Living in what is referred to as a "Christian" nation, I am constantly amazed as to what people know -- or rather don't know -- about the Bible, and more specifically about the gospel. Many people seem to know that the gospel has something to do with Jesus, God and heaven, but beyond that they get confused rather quickly.
You might ask, "Aren't people right? Isn't the gospel about Jesus, God and heaven?"
Well, yes it is, but does that tell you everything? In fact, does that really tell you anything?
Let me ask you a question. What is a Boeing 737 and what does it have to do with? You would likely say it is an airplane. If pushed, you might say it is a jet airplane. If pushed further, you would likely say it is a good size airplane that carries hundreds of passengers. If I asked you its purpose you would likely say they are built primarily to carry passengers. Even if I prodded you a lot, and got much more information from you, what good would it do you? Even if your information was correct, how would that affect your ability to travel?
To be honest, most people know very little about 737s, and even with what they know, it doesn't help them an inch in their travels if they don't get on one. Even those who want to get on one can go stand at a bus stop all day long and never see a 737 taxi up to the bus stop so they can get on board. You see, even to think you want to board a 737 doesn't help if you don't go about it properly.
It is the same with the gospel. To know there is "a gospel" doesn't help you if you go no further than that. Knowing that the gospel involves in some way Jesus, God and heaven is of no real value if you don't go beyond that. Even knowing that the gospel provides a way for you to enter into heaven is of no help to you in the end if you don't go beyond that knowledge.
To be honest, the gospel is very simple. The gospel is all about forgiveness. You and I need God's forgiveness for the way we are and live. And God desires to forgive you. Ephesians 1:7 says, "In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace..."
God so wants us to be forgiven of sin that He sent His Son to provide that forgiveness through His blood.
So of course God makes that forgiveness very available. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. God doesn't make this available to a select few, but to whomever believes. God does not limit His available invitation, and neither should we.
But although God's forgiveness is available to anyone willing to believe in Jesus, it is not automatic. This is important to understand because many teach that a loving God will make certain everyone gets into heaven, no matter what. But in Matthew 7:21, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' (23) Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
And what is the will of God? For you to believe in the One He has sent (John 6:29). Take note that Jesus was talking about religious people in that passage.
I think the question that comes up for many is why salvation isn't automatic, and the answer is quite simple. It is impossible for God to allow sin and sinful people into heaven. This is because of God's nature and man's nature. God is holy and perfect and pure. Matthew 5:48 says that God is perfect. In addition, Habakkuk 1:13 tells us that God is too pure to look upon sin. Also, Psalm 5:4 tells us that the wicked cannot dwell with God.
As much as we don't like to admit it, we are all sinful and we are all wicked. Romans 3:23 underscores that for every person ever born, other than Jesus, who alone is without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
If God cannot allow sinful people into His presence, and if everyone is sinful, then how can anyone enter into the kingdom of heaven? That is a very good question, and God answers it. You must be changed. Jeremiah 13:23 points to this need when he indicates that our very nature must be changed. We can change our behavior and work on our attitude, but we can do nothing at all about our nature. It is fallen and sinful, and it will remain so if left up to us. That is why Jesus said in John 3:4 that we must be born again, and that is not something we can do for ourselves.
In order for that to happen the Bible says we must repent (Luke 13:3). The word repent in the Greek has two main meanings: to literally "change your mind," and to change direction. In regards to the things Jesus is talking about, He means that we must cease to be in control of our lives. We must agree with God that we are sinners, and that the only way we can be saved and receive the gift of eternal life, is to believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, according to the scriptures."
According to this, and reconsidering John 6:29, there is nothing we can do to merit or earn eternal life. In fact in Galatians 2:21 and 3:21 clearly state there is no law, no principle in the universe that we can do for ourselves to earn the righteousness needed to enter God's presence. They go on further to state that if we could earn eternal life then Jesus died for nothing. But, He didn't die for nothing, because apart from the blood Jesus spilled on the cross there can be no forgiveness of sin, nor peace with God. (Colossians 1:20)
That is why God tells us the only way to receive the gift of eternal life in Romans 10:9, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
God assures you in verse 13 that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. That means you too. For although the wages of sin is death, the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).
How can you receive this gift of eternal life? I use an acronym to explain it. FAITH -- Forsaking All I Trust Him. You no longer trust in your efforts to be good enough. You no longer trust in a religious system. You trust in Jesus alone. He paid the price for all your sin (1 John 2:2), and if you come to Him in faith, He will not turn you away (John 6:37; Matthew 11:28).
I urge you now, stop trying to do the best you can and hope God will accept you. Trust Jesus by faith today. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and come into your life as Lord and Savior forever. That's why He came here. That's why He died. That's why He rose from the dead. And that is what the gospel of Jesus is all about.
Choose life; choose Christ.
Jon McCartney is pastor of the First Baptist Church located at 580 S. Main St. in Tooele.