Forgiveness is a powerful message and is not new. In fact, it was spoken more than 2000 years ago by Jesus on the Cross (Luke 23:34). This is the heart of Christianity. Let’s look at what the gospel message is all about:
1. Christianity is about recognising our condition (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2; Proverbs 30:12)
2. Christianity is about recognising The Good News (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 6:2; John 15:13–15)
3. Christianity is recognising the need for repentance (Luke 3:8a; John 8:31-32; Acts 3:19)
4. Christianity is about receiving a new life (John 14:6; Romans: 6:23; Galatians 2:20)
Apply
1. Christianity is about recognising our condition. We can’t talk about forgiveness and reconciliation if we don’t see that something wrong was done that needs forgiveness or punishment (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from God. We have all made mistakes and deserve God's justice. Our moral standards are so far from God’s: we indulge in and accept sin, we stop looking to the Word of God to set the standard for our lives, and even classify sin into categories of scandalous (e.g. sexual immorality, robbery, idolatry, drunkenness, greed, lust etc) and others which we see as not so harmful (e.g. gossip, envy, ego, hatred, arrogance or disobedience). But the Bible doesn’t classify sins; it tells us that all our sins have separated us from God. What is separating you from God (Isaiah 59:2)? What have you accepted in your life that is not according to God’s word? Many people call themselves a Christian but don’t act like a real, New Testament Christian (Proverbs 30:12). Today come before Christ and lay the secrets of your heart before Him. Once we understand our condition, we can discover what Christianity is about.
2. Christianity is about recognising The Good News. Our God is amazing: He is not only just, but He also provided the sacrifice to cover our debt. There are no human efforts, no good thoughts or deeds, good enough to reach heaven. Nothing is enough except the Good News of Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus took our place of condemnation, guilt and shame, and exchanged it for His freedom (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9). The good news is that there is a way to enjoy eternal life, there is hope. The Gospel never says tomorrow is the day of salvation, it says it is today (2 Corinthians 6:2)! Today, there is hope for you, for your family, and for whatever your current situation is. This hope is found at the Cross of Jesus. Christianity isn’t about rules, rituals, or trying harder to be perfect. It’s about relationship, knowing Jesus for yourself, walking with Him, and hearing His voice. Today you can one step to get to know Jesus, then take another to develop friendship with Him, and you will be on the road to the greatest decision of your life: to walk with Him for the rest of your life (John 15:13–15). Jesus calls you friend, and Jesus laid down His life for you. It means that He became the bridge between you and God the Father. A real friend is honest with you and confronts you in love. Someone who lifts you up in difficult moments and someone who challenges you to be better person. That real friend is Jesus.
3. Christianity is recognising the need for repentance. This is when the Gospel comes to life. We can see that we haven’t done good, and that there is Good News, but this is still not discovering real Christianity unless you accept, embrace and believe this good news - and it starts with your repentance. To repent means “To change one’s mind”, which means: taking personal responsibility for your sins; acknowledging that sin is first and foremost against God; realising that sin is at the core of who we are as humans; and knowing that we offer nothing that can excuse or offset our sin. Repentance is a turning point. If you repent of your sins, it means that from today you will bear different fruit, change your habits, decide to stop living a certain way and to turn back to God (Luke 3:8a). When you understand Jesus’ teaching and hold onto it, you will be set free (John 8:31-32). Repentance is taking the step to recognise and seek God, like the prodigal Son, who we read in the Bible decided to repent and turn back to the father when he was living a life of sin (Acts 3:19).
4. Christianity is about receiving a new life. If you have recognised your sins, you recognise the good news, and repent, you are ready to start a new life. Jesus is the only one who was born without sin. When you come to Him you are clothed in righteousness, He cleanses your sins, and He changes your life (John 14:6; Romans: 6:23). There is the power in encountering Jesus. You can be free from the burden of sin and receive eternal life in Jesus. When we receive this new life, it transforms us, changing us from the inside, and it will allow us to love others, including our enemies. It gives us hope for the future, and means we can change the course of history (Galatians 2:20). Enjoy this new opportunity and share the good news with others, including you family, colleagues, and neighbours.
