Good news is never really good unless you have something bad to compare it to. We all understand when people ask, “Okay, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?” So if there is the good news of Jesus Christ, what is the bad news? The bad news is that we are sinners. We have all broken God’s Law. Have you ever lied, stolen anything, disobeyed your parents or hated anyone? If you have broken just one of these, then you are guilty of breaking them all. The book of James tells us, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). It is just like the law here in America. We don’t have to break every law to be guilty of a crime; we only have to break one.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...
Romans 3:23
We all know there are always consequences for doing things wrong, whether you made a wrong choice, said the wrong thing, or didn’t do the right thing. So there are also consequences for sinning against God by breaking His law. The Bible tells us that those consequences are eternal punishment in hell and suffering God’s wrath. The Bible tells us that hell is a horrible place that is eternal where the fire is never quenched, where the worm never dies, where the pain is so bad people are weeping and gnashing their teeth. It is indeed an awful place. Since we all have sinned, this is our eternal consequence.
For the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men...
Romans 1:18
Remember that there is always good news with the bad news. The good news is that God loves us and has made a way for us to escape the grip of hell. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus took our place of punishment for us. But what is even greater news is that Jesus didn’t remain in the grave dead, but He rose again proving that God accepted His sacrifice for us, and that Jesus conquered death.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him....
2 corinthians 5:21
The Bible commands us that we need to turn away from our sins and turn to Jesus Christ and confess and believe that what HE did for us can save us from hell. It really is that simple. It comes down to that one word, FAITH. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Saved from what? Saved from that eternal place of punishment called hell. Not only that, but you are also forgiven of everything you have ever done wrong. If you are not sure if you have done this, do it as soon as you get a chance. You can cry out to God anywhere at anytime. “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
ephesians 2:8
The Bible declares that if we choose to cry out unto God for our salvation and in repentance of our sins, we at that point immediately receive eternal life. This is a security in that we know we shall spend our lives after we die in eternal paradise where God dwells and enjoy a life without sin, death, pain, or trials. It is the greatest gift given to man.
And whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life!
john 3:15