Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The punishment for our sins is death, but through faith in Jesus Christ, God has provided a way for us to receive eternal life.
This message emphasises the need for a Saviour from God. Humanity’s separation from God as a result of sin causes this need, and Jesus Christ is the only one who can redeem us.
The Bible teaches that God created humans for a perfect relationship with Him. He gave them a beautiful garden, loving relationships with each other, and most importantly, a direct relationship with God to live in harmony with Him. This perfect relationship was broken when the first humans, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God and committed sin. According to the Bible, the punishment for sin is death. As a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, their relationship with God was separated and sin entered the world.
According to the Bible, since that time, every human has been born with a sinful nature. We are all born with a tendency to sin and fall short of God’s righteousness. This simply means that no one is perfect and that we all require a Saviour.
The consequences of sin are severe. The Bible states that the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). This means that sin leads not only to physical death but also to eternal separation from God. Those who refuse to put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Saviour will be eternally separated from God (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
The good news is that God did not abandon humanity. Jesus Christ was the fulfilment of God’s plan to reconcile us to Himself. It is written in the Bible that God gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus Christ, who was both fully God and fully man and took human form, led a life that was without sin. As we are, he was tempted in every way, yet he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). This means that Jesus was the only one worthy of paying the price for our sins and reconciling us with God.
Jesus’ death was the ultimate sacrifice for sin. He gave his life willingly as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). According to the Bible, God made Jesus, who was without sin, to be our representative in order for us to become righteous in God’s sight through faith in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus took our punishment and made us righteous in His place. Jesus’ death and resurrection overcame sin and death, and now He gives us the gift of eternal life.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, one can receive this gift of salvation. If you want to be saved, you need to believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9). We must believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection to be saved. By doing this, we are able to receive God’s forgiveness and be reconciled to him. According to the Bible, there is no other name given to mankind by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). This indicates that Jesus is the only means of salvation and reconciliation with God.
When we put our faith in Jesus Christ and are saved, we take on a new way of life. The Bible says we’re new in Christ, and the old is gone (2 Corinthians 5:17). We must live a life that reflects our heart’s transformation. We must love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–39). We must also share the gospel to help others find salvation in Jesus Christ.
Finally, the need for a God-sent Saviour is at the heart of the gospel message. Sin separates us from God and has serious consequences. Jesus Christ was God’s plan to reconcile us. Jesus has provided us with the gift of salvation through His death and resurrection, and this salvation is received by placing our faith in Him. Once we have received salvation, we are required to live in a manner that reflects inner transformation. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to reconcile with God and receive eternal life.