Gospel

There are four acts in this story:

1. Creation: God created everything perfectly. All things were originally good and worked in perfect order
2. Fall: Mankind sinned and thus messed up the paradise that God had created; God must judge mankind
3. Redemption: Jesus is God in the flesh who lived the perfect-sinless life that humanity could not live, died, and then resurrected to prove that He is God and that He has power over death.
4. Restoration: Because of Jesus’ Resurrection, we have faith that He will bring us back to life after we die as well and take us to eternal paradise.

What’s our response?

Jesus will save everyone who is willing Rom 10:13 to repent of their sin and believe in Jesus Acts 3:19. All who refuse him will be subject to His anger Rom 2:5 because they have rejected His offer of mercy John 3:18; they will forever be condemned by God’s judgment 2 Thess 1:9.

How can I tell if I am saved?

Those who follow Jesus will be filled with God’s Spirit and empowered to live a life like Jesus, filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control Gal 5:22-23. The believer will still sin 1 John 1:10; However, they will develop the same hatred that Jesus had for sin Ps 97:10 Rom 12:9. Those who do not exemplify this hatred towards sin and craving for holiness must question whether they have been given God’s spirit and thus saved by Jesus Matt 3:8; 7:20. However, even though good deeds are expected from Christians, works do not contribute to believer’s salvation Gal 2:16; 3:3 because their sins were completely paid through the death of Jesus when God judged Him in our place.