, John 1:1-2, 14).
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FREE WILL IS USED FOR EVIL:
Unfortunately, because of the existence of freewill, sin has, in
fact, occurred on earth, beginning in Genesis
3:6. What's worse, sin has a spreading effect once it is turned loose.
There is no human means to stop its corruption. Sin was turned loose in the
earth with the very first man and woman, (Adam and Eve), and has spread throughout the
entire earth since that time (Romans 3:23,
Romans 5:12-15
Because God is perfect, (Psalm 18:30), there is no tolerance for sin; the penalty of sin
is death (Genesis 2:17, Romans 5:12). God defines death as
returning to the dust of the earth, (Genesis
3:19), and calls it a curse, known as "...the last enemy" (1 Corinthians 15:26). In
essence, any rejection of God's rule is sin. It began with Adam, and has since been
endorsed by all humanity (Romans 5:12).
So - it appears there is a great dilemma - because after sin was introduced into the
world, all have been BORN into sin, living in bodies with a sinful nature. All are
penalized with death even from birth!
GOD'S METHOD OF DEALING WITH SIN:
God knew that humanity needed a means of escaping sin. That's
why the first thing He said about sin concerned His means of correcting it (Genesis 3:14-15). His Son, Jesus, is
the answer, who is first mentioned as the seed of the woman, in Genesis 3:14-15. You
see, God decided that since humanity doesn't have the "Umph" to deal with sin
and death, (never did and never will - despite all the religions and doctrines in the
world that claim otherwise), He had to take care of this problem Himself. He
therefore imbed Himself inside the womb of a human female by the name of Mary, and became
a human being. The Creator of all things - became human (John 1:1-2, 14, Colossians 2:9-10). Is this not amazing? His
name was Jesus - and still is. He lived a life of purity, and obedience to God - a
life of love - healing - and forgiveness. Because of His will power, He was able to
live perfectly, without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
He then ended His life on earth by sacrificing Himself for all (Romans 5:8-10, 1
Peter 3:18). Then again by His power, He defeated death by rising from the dead
(John 10:17-18, Romans 8:10-11).
GOD'S CALLING
God offers the free gift of salvation to all who will ask. He calls upon all of us to turn from our sinful ways and trust in what Jesus Christ has done for us. There is nothing we can do to remove our guilt before God. Doing good things doesn't remove our sin, and since all are sinners, nothing we can do can unto that; it's only by the mercy of God that we can be saved through what He has done (Ephesians 2:8-10). The gift of salvation is eternally rewarded, but to those that refuse to repent and turn to God, they will have no place in His kingdom. Therefore whoever spurns God's offer will suffer His wrath in the judgement to come, which the Bible clearly warns of. This terrifying prospect (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10) is a reality that Jesus spoke much of, warning people of their fate.
GOD'S JUSTICE
God is perfect justice (Psalms 19:7), perfect mercy (2 Corinthians 1:3-5), and all powerful (Romans 1:19-20). Jesus' sacrifice is the best example of all of these attributes. The fact that He died - and paid the penalty of sin - is justice. God accepts sacrifice, and has allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to be sacrificed to atone for all of the sin in the world. The price had to be paid - but He picked up the tab! Whatever sins anyone has ever committed - past, present, or future - have all been atoned for. All people have to do is ask, and believe.
GOD'S MERCY
The fact that Jesus died - yet Jesus is without sin - is mercy. He didn't have to die - He is blameless - yet He died for all who would ask for Him to take their place! (Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18). This was the requirement in order for His sacrifice to truly atone for the sin of the world. If He were a sinner Himself, He'd only be getting the punishment He deserved. But because He is perfect, His crucifixion allowed Him to be made worthy to forgive all that would come to Him and ask His forgiveness.
GOD'S POWER
As for being all powerful, this is displayed in
Jesus' perfect life - (the power to live perfectly - Hebrews 4:15), in His miracles, and especially in His
resurrection. He died to atone for sin, and arose from the dead to prove that the
atonement was not without meaning. He has power over death, and will give that power
to all who ask Him for forgiveness of sins, and salvation.
WHY JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE:
Now when God sacrificed His son - it wasn't easy. Would it be easy for you to allow your child to be murdered? He doesn't take His son's death lightly - despite the fact that Jesus was resurrected. God stands outside of time and space, and can see His son's death as if it were present - for eternity! He can hear the cries of His son, "Father, why have you forsaken me!", (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34), for all eternity. This is His means of saving humanity, and there IS no other way. If there were - He would've taken it, because I assure you, neither He, nor His son desired the brutal murder of the cross. This is serious business, and it's why God allows for no other means of salvation. But hey - I'm really glad there is no other way, because His way is the easiest, and the best - though it is sad that Jesus had to be crucified in order to make it happen! Nobody has to go through any rituals, or punishments. All people have to do is lay aside their pride, and stop trying to reach God by their own strength. All they have to do is look to Jesus, because He is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE; there is no way to the Father, except by Him. (John 14:6)
HOW MIGHT ONE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?
Salvation is a free gift. There's only one thing that people
have to do to receive it. Ask Jesus for forgiveness of their sins. He forgives
all! No sin is unforgivable. Of course, one must have enough faith to ask such
a question. This is a problem for many, because they simply don't perceive what
faith actually is. Let me make this even easier. Simply ask Him, Jesus - to
forgive you of your sins and save you - and HOPE He's real. I assure you, in His
infinite mercy, you are saved if you do this. Put your hope in Him, and He, and I
both promise you, you will not be let down. You don't even have to change your life before
you come to Him. He'll take care of those details later on. Just stop
right now - and send up a prayer to Him.
There are other ways of rewording the act of asking God for salvation.
For example, Acts 20:20-21 states that
you must have "Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ".
Repentance means a complete change of heart and mind regarding sin - that you agree with
God about your sin and want to live a life pleasing to Him. Faith in Jesus Christ entails
accepting who He is, "The Son of the living God", that "Christ
died for the ungodly", and that He conquered death through His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
But all of these Christian phrases simply boil down to believing in God enough to ask for
forgiveness of sins from His Son, Jesus Christ, and allowing Him to work in our lives to
conform us into better people. He really carries the brunt of the workload - mainly
because people are so spiritually weak and puny.
It's all that easy.
God bless you!
P.S. Please let me know (jmilor@yahoo.com)
if you've read this, and have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and save your
soul. I would like to take the time to answer any of the questions you may have
about being a new believer in Jesus Christ. God Bless you again, and praise the Lord
you're saved!
Scripture References
16
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1 Corinthians 2:9
9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Ephesians 1:4-5
4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good
pleasure of his will
John 1:1-2, 14 *See note
1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God... 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.Note: God became flesh - to be intimately linked to us, and to save us.
Acts 24:15 *See note
15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Note: All spirits are eternal, whether they are obediant and faithful to God or not. Everlasting damnation isn't God's desire, for He is not willing that any should perish, but it exists because it is a byproduct of freewill. The fact that all spirits are eternal, however, is evident in that they exist for eternity, whether they are saved with God, or eternally separated from God.
Daniel 12:2 *See note
2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to
everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Note: All spirits are eternal, whether they are obediant and faithful to God or not. Everlasting damnation isn't God's desire, for He is not willing that any should perish, but it exists because it is a byproduct of freewill. The fact that all spirits are eternal, however, is evident in that they exist for eternity, whether they are saved with God, or eternally separated from God.
26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 2:16-17 *See note
16
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.Note: While it isn't explicitly stated that humans have freewill, it is implied by the fact that God created the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and gave Adam and Eve the choice of whether to obey Him and not eat it, or to disobey Him, and eat it.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 *See note
19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Note: While it isn't explicitly stated that humans have freewill, it is implied by the fact that people obviously have the ability to choose life - and to love and obey God, as it is mentioned in this passage of scripture.
Joshua 24:15 *See Note
15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.Note: While it isn't explicitly stated that humans have freewill, it is implied by the fact that people obviously have the ability to choose life - and to love and obey God, as it is mentioned in this passage of scripture.
14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Ephesians 1:4-6
4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good
pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath
made us accepted in the beloved.
1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God... 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, (NOT), and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 5:12
12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so
death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned...
30
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31For who is God save the LORD?
17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Romans 5:12-15
12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so
death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin
was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless
death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude
of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15But
not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one
many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one
man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Genesis 3:19
19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the
ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou
return.
1 Corinthians 15:26
26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Romans 5:12-15
12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so
death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin
was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless
death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude
of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15But
not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one
many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one
man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Genesis 3:14-15
14And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art
cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go,
and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15And I will put enmity
between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head,
and thou shalt bruise his heel.
John 1:1-2, 14
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. 2The same was in the beginning with God... 14And the Word was
made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only
begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Colossians 2:9-10
9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye
are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.
Hebrews 4:15
15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Romans 5:8-10
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall
be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were
reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved
by his life.
1 Peter 3:18
18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he
might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
John 10:17-18
17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my
life, that I might take it again. 18No man taketh
it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to
take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Romans 8:10-11
10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but
the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of him
that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead
shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we
are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them.
7
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of God.
Romans 1:19-20
19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath
shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation
of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even
his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
Romans 5:8
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
1 Peter 3:18
18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he
might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
Hebrews 4:15
15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Matthew 27:46
46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why
hast thou forsaken me?
Mark 15:34
34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God,
my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
John 14:6
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 20:20-21
20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but
have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21Testifying
both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord
Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you,
which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved,
if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3For
I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our
sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22
21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection
of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
alive.
