The Good News: God's Love & the Gift of Salvation
Have you ever wondered what it means to be truly loved, known, and forgiven? At the heart of the Christian faith is a message of hope, love, and new life—the Good News of the gospel.
1. We Are Created by God and Loved Deeply
God, the Creator of the entire universe, made each of us with love and purpose. He knows every detail about us—our thoughts, our hopes, and our struggles—and He loves us more deeply than we can imagine. His love isn’t based on our performance or how good we are. Instead, it’s constant and unchanging.
2. Sin Separates Us from God
But here’s the challenge: sin, the wrong things we do, separates us from God. No matter how much we try, we can’t make ourselves perfect in His sight. God is holy, and our sin creates a divide we can’t cross on our own. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This separation breaks God’s heart because He longs to be close to us and have an active relationship with us.
3. Jesus Came to Save Us
But God, in His amazing love, made a way to bring us back to Him. He sent His own Son, Jesus, to earth to live a perfect, sinless life and to die in our place. Jesus willingly gave His life on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Then, He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death once and for all. John 3:16 sums it up beautifully: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
4. Salvation Is a Gift, Not Earned
Here’s the incredible part: salvation isn’t something we can earn by being “good enough.” It’s a gift that God offers to everyone. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” God’s grace is freely given; all we have to do is believe in Jesus, turn from our sins, and accept His gift of salvation.
5. How to Accept Jesus’ Gift of Salvation
It’s simple to begin a relationship with Jesus:
- Admit that you need Him and turn from your sins.
- Believe that Jesus died for you and rose again.
- Commit to follow Him as Lord of your life.
A simple prayer could be:
“Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my old ways and invite You to be the Lord of my life. Help me to trust You and follow You every day. Thank You for Your love and for saving me. Amen.”
6. A New Life in Christ
When we place our faith in Jesus, God forgives our sins, fills us with His Spirit, and makes us a part of His family. We’re never alone again—He walks with us daily and guides us. And we have the promise of eternal life with Him.
God loves you deeply, and He wants you to know Him personally. If you’ve made the decision to follow Jesus, welcome to the family! Don't keep your salvation decision to yourself, share it with someone who will support and pray for you. If you have questions or want to talk more about this, reach out—we’re here for you and we love you!!
-Danie Parker, Parker Collective Co.