The Bad NewsWe've all done it in one way or another.
We've lied, cheated, stolen, hated, envied, and lusted. We've been drunk and on drugs. We've been sexually immoral. We've murdered. We've blasphemed God. We have sinned (Rom. 3:23). And sin has consequences. It demands justice. It brings forth death. It leads to hell (Matt. 25:46). Because God is good, He doesn't want us in hell; He wants to forgive. But because He is a good Judge, sin must be punished. Justice must be served. 
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The Good News
Because of His mercy and His love, because God is love (1 John 4:8), He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us (John 3:16; Isa. 53:5-9; Phil. 2:8).
The penalty for our sin has been paid. He has saved us (John 3:16-17). Three days after His death, Jesus rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-8). He conquered death (Rom. 6:9), so He can deliver us from its power (Heb. 2:15; Heb. 9:27-28). The gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins and that if we accept His loving, gracious sacrifice through faith, we are forgiven (Eph. 1:7), and saved from our sins (Rom. 5:6-10). On top of that, we can live with him for eternity in heaven (Jn. 14:1-6; 1 Pet. 1:3-4; Rev. 14:13). |
What Now?Salvation is a free gift (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8), but we need to reach out and take it. We must obey the gospel (Heb. 5:9; 2 Thes. 1:8).
Believe in Jesus Christ If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 3:16; Matt. 16:16), then your faith should lead you to... Repent of Your Sins Repentance is more than "I'm sorry"; it is a change of mind that turns away from sinful practices (2 Cor. 7:9-10). If you're more than sorry and want to change then... Confess Your Faith Outwardly, before others, confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10). And then... Be Baptized Be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). After putting to death sinful practices in repentance, symbolically be buried in baptism, rise to a new life (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12), and then... Live for Christ Live your new life in the name of Christ (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17), until death unites you with Him (Rev. 2:10). |