The Gospel in a Nutshell

We are all guilty of wrongdoing and fall short of the standard of perfection God set for us.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

According to the law of God, who created us and gets to make the rules, we deserve to die.

For the wages of sin is death…

Romans 6:23a

But God loves us so much that He sent His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sin.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Jesus gave His life to pay our way into good graces with God. It is a free gift for us to accept; we cannot earn it on our own by any other means.

…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23b

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Once we acknowledge that we need saving, we simply need to repent and accept Jesus as our Savior. Then we are promised eternal life.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

John 14:6

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would help us to understand His Word, the Bible.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26

A prayer to accept Jesus might go something like this: “Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I realize your law says I deserve death for what I’ve done. I ask that you please forgive me. I believe you died to pay my debt and I accept your free gift of eternal life. Please send your Holy Spirit to teach me what it means to live for you. Thank you for saving me. ~Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer today for the first time, the Bible says Heaven is throwing a party!

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

Luke 15:8

I would love to rejoice with you! Please tell me about your decision in the comments below!!

A good place to begin reading in the Bible is the book of John. If you’d like assistance finding a good church near you, let me know where you are, and I’d love to try to help!