At earth's beginning, God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:27). Though it is hard for us to imagine, the world of Adam and Eve was perfect at the beginning. It was perfect in life, peace, and love with intimate relationship with God. They lived without feeling shame or guilt. The two were put in charge of caring for the Garden of Eden and had the freedom to do as they pleased. God gave them one command that was not to be broken for God knew if they broke it, they would experience death for the first time (Genesis 2:16-17).
The Bad News
One day in the garden, Adam and Eve were tempted by the devil to break God's command. Turning their back on life, peace, love, and union with God, they chose separation from God, breaking the one command (sin) God gave them. Immediately, the two felt shame, guilt, and emptiness for the first time. God, who is perfectly just in His nature, had to discipline the breaking of His command so He put a separation between man and Himself. Without God, the Giver of life, man experienced distance from God, death, and suffering for the first time. Since that day, the sin of Adam and Eve has ruled over humanity. Each person born from that time forward is born into death and separation from God.
This is where we join the narrative. The truth is that every person at one time or another has or is currently living in disobedience to God and fail to love Him perfectly (Romans 3:23). The punishment for breaking God's commands remains the same for us as it was for Adam and Eve, eternal separation and death (Romans 6:23). In order for us to have life with God again, the sin must be either removed or paid for. In the Old Testament, God made it clear that sin can only be removed through the sacrifice of an innocent life (Hebrews 9:22). Without an innocent life willing to sacrifice himself, we all are destined for an eternal death.
The Good News
The 'Good News', or the Gospel, explains that there is a way to have life with God again. Jesus, who is fully God (Colossians 1:15) came in love as a sacrifice to pay for all sin. Jesus lived on this Earth as a man (Philippians 2:7-8) and was without sin, and then offered his body on a cross for the sake of the world. When Christ died, he served as a substitute by paying the sin penalty for us. Three days after Jesus died, God brought him to life again, showing God's power and authority over all things including Satan, sin and death. With sin removed, believers in Christ are restored to life with God forever (John 3:16). This means that the Gospel is a message of salvation. We once were dead in our sin, but now we have been made alive (Ephesians 2:5). We once were considered slaves to sin, but God has freed us and adopted us as His own children. (Romans 8:15). We once were separated, but now in Christ we will never be separated again (Romans 8:38). This is the Good News of the Gospel, offering eternal life with God to all who would believe.
How Can I Be Saved?
God's plan to save is not meant to be complicated. It should be simple for everyone to understand. A way salvation can be understood is by looking at the ABC's of salvation. Here are the steps to salvation, pray the following:
- Admit you are a sinner. Admitting that we have separated ourselves from God because of our sin is the first step in turning toward God. Before we can accept the good news, we must accept the bad news.
- Believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Jesus is the way that the gap between God and us is closed. When we believe in Him, we are trusting in His full payment for our sins and His resurrection that brings us back to life.
- Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and that He came and died on the cross for your sins.Jesus is Savior in saving you from your sins, and Lord as you surrender your life and place your allegiance to Him alone.
If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and want to tell somebody, call a K-LOVE pastor! We would be excited to celebrate with you and answer any questions you may have about your new relationship with Jesus Christ! Call 1-800-525-5683 (LOVE).
