The Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ
In the beginning, the Lord created all things in truth and righteousness. He created man, made after his own image, giving him a free will to choose right or wrong, to love God or not. Eve, the woman made as a helpmeet for Adam, the first man, chose shortly after her creation to sin against God, being tempted of Satan to eat of the tree that the Lord said not to eat from. She then gave this fruit to her husband, who ate it as well. This choice brought the curse of death upon man, and separation from a holy and righteous God of perfection. But the Lord, in his great mercy didn't leave mankind without a promise, that a Savior should come and crush Satan's head. This prophecy was then echoed over and over throughout history by the men of the Old Testament, speaking of Christ (the Messiah) that should come and set men free, who should rule and reign in righteousness forever.
References: Genesis 1-3, Genesis 49:10, Isaiah 42:1-4, Isaiah 61:1 (I'll link a blog post of more prophecies in the future)
These prophecies over hundreds and thousands of years, with thousands of manuscripts backing them up, were then fulfilled in one man, the Lord himself, Jesus the Christ, who came in the likeness of our sinful flesh around 2000 years ago. He was born of a virgin, who was with child of the Holy Spirit, being fully God, fully man, the Son of God, and Savior of all mankind. This testimony of his glory was not only confirmed by the prophets who spake before his coming, but was affirmed by the Father as well, who spoke from heaven, and declared him to be his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased. Throughout his time upon earth, he spake what he heard of the Father to us, giving us commands that we should walk in him, the Word made flesh, the Way to eternal life, the gift of God given to mankind for salvation. Because his own people received him not, they crucified him according to the prophecies that went before. He shed his blood on a cruel Roman stake as the Lamb of God, given to the Father as an atonement for the sin of mankind. He then went into the grave, and after three days and three nights, rose from the dead, appearing to more than 500 brethren at once. He ascended to heaven, and is now sitting at the right hand of God, having put all things, even death, under his feet.
References: Matthew 1, Matthew 3:17, John 1:11, John 1:29, John 4:10, John 15:15, Acts 7:55, Romans 5:11, 1 Corinthians 15:6, Hebrews 2:8-10, Hebrews 9:22
This glorious Savior, who pierced the darkness with the light of truth, defeating the power of death and the grave, giving men hope of eternal life, now calls all men to repent and believe that he is the promised Christ. If a man hears the truth, repents and submits his whole self to the Lord, God promises to send his Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and convict the man into all of the truth in his Word. If the man obeys, the result is a total conforming to the word of God, becoming holy unto the Lord as Jesus was, and living for him with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength. While the Lord warned extensively of the dangers in this world, if a man endures in this consistent holiness unto the Lord, abiding in the Word who is Jesus Christ, he will be saved, covered with the life saving blood of the Lamb of God. But if a man turns away, forsaking the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the wrath of God abides on him.
References: Mark 1:15, Mark 13:13, Acts 2:38, Romans 8:29, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 3:3, Revelation 3:20
The Path to Eternal Life
The five-point path laid out in the word of God.
Repentance
The first step is repentance, metanoeō in Greek, which means a "change of mind" or to "think differently." After hearing the word of God, hearing of the Savior, and hearing what you must do, you must come to the point of changing your mind, and believing the word of him whom God has sent, Jesus Christ.
References: Mark 1:15, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30-31, Acts 20:21
Faith
Faith, pisteuō in Greek, means "to entrust" or "to commit to." When you change your mind (repent), you then must entrust your whole self to the Lord (faith), being ready and willing to conform your whole life to him as the only Way to eternal life.
References: Mark 11:22, John 11:25, John 12:44-46, John 17:20-21, Hebrews 11:6
Born from Above
After you change your mind (repent), entrusting your whole self to Jesus Christ (faith), then the Lord will see a willing vessel and promises to send his Holy Spirit. The term used in the KJV is "born again" but a more direct translation in the Greek is:
born > gennaō > "born or procreate"
again > anōthen > "anew, from the top, from above."
The Holy Spirit is given at God's will, but is promised after a total commitment of self to the Lord and his word.
References: Luke 11:13, John 1:12-13, John 3, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Timothy 1:14
Obedience unto Holiness
The result of this new spiritual birth (being born from above) is a desire to live only for the Lord, his word, his ways. You begin to test all things to God's word, you begin to purge out that which is outside of it. This is called sanctification, as the Lord's Spirit leads you to understand how to walk in the Word, you'll conform more and more to Christ as you continue to obey, perfecting holiness (which means being set apart) in the fear of God.
References: Romans 8:29, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Peter 1:13-25, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 12:14
Endurance
Finally, you must endure, hupomenō in Greek, meaning "to stay under, remain," in the truth of God's word unto eternal life. No doubt, living in Satan's world, surrounded by people who don't want the truth, you'll face much tribulation. But, take comfort in this, the Lord himself faced similar trials while he was here. He is ready and willing to help you overcome this world as he himself did.
References: Matthew 10:22, 1 Corinthians 15:2, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, Hebrews 10:26-27, Revelation 2:5
Final Exhortation
Neighbor, the Lord is calling you to himself. He sent his Son into the world to save men from the wrath of God which is coming upon all those who don't know God, and don't obey this Gospel. Will you be one of the many Jesus talked about, headed for eternal destruction, choosing their own way, living how they want, separated from God for eternity? Or will you seek the Lord, and seek the truth, while he gives you time? I'm a witness and a testimony that God will reveal himself in his word if you seek him with your whole heart, but you must make that choice for yourself. Don't hesitate, put everything on hold, go deep in the word, break yourself down before him, and be made new with the hope of eternal life to come. May God get the glory for such an incredible salvation plan he has wrought. Amen and amen.
For more Gospel resources, teachings, and preachings, from saints striving in biblical truth: https://www.dontperish.com/the-gospel.html