2 Corinthians 5:17 declares that a new beginning awaits those who put their trust in Jesus Christ: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This implies that, in Jesus Christ, we are made new and given the ability to live a new life.
Believers in Jesus Christ are given salvation, redemption, and eternal life through their new life in him.
Sin and separation from God are the starting points of the gospel message. According to the Bible, every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Death, both physical and spiritual, is the result of sin. The Bible teaches that the punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Sin separates us from God, and we are unable to bridge the great divide that separates us from God through our own efforts. We need a Saviour.
Finding new life in Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved from the effects of sin and death. Jesus Christ died for us while we were still sinners, demonstrating God’s love for us (Romans 5:8). The only way to salvation and eternal life is through Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can mediate a relationship between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), which He fulfilled through His death and resurrection.
The doctrine of “new life in Jesus Christ” teaches that the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ was a “substitutionary sacrifice.” Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place and paid the price for our sins. He became sin on our behalf so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through His death, we are pardoned and reconciled with God. The Bible teaches that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from every trace of unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
New life in Jesus Christ teaches that Jesus’s resurrection from the dead was the ultimate victory over sin and also death. Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates His power over death and provides us with hope for eternal life. We have the certainty of eternal life because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said, “I myself am resurrection and life. “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?.” (John 11:25–26).
Likewise, the new life in Jesus Christ offers transformation. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are reborn and transformed into new beings. According to the Bible, if a person is in Jesus Christ, he or she is a new creation. The old has passed away, and the new has arrived (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit is at work in our lives to transform us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God and gives us the ability to resist sin and temptation.
A new life in Jesus Christ offers the promise of eternal life with God. The Bible says believers in Jesus Christ will live forever. Jesus Christ said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24). The assurance of a future in heaven gives us strength to endure trials and difficulties because of the hope of a future with God.
The beginning of a new life in Jesus Christ also brings with it the promise of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst. The Holy Spirit is not only an assurance of our salvation but also a source of direction and comfort for us. According to the Bible, believers in Jesus Christ are sealed with the Holy Spirit, who serves as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14). The Holy Spirit also helps us understand and apply God’s Word and proclaim the Good News.
The good news of salvation in Jesus Christ brings joy and peace. It offers us salvation, forgiveness, and transformation. The Gospel encourages us to grow in our faith and tell others about Jesus Christ.
In summary, the message of the gospel is centred around the new life that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. This message offers salvation, forgiveness, transformation, and eternal life to all who place their trust in Him, bringing hope and comfort to their lives. In response, we are called to repent of our sins, put our faith in Jesus Christ, and strive to please God. By living out the good news in our daily lives, we must share the hope of Jesus Christ with others.