The Gospel

J.A. Matteson

TRUTH 1:
THERE IS A GOD

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God!’” (Psalm 14:1)
“A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil….” (Proverbs 14:16)

How do you think God might consider you, as a wise person or a fool?

TRUTH 2:
GOD IS HOLY AND JUST

As a righteous judge God weighs the intent and actions of people against the precepts of His Law. Wrong doing and wrong thinking violate His Law and are subject to the consequences set forth in the Law. If a human judge fails to enforce the Law he is an unrighteous judge and is corrupt. God is altogether righteous and perfectly enforces His Law. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before your face" (Psalm 89:14).

In any decade within the United States there are acts of murder where the murderers are never caught and brought to justice. These are unsolved crimes. If God were to turn a blind eye to those murderers, then He would a corrupt judge. But being good and just, He is rightfully angry with those who have taken the lives of others, and He will punish murderers, rapists, etc., all who violate His Law.

This is the teaching or message of the Bible—that God will "by no means clear the guilty" (Numbers 14:18). He "will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14), "God is angry with the wicked every day" (Psalm 7:11). God is holy and just; sinners are guilty before Him of violating His Law.

TRUTH 3:
THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH

"...sin is transgression of the Law" (1 John 3:4) and “…the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)

Wages refer to what a person deserves, what they are entitled to, or what they have coming to them. According to God’s Law, sinners (Law breakers) are sentenced to death. God’s Law is summarized in the Ten Commandments; Have you kept His Law—perfectly? Before we look at God’s Law consider this: “For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (James 2:10). And ignorance of the Law is no defense.

“You shall have no other gods before Me” (Have you always loved God above all else?)

“You shall not make for yourself a graven image” (Have you made a god in your mind that you're more comfortable with, a god to suit yourself, rather than the one true living God revealed in the Bible?)

“You shall not take God's name in vain” (Have you ever used God's holy Name as a cuss word?)

“Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy” (Have you always observed a weekly day of rest to worship God and reflect on His goodness?)

“Honor your father and mother” (Have you ever disrespected your parents by speaking to them in anger?)

“You shall not murder” (God considers hatred to be as murder, have you ever hated someone?)

“You shall not commit adultery” ("Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart" Matthew 5:27-28; this also includes sex before marriage known as fornication)

“You shall not steal” (Have you ever stolen anything? the value of the item is irrelevant)

“You shall not lie” (Have you lied even once? Including answering these questions?)

“You shall not covet” (Have you ever jealously desired what belongs to others?)

Some people mistakenly think the Law deals only with actions. The reality is that the Law also deals with wrong thinking and motives, thoughts that are unrighteous according to the Law. And these God will punish accordingly.

“The Lord knows the thoughts of man….” (Psalm 94:11)

God says, "For I know their works and their thoughts….” (Isaiah 66:18)

What would a person look like who kept the Law as God requires? From birth they would have loved God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, glorifying Him supremely in every thought and action. They never would have given the allegiance of their heart to anything or anyone before God, all pursuits and relationships would always have been subordinate to Him. Not once would this person have ever used—or thought without speaking it aloud—the Lord’s name in a careless way or as a cuss word. This person would have never missed one week during their life of revering the Lord’s Sabbath day of rest for contemplating His goodness and provision. Not once during their life would this person use a word or commit an action or even entertain a thought that would dishonor their parents. Not once in their life would this person have ever hated another person or been angry at them for selfish reasons. This person would have never in their life entertained a lustful thought towards another person, or engaged in any illicit sexual relationship, including any form of intimate relations before marriage or outside of marriage. Not once in their life would this person have ever taken something not belonging to them, such as a paper clip from school or work, or penny candy from the corner grocery store, or even wasting another persons time, or accepting credit and praise for another persons achievement, or taking credit for another persons ideas or thoughts, or even thinking of doing these types of things but not actually doing them. Not once during their life would this person have ever told a lie or even slightly shaded the truth or even thought of doing so. Not once would this person have ever enviously desired something or someone belonging to another, such as a material possession, a relationship, vocational position, recognition, achievements, finances, social standing, education, or any similar thoughts. Let’s be honest—this does not describe any of us! However, there is one Person who actually did perform the Law of God perfectly, the Lord Jesus Christ. He lived a sinless life, unlike the rest of us.

We have all "sinned" repeatedly, and therefore we have stored up God's wrath, which will be revealed on Judgment Day, “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:5). The natural proof that we already stand guilty of violating God’s law is death which is the just punishment for breaking God’s Law; then after death comes the final judgment from God on our sin, “but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:17); and “…man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Let this soak into your mind—because God knows our every thought, word and deed, all of these will be brought forth as evidence to convict us on Judgment Day, and we will be found guilty, convicted, and sentenced. And if we are honest with ourselves, even our conscience agrees with God that we are sinners (not perfect), having violated His Law. God will meter out to us what we deserve—Hell, the place of eternal punishment an anguish that never ends. "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known" (Luke 12:2). Jesus said, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:5). Is there any hope for us? Yes!

TRUTH 4:
GOD IS RICH IN MERCY TO ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us..." (Ephesians 2:4).

The story is told of a righteous judge who had a son. One busy day during court hearings the judge’s son was brought in before him, having been arrested by the police for a serious offense. The judge was distraught to have his only son present before him, the son whom he loved. The charges were read aloud and the individual criminal counts were stated, bail was withheld due to the serious nature of the crime, and the Law prescribed the death penalty if he should be convicted. The evidence was overwhelming and the son would soon be convicted as guilty and sentenced to die. Justice had to be upheld and so all in the courtroom listened carefully to the judge, and father of the convicted, as he presented his ruling in the case. The loving father being also a righteous judge took pity on his only son whom he loved and did something extraordinary. Upholding the rule of law the father and judge stepped down from the bench and stood before his guilty son, making a motion to the court, “My son committed a serious crime, has been found guilty, and according to the Law his sentence is death. You all know me as a righteous judge, one who has performed the Law perfectly, never violating any part of it. As judge this is my verdict: in exchange for the life of my son, I offer up my own. I will die in his place to satisfy the righteous demands of the law, and my son whom I love, he will go free, and all charges against him will be dropped.”

That story is a general picture of what Jesus Christ did for sinners when He died on the cross.

“He [the Father] made Him [Jesus Christ] who knew no sin [innocent] to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

We have all broken the Law a multitude of times, but God came to this earth in the person of Jesus Christ, and took our sentence of death upon Himself, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Jesus Christ is God in human flesh (the true meaning of Christmas); there is only one God and one way to escape an eternity in Hell and gain Heaven, and that is through God’s appointed mediator, Jesus Christ.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)—notice the word “all”, no one escapes.

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Some may consider God’s way of salvation to be too narrow, too restrictive, too exclusive. Yes, it is, and God intended it that way. Remember, He is God (holy) and we are sinners (Law breakers), and if we are to be saved from the judgment to come, we must come to Him on His terms, not our own. And His terms are by faith through His Son Jesus Christ, our sin bearer.

TRUTH 5:
ETERNAL LIFE IS IN JESUS CHRIST

"He who hears My word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24).
The death sentence for sinners can be commuted by the One—Jesus Christ—who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). The Bible says, "He who has the Son, has life, and he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life." (1 John 5:12). But we must come to Him in faith.

By receiving (believing) His sacrifice on the cross on your behalf, and repenting of your sin (turning from your sinful ways to His righteous ways), you will pass from death to life, and from hell to heaven when this short life is over. By coming to Christ the circumstances of your life may not get easier, they may get more difficult. God does not save us from His wrath to come in order to eliminate hard times now, but His promise to you is that during hard times He will be with you, and that whatever happens to you in this life He will use it for your good. To receive God’s forgiveness offered in the Person of Jesus Christ you must accept Him as both your personal Savior and Lord (Master). You must seek to follow Him in obedience for the rest of your days. Is this your hearts desire? If so, you can talk to God directly using the model prayer below. Speaking the words themselves will not save you, God saves you, and He knows the sincerity of your heart as you speak them.

"Dear God, I understand and agree that I have broken Your Law, sinning against You. Please forgive my sins. Thank You that Jesus suffered and died on the cross in my place, taking the just punishment for my sin so that I might go free. I now repent (turn away) from my known patterns of sin and place my complete trust in Jesus Christ as My Savior and Lord of my life. Help me now, Lord, to live a holy life, pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."

“…but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY’" (1 Peter 1:15-16).

“For this is the love of God [how we demonstrate love for God], that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

If you have sincerely repented and trusted in Jesus Christ, then you are now a partaker of the blessings of "the New Covenant." Here are just a few of God's exceedingly great and precious promises:

You have now passed from a sentence of death to one of life. (1 John 3:14)

God promises to supply all of your needs (not necessarily your wants) according to His riches. (Philippians 4:19)

No matter how difficult life may get, Jesus promises to be with you and will never leave you. (Matthew 28:20)

God’s Holy Spirit now lives in you and He will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13)

You now stand before God the righteous Judge as righteous because when He looks at you He sees the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ, covering your sin by His shed blood. (Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 103:12)

As you seek Jesus Christ each day through prayer and His Word (Bible), pursuing obedience, you will see your life begin to change by the power of God in you, becoming more and more like your Savior. (John 15:5)

By reading your Bible daily the things of God will become alive to you and your wisdom will increase. (2 Timothy 3:15)

When you pray according to His will, God will hear you and answer your prayers. (1 John 5:14)

The cross will be continual evidence of God's unending love for you. (Romans 5:8)

God will "keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of His glory, with exceeding joy." (Jude 1:24)

Develop the habit of a daily quiet time with God through prayer and His Word (Bible reading); seek out a Christ-centered Bible believing and teaching church; then commit yourself to that fellowship as you grow in your new life.

“The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Copyright (c) 2010 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).