Understanding the Gospel: The Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ

The gospel is the foundation of the Christian faith. At its core, it is the message of God’s love for humanity and His plan to redeem us through Jesus Christ. But what exactly is the gospel, and why is it called the “good news”? In this post, we will explore key passages from the New Living Translation (NLT) of the Bible to gain a clear understanding of the gospel and its significance in our lives.

What Is the Gospel or Good News?

The word “gospel” means “good news.” But why is it good news? Simply put, the gospel tells us how we can be saved from our sins and have a relationship with God. It’s a message of hope, love, and eternal life.

To fully appreciate the good news, however, we first need to understand the bad news.

Humanity’s Problem: Sin

In Romans 3:23 (NLT), we read, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” This verse is a sobering reminder that none of us are perfect. Every person, regardless of their background, has sinned. Sin is anything that goes against God’s will and design—whether it’s our actions, thoughts, or attitudes. It separates us from God because God is holy and cannot be in the presence of sin.

Imagine you are standing on one side of a massive canyon, and God is on the other side. No matter how hard you try to jump across, you will always fall short. Sin creates that gap between us and God, making it impossible for us to reach Him on our own.

God’s Solution: Jesus Christ

Despite our sin and separation from God, the gospel is called the good news because God, in His love, made a way for us to be reconciled with Him. John 3:16-17 (NLT) captures this beautifully: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

God’s love for us is so immense that He didn’t leave us in our state of separation. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bridge the gap. Jesus lived a sinless life and willingly took the punishment for our sins by dying on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, making it possible for us to be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God.

This is the heart of the gospel—God’s love manifested through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.

Our Response: Faith and Confession

The gospel requires a response from us. While Jesus has done the work of salvation, we must respond by placing our faith in Him. Romans 10:9 (NLT) says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

This verse highlights two essential aspects of our response to the gospel:

1. Confession: We must confess or declare that Jesus is Lord. This means acknowledging His authority over our lives and committing to follow Him.
2. Belief: We must believe in our hearts that Jesus rose from the dead. This belief goes beyond intellectual understanding; it’s a deep trust in the power and reality of Christ’s resurrection.

When we admit we are a sinner, believe that Christ died on the cross for our sins, and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, we are saved—not because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus has done for us. It is as simple as ABC, Admit, Believe and Confess. The gap created by sin is bridged, and we are welcomed into God’s family.

The Lifeline of Grace

Picture this: You’re swimming in the ocean, far from shore. The waves are getting stronger, and you realize you’re drowning. Just when all hope seems lost, a boat appears, and someone throws you a lifeline. You grab hold of it, and they pull you to safety.

That lifeline is like Jesus. We are drowning in our sin, unable to save ourselves, but Jesus throws us a lifeline through His death and resurrection. All we need to do is grab hold of it—respond in faith—and He will pull us to safety.

Just as you cannot save yourself by swimming harder, you cannot earn salvation through your own efforts. It is only by reaching out to Jesus in faith that you are saved.

The Good News Is for Everyone

The beauty of the gospel is that it is available to everyone, regardless of their past, background, or mistakes. John 3:16 reminds us that “everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God’s love is inclusive, and His desire is for every person to come to faith in Jesus.

No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Whether you’ve grown up in church or never heard of Jesus before today, the good news of salvation is for you.

Embrace the Good News Today

Understanding the gospel means recognizing our need for a Savior, believing in Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, and responding in faith. It’s the good news that brings hope, joy, and eternal life. If you haven’t yet embraced the gospel, I encourage you to do so today. Confess Jesus as Lord, believe in His resurrection, and experience the life-changing power of God’s love.

The gospel is more than a message—it’s an invitation to know God, be forgiven, and live in the freedom of His grace. Embrace this good news, and let it transform your life.