The Gospel in a Nutshell
The plain simple gospel of the Lord’s salvation is perhaps best presented by a single, but very familiar verse in the gospel writings of John.
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.
The most important thing to understand about the plan of salvation is that it is God’s plan, and not humanity’s plan.
In God’s plan of salvation, first we must understand why we need to be saved. Simply put, we need to be saved because we all have sinned; and God cannot abide any sin whatsoever.
The Bible also teaches that, because God is holy and just, He cannot allow sin to go unpunished. The punishment for sin is death.
God Himself is the only one who can provide for the salvation that we all so desperately need. We are utterly unable to save ourselves because of our sin and its consequences. Only God could offer mankind the necessary salvation because it was God that created mankind in the first place.
Point 1. Since only God the Creator could offer mankind salvation, it is therefore a necessary prerequisite that God be a “god of love” for him to extend such graciousness to sinful men!
Point 2. In fact, John 3:16 imparts that “God so Loved” mankind that he undertook an exceptional act to demonstrate his love!
Point 3. The action of love that God took on behalf of sinful man cost God the ultimate price, the sacrifice of his Only Son, which was the mandated price to effectively absolve mankind from his sinful status; and also grant unto believers the hope of eternal life!
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Point 4. God did not send his Son (Jesus) into the world to Condemn anyone! Jesus specifically came to the world to Save!
Point 5. As Jesus himself explained in his ministry, mankind can only be saved through him! (John 14:6)
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already; because he Hath not believed in the name of the Son of God.
Point 6. By believing upon Jesus as the Son of God and that he paid the ransom price for sin, a person can forever be removed from the condemnation that sin has inflicted upon us.
Point 7. Conversely, if one denies, rejects or ignores the demonstrated love of God offered through Jesus; then they remain in their natural Condemned state!
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Point 8. Jesus embodied the eye opening and soul saving light of eternal absolute Truth. Jesus is the Light of the world. (John 8:12 & John 9:5)
Point 9. Sadly, the sinful nature of mankind, coupled with his natural enmity against the things of God; compels many people to prefer the seductiveness of sin, and all of its delusions.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds be reproved.
Point 10. Since mankind has become so acclimated to Satans cosmic rebellion against God and righteousness, he continues to explore with his own prideful ways; and therefore has joined himself to the way of the world and developed a great disdain for God’s reproof!
Ephesians 2:4-8 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5. Even when we dead in sin, hath quickened us together in Christ, (by his Grace we are Saved) 6. And Hath raised us up, and made us to sit together in heavenly places through Christ Jesus. 7. That in the ages to come he might show us the exceeding richness of his Grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8. For by Grace are we saved through Faith; and nothing of ourselves, for it is the Gift of God!
| Focus on the Bible |
by: Darrell G. Young
February 22, 2021
