We live in a world where ‘good news’ usually means your phone finally connected to Wi-Fi. But the Gospel is the original good news—and it’s far more life-changing than a strong signal, or have you ever tried assembling furniture without the manual, you know how badly things can go. Thankfully, God didn’t leave us to figure out life on our own—He gave us a rescue plan, and it’s called the Gospel.
The Gospel Message - “If a man dies, will he live again?”
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This question, posed by Job in the oldest book of the Bible (Job 14:14), remains one of the most profound and essential inquiries of human existence.
Death is an appointment none of us will miss (Hebrews 9:27). Deep within, we sense that physical death is not the end. Scripture affirms this intuition: God has set eternity in the human heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Even those who claim disbelief in God often wrestle with this truth in quiet moments. The atheist may deny God publicly, but in solitude, when the noise fades and reflection begins, the awareness of a Creator often stirs. As Romans 1:18 says, the truth is known—but suppressed in unrighteousness.
So, what determines our eternal destination when we meet death? Many believe that Heaven is granted to those whose good deeds outweigh their bad. We often measure our morality by comparing ourselves to others—especially those whose actions are widely condemned. Compared to figures like Hitler, Stalin, or Charles Manson, we may feel morally superior. But this comparison is misleading.
There is sobering news: our standard is not other people—it is God’s holiness. And by that measure, none of us are truly “good.”
> >>God’s Standard of Goodness
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God does not measure our goodness by comparing us to others. His standard is Himself—perfect, holy, and just. And when measured against that standard, none of us is good. We have all broken His moral laws. We’ve lied—making us liars. Most of us have stolen—making us thieves. We’ve misused His name—making us blasphemers. We’ve harboured lust—making us adulterers at heart (Matthew 5:28). Scripture is clear: we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), rebels (Isaiah 1:28), alienated from God (Colossians 1:21), and even His enemies (Romans 5:10).
Just as breaking earthly laws brings consequences, so does breaking God’s laws. But while earthly penalties are temporary, the penalty for sin against an eternal God is eternal.
Many say, “But God is good! Surely a good God wouldn’t send anyone to Hell.” Yet it is precisely because God is good that He must punish sin. His goodness guarantees justice. If He overlooked sin, He would cease to be good (Mark 10:18).
Imagine a man caught on camera committing murder. The evidence is overwhelming—eyewitnesses, fingerprints, the weapon. In court, he’s found guilty. But then he says to the judge, “You’re a good judge, so you should let me go. I’ve only done this once.” If the judge agreed and released him, would we call that justice? No—we’d call it corruption. A good judge must uphold the law. Likewise, God, the ultimate Judge, must punish sin. His goodness doesn’t excuse sin—it ensures it is dealt with.
>>>The Love of God
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But what about God’s love? Scripture affirms that God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). So how can a loving God allow people to go to Hell?
The question assumes passivity on our part, as if people are sent to Hell against their will. In reality, those who end up there do so after a lifetime of rejecting God. His love is not indulgent—it is holy and just.
Romans 5:8 reveals the depth of God’s love: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
>>>The Good News: God Has Made a Way
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God, in His infinite grace, has made a way for us to escape His righteous wrath. Though we were once His enemies (Romans 5:10), He has provided the only path to reconciliation—through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, came to earth as the God-man. He rebuked false teachings, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, performed miracles, and preached the Gospel. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and willingly laid down His life on the cross—not as a victim, but as a willing sacrifice (John 10:18).
On the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of God’s wrath for the sins of His people. He became the propitiation—the appeasement—for our sins (1 John 4:10). Our sins were imputed to Him, and in exchange, His righteousness is imputed to us (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 8:3; Isaiah 53:10).
Jesus died, was buried, and rose bodily from the dead three days later (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20), proving He is who He claimed to be—God in human flesh.
>>>The Question: How Can Guilty Sinners Be Made Righteous?
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We are spiritually dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1-3), and we have no righteousness of our own (Romans 3:10-12). We need the righteousness of Another—Jesus Christ.
God, by His grace, grants faith and repentance (John 16:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 2:24-26). Salvation is not earned by good works but received through faith in Christ alone.
>>>Repent and Believe
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To repent is not merely to turn from certain behaviours. The Greek word metanoia means a change of mind—a transformation of heart and will. True repentance is granted by God (Acts 5:30-31; 11:17) and results in a changed life, new desires, and spiritual fruit (Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20).
Without repentance, there is no salvation (Luke 13:3). Examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5):
• Am I trusting in Christ alone?
• Has my life changed?
• Do I love what God loves and hate what He hates?
• Do I hunger for His Word?
• Do I love fellow believers?
• Do I stand for Christ, even under pressure?
• Is there a growing pattern of holiness?
• Do I grieve over my sin?
>>>Worldly vs. Godly Sorrow
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There are two kinds of sorrow over sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10):
• Worldly sorrow fears consequences and exposure. It is self-centered and leads to death.
• Godly sorrow grieves because sin offends God. It leads to repentance and salvation.
God has been merciful, yet we have sinned against Him. Still, He demonstrates His love by sending Christ to die for us (Romans 5:8). The cross reveals both God’s hatred of sin and His love for sinners. How awesome is this!
>>>A Call to Respond
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Christians do sin—but they do not delight in it. A true believer grieves over sin and longs for holiness. If you desire salvation from Hell but not from sin, you misunderstand the Gospel. Jesus saves us from both.
If you’re unsure of your eternal destiny, come honestly before God. Confess your sin, your need for mercy, and trust in Jesus Christ. Repent and believe. If you come to Him in godly sorrow and genuine faith, He will save you (John 5:24).
Your sins will be forgiven, removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), and remembered no more (Hebrews 8:12).
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” – John 6:37
What a wondrous promise. Come to Christ. He will receive you. And your new life will bear fruit to His glory.
> >>I’ve Trusted Christ—What Comes Next?
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If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, praise God! This is the most important decision you will ever make. Now begins a lifelong journey of growing in Him—and one of the first steps is to find a biblically sound church.
A healthy church is essential. It’s where you’ll hear the Word of God faithfully preached by qualified men, be spiritually nourished, encouraged, and held accountable. It’s where you’ll find opportunities to serve and enjoy fellowship with other believers who share your love for Christ. If you need help finding such a church, I will share something in the future and What is a Biblical Church.
Many assume that becoming a Christian will make life easier. In truth, it will make your life better—but not necessarily in the way the world defines “better.” Life in Christ is filled with joy, grace, and purpose, but it also comes with challenges. Scripture is clear: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). This is not a possibility—it’s a promise. And sometimes, opposition may even come from your own family (Matthew 10:35–36).
But take heart—you are not alone. You are equipped by the indwelling Holy Spirit to face trials with grace and to honour your King (Philippians 1:29). He will stir in you a desire to know and obey God’s Word. As you grow, you’ll experience the richness of Christian fellowship (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25; Colossians 3:16), and you’ll come to see that your true family in Christ spans the globe (Matthew 12:46–50).
To help you grow, I recommend getting a good study Bible—such as the John MacArthur Study Bible in the ESV, LSB or NASB translation.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Amen
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>>>>Here is a summary Gospel Message outline with clear explanations and ESV scripture references, designed to help non-believers understand each point:
1. The Holiness of God
Explanation:
God is not just loving—He is also holy, which means He is morally perfect, pure, and set apart from all sin. His holiness is the standard by which everything is measured. Because He is holy, He cannot ignore sin or pretend it doesn’t matter.
Scripture:
• 1 Samuel 2:2 – “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”
• Isaiah 6:3 – “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
2. The Sinfulness of Man
Explanation:
Every human being has sinned. Sin is not just doing bad things—it’s a condition of the heart that rebels against God. We lie, lust, hate, and covet, and even our best efforts fall short of God’s perfect standard.
Scripture:
• Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
• Romans 3:10 – “None is righteous, no, not one.”
3. The Consequences of Sin
Explanation:
Because God is just, He must punish sin. The penalty is death—not just physical death, but eternal separation from God in hell. This is not harsh; it’s justice. We are guilty before a holy God.
Scripture:
• Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is etern…
4. The Good News of Jesus Christ
• Jesus lived a sinless life and died on the cross as a substitute for sinners.
• He bore the wrath of God that we deserve and rose from the dead, proving His power over sin and death.
Scripture References:
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
• Romans 5:8 – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
5. Repentance and Faith
• Salvation is not earned by good works or religious rituals.
• One must repent (turn from sin) and place faith in Christ alone for salvation.
Scripture References:
• Mark 1:15 – “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
• Acts 3:19 – “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
6. Examine Yourself
• True conversion results in a transformed life and growing holiness.
• Believers are called to examine their faith to ensure it is genuine.
Scripture Reference:
• 2 Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”
7. Find a Sound Church
• Believers should join a church that teaches sound doctrine, encourages spiritual growth, and promotes biblical accountability.
Scripture Reference:
• Hebrews 10:25 – “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
