PENALTY OF SIN
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s righteousness. God is Holy, Righteous and Just, and he will judge and punish sin. The penalty of sin is eternity in Hell (1 Peter 3:18; Romans 3:23).
It was Jesus’ death on the cross and is resurrection which provides salvation from sin (Romans 5:10; Ephesians 1:7).
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
GOSPEL OF JESUS
The Gospel: the belief and faith that Jesus Christ is God (Holy and Righteous) and what he did for us (his death, burial and resurrection).
Scripture teaches that Jesus is fully God, holy and righteous, and was also fully human, with a physical body like ours (Hebrews 7:26).
Over 2000 years ago, Jesus became a man to save lost mankind from their sins and to call them to believe in Him as their Saviour (John 3:16; John 6:40; Acts 2:36-38).
When He was put to death on a cross, He substituted himself in our place and bore the wrath of God for our sins (Hebrews 10:11–18). On the third day He rose from the grave.
Jesus Christ paid the due penalty of our sin (future, present and past), therefore saving us from our sins. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Salvation is available only through the sacrifice that Jesus made when he carried the sins of the world on the cross (John 14:6).
GIFT OF SALVATION
Salvation from the penalty of sin is received to whoever believes the Gospel.
If you believe the Gospel, you will become born-again, and are declared righteous as Christ is righteous. You can have assurance of eternal life (Isaiah 53:6; Acts 4:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Nothing can be done to obtain Salvation. It is not influenced by a person’s actions and it cannot be lost or removed (John 10:7-28;1 John 2:19).
Performing good deeds, being a good person, praying, baptism, going to church, communion, and having good intentions does not remove sin and does not contribute to a person obtaining salvation (Ephesians 2:5, 8-9; Romans 5:1; Romans 6:23). Salvation is the gracious gift of God.
It is with the heart that we believe and receive this free gift of salvation (Romans 10:10; Romans 5:18; Luke 7:50; John 4:1-42).
Repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).