The Gospel Message Explained
The Christian message is the "good news" (gospel) about Jesus Christ and what He has done for humanity. We believe that God created everyone out of love, but humanity turned away from God through sin - wrong actions and attitudes that separate people from God and turn them into His enemies. Being separated from God is more than just a broken relationship with Him while living here on earth. It means that when our life is over, we will be in a conscious state of never-ending separation from God's love, kindness and goodness. This is known as Hell, the place where all God's enemies will pay the price for their rebellion against God and refusal to ask for his forgiveness.
Despite this separation, God loves each person deeply and wants a relationship with them. To bridge the gap, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. Jesus lived a perfect life, taught about God's love, and then willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for humanity's sins. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, showing His victory over sin and death.
Through Jesus, anyone can be forgiven and receive eternal life - a restored relationship with God that starts now and lasts forever.
How Can I Become a Friend of God?
- Recognise your need for God's forgiveness: Understand that everyone has sinned and needs forgiveness. The Bible says, 'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'. (Romans 3v23)
- Believe in Jesus Christ: Trust that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins, and that He rose again. The Bible tells us, 'If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.' (Romans 10v9)
- Turn away from sin: Be willing to change direction in life, turning away from actions and attitudes that dishonour God (this is called repentance). The Bible instructs us to, 'Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord'. (Acts 3v19)
- Invite Jesus to play the key role in your life: Pray and sincerely ask Jesus to forgive you, guide you, and be the leader (Lord) of your life. Jesus said, 'If you love me, keep my commands.' (John 14v15)
- Follow Jesus daily: Read the Bible, pray, connect with other believers, and seek to live according to God's ways. Jesus has promised, 'If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit'. (John 15:5)
If you want to become a follower of Jesus, you can pray a simple prayer, such as:
"God, I know I have done wrong and need Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose again. Please forgive me, come into my life, and help me follow You. Thank you for Your love. Amen."
Simply reciting a prayer doesn't make you a Christian; genuinely meaning it does. Becoming a Christian is about building a relationship with Jesus Christ, not just obeying a set of rules. Anyone who sincerely trusts in Jesus and follows Him is welcomed into God's family forever. If you have just prayed to ask for God's forgiveness and to start your new life with Jesus, 'Congratulations!' You are now a follower of Jesus, a Christian. Please contact us to let us know so that we can pray for you and help you to get the most out of your new life with Jesus.