What Is The Gospel?

God is in charge - you are not.
God is God - you are not.
God makes rules - you do not.

It seems so basic but we forget that "It's not about me." Rather it's all about God.

Yes. You are very special to God:
        You are the "apple of His eye." ^{Zechariah 2:8}.

It's true that God loves you.
          In fact He loves you so much that He allowed Jesus to die so that you can be free^Romans
5:8.

You are special but what did John the Baptist, who came as a forerunner to Jesus, call us : "A brood of vipers!"
That doesn’t seem very nice but He wasn't sent to be nice...
He was sent to prepare people for Salvation by getting them to understand their sinful state - most of us think we’re good enough (or not that bad).

Since you have sinned (even if it was only once in your entire life!), you must be separated from God for all eternity!
You can’t enter Heaven with sin. No. That’s the rule that the ruler of the all has created (God).

What will clear the path to allow you entry into God's presence (heaven)?
The removal of sin.

How can this be done?
God allowed a perfect and sinless sacrifice to take the place of your sin. No. It doesn't seem fair that someone else has paid for your sin but God knew it was impossible for you to do. So, Jesus was the only person that could be the atoning sacrifice that you need. He loves you and laid down his life for you.

How much does it cost?
More than you can ever pay! It cost the crucifixion of Jesus. Since you couldn't afford it, God made it easy - it's free! It's a gift!

What's the catch?
Hopefully, you realize that you (like everyone else that has ever lived) are a sinner. You repent - you want to turn away from sin and make things right with God. Do you believe that Jesus is God? Do you believe that He alone can remove your sin? (Yes. Is the right answer to both questions.) Okay. Now receive the free gift that God has offered - Salvation through Jesus Christ only - nothing else added!

Is there another way?
No. If you don't receive this free gift, try to pay for it, try to be good enough, or try to do a bunch of good things, you've insulted God and He won't let you in heaven. But He gives us many many chances and will let us in heaven if repent and accept His free gift. It's hard to believe but millions and millions won't.

Is this the only Gospel?
There are false gospels that Jesus warned about but the Bible gives us the absolute source to focus in on the one and only True Gospel. The key is to look for what has been added as a requirement of Salvation. For example, if you are taught that you must speak in tongues as a requirement to be Saved, or fulfill the Sacraments to be Saved, go to a particular church to be Saved, etc. these are false gospels. The apostle Paul writes, "if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." ^{Galatians 1:
9}

Kingdom of servants?
Heaven is a place where others come first (remember it’s not about you). It’s a kingdom of loving servants where Jesus is the greatest servant all:
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."^{Matthew 10:45}
"…who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great." ^Luke
9:48

Sinful Nature	"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23) - (spiritual death).
Repentance	Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Math 4:17
Jesus Is God	" I and the Father are one." John 10:30
He Asked	"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved, for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be Saved." (Rom. 10:9-10, 13).
Free Gift - Not Earned	"And if (salvation is) by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace." Rom 11:6 NIV "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense (Adam) many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many." Rom 5:15
Assurance	Jesus said, "I assure you.. today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:40-43 NLT. "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:28