THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
     What is the Gospel?

The Gospel is the Good News from God about new life in Christ. While the Good News of the Gospel should be understood as including the entire blessing God offers to the world through His Son, Jesus Christ, the tipping point of faith in Christ is where it all begins for individuals.

I hope you will consider this as a conversation where you can explore faith and begin to experience some community with those of us who value our faith in Christ. My specific prayer for you is that you will see this online dialogue as a safe place for people with questions about faith as well as those who want to learn about the Bible and Christianity. This page of theTippingPoints.com is for those who are curious and investigating Christianity; some of you are wondering how to start a relationship with God, others are wondering if you still have a relationship with God or you are thinking about reconnecting with God after being away from church for a while.

We consider it a privilege to walk with you as you consider the Gospel of Christ in your spiritual journey. Christ’s Gospel is His answer to life’s most important question, “What must I do to have eternal life?” Our walk through His answer requires four steps toward God that will forever tip your life toward heaven, as you become a part of God’s family.

The first step toward heaven is becoming aware of God’s love for you. Jesus Himself said this about God in the most famous verse of the Bible, John 3:16: “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.” Since you are a part of that world, God loves you and wants to give you eternal life. That’s your first step—remember God loves you.

But there is a problem that takes you to the next step…

The second step toward heaven is admitting something you already know about yourself—you need help because you have failed. The Bible calls this failure sin. Sin separates us from God. The word sin in the Bible means to miss the mark. Romans 3:23 says that we have all missed the mark: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We have done things we knew were wrong, things that surely displeased God. We have a sin problem that forms a barrier between us and God. The Bible says plainly that the penalty for sin is death—eternal separation from God in a place called hell. All of us as sinners have earned this death sentence, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). That’s the second step—recognize your need.

You cannot escape this death sentence on your own. Fortunately there is another step to show you the way of escape God has provided…

The third step toward heaven is appreciating God’s provision for your sin. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, paid the full penalty for sin on the Cross. Remember, God loves you. Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” His death satisfied the penalty for sin—He took your place. He died for your sin and mine. His death made full payment for sin; His resurrection guarantees eternal life. In John 11:25 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live." That’s the third step—realize Christ has met this need.

The fourth step is the most important step because it makes Christ death personal. Only you can accept Christ’s payment for sin by believing in Him. This is why the fourth step is a step of faith…

God asks you to trust in Christ alone as your only way to heaven. In one of the simplest verses of the Bible, Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, He who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). The word believe means to trust in, rely on, or depend on. The moment you believe in Him you have eternal life. That’s all God requires for you to have eternal life. That’s the fourth step—rely on Christ for salvation.

This leaves one question, the most important question you will ever answer, the question that will tip your life toward heaven or hell, joy or misery, life or death, purpose or futility...

Do You Believe?

Have you relied on Christ for salvation, or have you been trying to get to heaven by your own ability?

If you have not trusted Christ to get you to heaven, why not do it now?

Providing you eternal life cost God everything! He punished His Son in your place, but receiving eternal life costs you nothing. Because of what Christ did on the Cross, God now offers you this free gift if you will simply trust His Son to save you.

You might like to express your faith to God like this:
Dear God, I come to You now. I know I am a sinner. Nothing I will ever do can get me to heaven. But I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins. Right now, I put my trust in Him alone as my only way to heaven. Thank You for the free gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let’s Review...

Remember God loves you—John 3:16

Recognize your need—Romans 3:23; 6:23

Realize Christ has met this need—Romans 5:8

Rely on Christ for salvation—John 6:47

I can remember when I took Jesus at His word and received new life decades ago. My question was, “What happens now?”

The answer to that question will never change. It’s a wonderful answer based on a promise God makes to everyone who believes in His Son. If you have trusted Christ, you have eternal life. God guarantees it in His Word: 

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God (1John 5:11-13).

If this conversation has helped you believe in Christ or raised new questions in your mind about God, you need to know that I would love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to email us today.

contact Loy Wiggers
Pastor, La Pine Community Church, La Pine, OR