First, The Bad News
The hunger of every soul is to know God personally, whether we are willing to admit it or not. The more we try to live life according to our own rules, to go our own way, the more problems we create for ourselves. The human heart yearns for something more, something beyond ourselves. We long to know the one who created us, our Father in heaven. The problem is, there is a huge obstacle between us and the Creator. It is called "sin." Sin is willful rebellion against God and His righteous standards revealed in His Word (the Bible). Whenever we engage in actions, motives, or intentions which are contrary to God, we are committing "sin." Sin separates us from God. The prophet Isaiah wrote, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear," (Isaiah 59:1-2). The Apostle Paul wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23). The present result of our sin is that God has withdrawn from us. A holy God can't have fellowship with unholy people. The future result of our sin is death, and eternal punishment, "for the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). A just and righteous God cannot allow sin to go unpunished. This is what the Bible calls "the second death." "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:15). Every person is in a hopeless condition unless God takes the initiative to rescue us, and do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
The Good News
But, the Bible is not a book about hopelessness and condemnation. It is God's message of love to mankind. Its core message is the "good news" (Gospel). The Apostle Paul summarized the Gospel like this: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us [in our place]" (Romans 5:8). The Apostle John explained the core message of the Bible this way: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God," (John 3:16-18). The Apostle Peter concludes: "Christ suffered for you, ... He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. ... He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray..." (1 Peter 2:21-25). The essence of the Gospel is God's rescue mission for those who are doomed and hopeless.
God has provided the means of our salvation, the death of His Son in our place. That once for all sacrifice provided the legal basis for our pardon from sin. But, each and every person needs to receive God's forgiveness through a personal encounter with Him. In this encounter, by means of His Spirit, God not only pardons all our sins, He also fundamentally changes the heart of the individual. The old life, which is contrary to God, is put to death and a new life begins. Jesus called this transformation the "new birth." When a very religious man named Nicodemus came to Jesus he was told, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3:3). Nicodemus was puzzled by Jesus' words, not knowing what He meant. Jesus explained: "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). His religion and relatively good living was still not good enough. He needed a "new birth," being reborn in water, and also in God's Spirit — something God alone can do in the human heart. Later, when Jesus sent His Apostles out to preach the good news after His crucifixion and resurrection, He told them, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16).
Fifty days after Jesus rose from teh dead, the Apostle Peter preached the very first complete Gospel sermon to a large crowd. He explained who Jesus was, and why He had come. When many in the crowd believed the Gospel message, and wanted to be forgiven of their sins, they asked Peter and the other Apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Peter replied, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:38-39).
The Gift of God is for You!
God loved you so much, He sent His only Son to take the judgment and penalty for your sins. Jesus loved you so much, He volunteered to suffer in your place, to satisfy the penalty due for your sins and the sins of the whole world. He did this in order to offer you:
How to Respond to God's Gift of Love
The Bible calls salvation "the gift of God." You cannot earn it. You cannot do anything to deserve it. You must simply receive God's gift, being joined to His Son in the manner He prescribes. If you are tired of the life of sin and desire God's free gift of salvation, here is how He said to receive it:
It is as simple as that. When you meet these conditions, God takes care of the rest according to His promises. You will become His child. Your relationship with God will instantly change, from His being your judge, to being your Father. He has given His word, and will honor it always.
If the Spirit of God has been prodding you to obey the good news, if you believe the Word of God presented in this article, if you are willing to forsake all that displeases God with His help, then you should take the final step of obedience — have a servant of God baptize you in water according to His command, confessing your faith in Jesus Christ. We are ready and eager to introduce you to the One who can save you, and to baptize you as He commands.
