“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened.

-CS Lewis, The Great Divorce

 

The gospel is the starting point and center of the Christian journey. Often I have found that in western civilization a person can grow up their whole life in a church but when asked what the gospel is they have no clear answer. I grew up in a Baptist church, and although I stopped caring for church around middle school, the first time I was asked if I knew the gospel after I was saved,  I was flabbergasted. I had the idea, but it was not clear-cut and understood.  The Gospel should be the 101 of a life following Christ because without the Gospel, why follow Jesus? I was taught the gospel in simple way that I will now share with you.

The Heavenly courtroom:

Think about a courthouse. You stand trial before a judge. You are guilty and you know it.

This is an image of the Gospel. The Bible says that once we die we will be judged, and all men have sinned and fallen short. This seems terrifying, yet God does not take pleasure in sentencing anyone to hell. He is loving, and merciful and sent his Son to take the sentence for you if you will accept it. You were sentenced to death, and that sentence had to be fulfilled so Christ died for you. It is never due to sin that any man goes to hell, it is by choice. You have the option of choosing Christ to pay the price for your sins, or to stand alone.

2 Peter 3:9 states “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God wants all men to turn back to Him, God wants you to turn to Him. He is waiting with open arms wanting to welcome you home.

The Biblical Roadmap of the Gospel:

God Loves You!!

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

• God gave his only Son for you! If you were the only person in the world He would still die for you!

Romans 5:8 – But God shows His love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

• Jesus not only died for you, He died for you knowing that you were unworthy of it. He died knowing that there would never be a way for you to make it up to him because he loves you.

All are Sinners

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

• Everyone has sinned, this is not judged by our standards of one sin outweighing another. In Gods eyes, sin is sin, one as bad as the next. Jesus had to die for everyone, no exceptions.

Romans 3:10 – As it is written: ” None is righteous, no, not one.”

Gods Destroys Sin and Death!

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Jesus is the only answer to sin and death.

John 1:12 – Yet all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God.

• If you believe in Jesus, then you can take up your inheritance as a son or daughter of God.

1 Corinthians 15:3,4 – For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

• Christ took our sin to the grave, granting us freedom in his resurrection.

Everyone is Invited!

Revelation 3:20 – Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

• God is always knocking. He is a gentleman though and will not come in and take over. When you hear the knock, open the door and let Him in.

Romans 10:13 – For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

• This is not just for certain people, this is for EVERYONE!!!! No matter how bad you may think you are, there is no-one beyond Christ’s love. David says in the Psalms that even in the pit of hell he cannot get away from the Lord. It is your choice though to ignore God or turn, repent, and be saved.