The Gospel: How Can I Be Made Right with God?

The Good News of Jesus Christ

By Way of the Word | Love Jesus

Big Idea: God saves sinners from His righteous judgment and brings them into eternal fellowship with Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, granting forgiveness and new life to all who repent and believe.

Introduction: The Most Important Question

Few questions are more important than this: How can a sinful person be made right with a holy God?

We spend much of our lives concerned with things that matter—our families, health, careers, relationships, and futures. Yet Scripture confronts us with a question of eternal significance: Where do we stand before the God who created us?

The Bible's answer begins with a troubling reality. We have sinned against God, and we cannot make ourselves righteous before Him.

But the Bible also announces extraordinary good news.

God has provided a Savior.

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, entered our world, lived without sin, died for sinners, and rose bodily from the dead. Through Him, God offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and everlasting life.

This is the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ.

To understand why it is such good news, we must first understand who God is, what has gone wrong, and what Christ has accomplished.

1. God Is Holy, and We Are Accountable to Him

The gospel begins with God.

The Bible opens by declaring that God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Everything exists because of Him and ultimately for His glory (Romans 11:36).

Human beings are not accidents of an impersonal universe. God created us in His image (Genesis 1:26–27), giving human life extraordinary dignity and purpose.

We were created to know Him, worship Him, love Him, and live in obedience to Him.

But the God who created us is perfectly holy.

Isaiah 6:3 describes heavenly beings declaring God's holiness. His holiness means He is utterly pure, morally perfect, and completely set apart from evil.

ISAIAH 6:3 | NASB95

And one called out to another and said,

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”

God is also righteous and just. He always does what is right. He never acts wickedly, judges unfairly, or compromises His character.

Because He is our Creator, we are accountable to Him.

We do not determine what is right and wrong independently of God. His character and revealed will establish the standard.

And that creates a serious problem for every human being.

God is perfectly holy. We are not.

2. Our Sin Brings Guilt, Condemnation, and Eternal Judgment

Scripture declares that every human being has sinned.

Romans 3:23 (NASB95):

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Sin is more than making mistakes or failing to live up to our potential.

Sin is rebellion against God.

We sin when we violate His commands, reject His authority, pursue what He forbids, or fail to love and honor Him as we should.

Jesus teaches that sin reaches beyond outward behavior into the desires and intentions of the heart (Matthew 5:21–28).

We cannot excuse ourselves by comparing our conduct with someone else's.

God's standard is His own righteousness.

And no amount of religious activity, charitable giving, moral effort, or personal improvement can erase our guilt before Him.

God's Wrath Is Righteous

The Bible teaches that God's wrath rests upon those who remain in rebellion against Him (John 3:36).

God's wrath is not uncontrolled anger or an emotional outburst.

It is His holy, settled, and righteous opposition to sin.

Because God is just, He must judge evil.

Romans 6:23 declares that the wages of sin is death.

ROMANS 6:23 | NASB95

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Scripture also teaches that physical death is not the end of humanity's accountability.

Hebrews 9:27 speaks of judgment following death.

Revelation 20:11–15 describes the final judgment before God's great white throne.

Those whose names are not found in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire.

Jesus Himself speaks of eternal punishment in Matthew 25:46.

MATTHEW 25:46 | NASB95

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

These truths are sobering.

We should neither sensationalize them nor minimize them.

Apart from Jesus Christ, sinners stand guilty before God and face His righteous and eternal judgment.

But this is not where the biblical message ends.

The God who is holy and just is also merciful and gracious.

And He has provided the only Savior.

3. Jesus Christ Is the Only Savior

Christianity does not teach that humanity can climb its way back to God through religious effort.

It announces that God has acted to save sinners through His Son.

Jesus Christ is not merely a wise teacher, moral example, or religious leader.

He is the eternal Son of God.

John 1:1 identifies the Word as existing in the beginning, being with God, and being God.

John 1:14 declares that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

JOHN 1:14 | NASB95

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is fully God and fully human.

He did not cease to be divine when He became human. Nor was His humanity an illusion.

He entered our world as a real man, experiencing hunger, weariness, suffering, and temptation—yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Where Adam disobeyed, Christ obeyed.

Where we have sinned, Christ remained righteous.

His perfect obedience matters because sinners need more than forgiveness for past wrongdoing.

We need a righteousness we do not possess.

Jesus alone is qualified to reconcile us to God.

First Timothy 2:5 identifies Him as the one mediator between God and humanity.

And Jesus declares in John 14:6 that no one comes to the Father except through Him.

JOHN 14:6 | NASB95

Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

There is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ.

That claim is not rooted in Christian superiority over other people.

It rests upon the unique identity and saving work of Christ.

No other person has lived in perfect righteousness, borne the sins of His people, and conquered death through bodily resurrection.

4. Christ Died for Our Sins and Rose Again

Here we reach the heart of the gospel.

Jesus did not come merely to demonstrate God's love, teach moral principles, or inspire religious devotion.

He came to save sinners.

Christ Died as Our Substitute

The Bible teaches that Jesus willingly gave His life for sinners.

Isaiah 53:5–6 describes the suffering Servant bearing the consequences of the sins of others.

Jesus Himself explains that He came to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

At the cross, the sinless Savior suffered in the place of sinners.

Second Corinthians 5:21 teaches that God made the One who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 | NASB95

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

This does not mean Jesus became morally sinful.

He remained perfectly righteous.

Rather, He bore the judicial consequences of sin as our substitute.

God did not overlook sin at the cross.

He judged it.

Romans 3:21–26 explains that God publicly displayed Christ as a propitiation through His blood, demonstrating His righteousness.

ROMANS 3:25–26 | NASB95

25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Propitiation refers to Christ's sacrifice satisfying God's righteous wrath against sin.

Through Christ's sacrifice, God remains just while declaring righteous those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26).

This is why the cross is essential.

God does not save sinners by abandoning His justice. He saves sinners through the sacrifice of His Son, in whom His justice is satisfied.

And because Christ's saving work is sufficient, sinners cannot add anything to its merit.

Christ Rose Bodily from the Dead

The gospel does not end with Jesus' death.

First Corinthians 15:3–4 summarizes the apostolic message: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:3–4 | NASB95

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

His resurrection was not merely spiritual or symbolic.

Jesus rose bodily from the grave.

The risen Christ appeared to His disciples and many other witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5–8).

His resurrection demonstrates His victory over death and confirms that His saving work was accepted.

Romans 4:25 connects Christ's death and resurrection with our justification.

Without the resurrection, Christianity would have no saving gospel (1 Corinthians 15:17).

But Christ has been raised.

The Savior who died for sinners is alive forevermore.

5. God Commands Sinners to Repent and Believe

What does God require of those who hear this good news?

Jesus' proclamation is direct.

Mark 1:15 (NASB95):

“repent and believe in the gospel.”

The gospel is not merely information to admire.

It demands a response.

Repentance: Turning to God

Repentance involves a genuine change of mind and heart concerning God, sin, and ourselves.

It includes acknowledging our guilt, turning from sin, and submitting to God's rightful authority.

Repentance does not mean becoming morally perfect before coming to Christ.

Nor does it mean earning God's forgiveness through sufficient sorrow or improved behavior.

Rather, repentance recognizes that our sin is evil and that we need God's mercy.

Faith: Trusting in Jesus Christ

Saving faith is more than acknowledging that Jesus existed or agreeing that Christian teaching is true.

It means personally trusting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Faith abandons confidence in our own righteousness and rests upon Christ's finished work.

We do not contribute to our salvation by becoming good enough.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NASB95) declares:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Salvation is God's gift.

Even repentance and faith do not earn forgiveness.

They are the response God commands and graciously enables.

Jesus teaches that sinners must be born again through the work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3–8).

Titus 3:5 explains that God saves us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit—not on the basis of righteous deeds we have performed.

What About Good Works?

Genuine saving faith produces a changed life.

Ephesians 2:10 teaches that believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works.

But the order matters.

We are not saved by good works. We are saved by grace for good works.

Obedience is the fruit of salvation, not its purchase price.

A religious ceremony, repeated prayer, public decision, or emotional experience cannot substitute for genuine repentance and faith.

The question is not merely whether you once made a religious decision.

The question is whether you are trusting Jesus Christ.

6. Those Who Belong to Christ Receive Eternal Life with God

The gospel promises more than escape from judgment.

Through Jesus Christ, God brings sinners into a restored relationship with Himself.

What Believers Receive Now

Those who repent and believe receive extraordinary blessings through union with Christ.

Forgiveness. God forgives their sins through Christ's blood (Ephesians 1:7).

Justification. God declares them righteous on the basis of Christ's saving work, received through faith (Romans 5:1).

Reconciliation. Those once alienated from God are brought into peace with Him (Romans 5:10–11).

Adoption. God welcomes believers into His family as His children (Romans 8:15–17).

New life. The Holy Spirit gives sinners new spiritual life and begins transforming them into Christ's likeness (Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

The Holy Spirit's presence. God gives His Spirit to dwell within believers (Romans 8:9–11).

Assurance and hope. Believers may rest in God's promises and Christ's preserving love (Romans 8:31–39).

These blessings do not mean Christians will never experience suffering.

Jesus warned His followers that discipleship would involve hardship, rejection, and persecution.

Believers still struggle with sin, experience grief, and eventually face physical death unless Christ returns first.

But their standing before God has fundamentally changed.

Romans 8:1 (NASB95) declares:

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

What Believers Will Experience Eternally

The Christian's hope extends beyond this present life.

Those who die in Christ enter His presence (Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8).

But the ultimate Christian hope is even greater than being with Christ immediately after death.

Scripture promises bodily resurrection.

First Corinthians 15:42–57 teaches that believers will be raised imperishable.

Philippians 3:20–21 promises that Christ will transform their bodies into conformity with His glorious body.

God will establish a new heaven and new earth.

Revelation 21:1–5 describes God's dwelling among His people.

REVELATION 21:3–4 | NASB95

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,

4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Death will be abolished.

Mourning, crying, and pain will be no more.

Sin and its consequences will be removed forever.

Revelation 22:3–4 declares that God's servants will worship Him and see His face.

Consider the magnitude of that promise.

Those who were once guilty before God will dwell forever in His presence.

Those who deserved condemnation will enjoy eternal fellowship with Him.

Those who were spiritually dead will experience everlasting life.

The greatest blessing of salvation is not merely that we escape judgment, but that we are reconciled to God and will dwell with Him forever.

Two Eternal Destinies

Scripture presents a solemn contrast.

Those who remain outside Christ face final judgment and eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11–15).

Those who belong to Christ receive eternal life in God's presence (John 3:16; Revelation 21–22).

Jesus does not describe these as equally valid spiritual destinations.

Nor does Scripture teach that everyone will eventually be saved regardless of their response to Christ.

The distinction is eternal.

And that makes the gospel urgent.

Yet the urgency of the gospel must never become an excuse for emotional manipulation.

We proclaim God's truth faithfully, trusting Him to accomplish His saving purposes.

Conclusion: Come to Jesus Christ

The gospel confronts us with the seriousness of our sin and the certainty of God's judgment.

But it also announces the immeasurable grace of God.

Jesus Christ lived the righteous life we could never live.

He died in the place of sinners, bearing the judgment they deserve.

He rose bodily from the grave.

And He now calls sinners to repent and believe.

You do not need to make yourself worthy before coming to Christ.

You cannot.

Come acknowledging your sin and your need for mercy.

Turn from trusting yourself and place your confidence in Jesus Christ.

Jesus promises in John 6:37 that He will not cast out those who come to Him.

The invitation is genuine.

The Savior is sufficient.

And the promise of eternal life is sure for all who belong to Him.

Repent and believe the gospel.

For Further Reading

If you would like to explore these truths directly from Scripture, begin with the Gospel of John, particularly chapters 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20.

Then read Romans 3–8, where Paul explains humanity's guilt, justification by faith, reconciliation with God, and the assurance believers have in Christ.

Finally, read Revelation 21–22 to consider the eternal future God promises His redeemed people.