What is the Gospel?

Many people ask what is the gospel. Another important question is 'why should I care?'. The word gospel comes from the old English language and it means "good news". What is this good news? Before we can understand and welcome the good news we must first understand the bad news. For the unbeliever, the bad news is that there is a God who is perfectly good and just. Why is this bad news? This is bad news because we are not perfectly good and we are not perfectly just. Furthermore, this good God will some day judge all things including every hidden thing. Therefore we are guilty and are unable to pay our debt. If the story ends here, this would be bad news indeed. But the good news is that the story does not end here. God has not left us without hope. The good news is that in God's goodness he has provided a way for us to pay our debt. For God has sent his only son Jesus into this world to pay the debt that we cannot pay. Jesus lived a perfectly righteous life. Then by the evil deeds of man, Jesus was put to death on a cross. On that cross, all the sins of all men and women were paid for by the death of Jesus. Indeed, your sins were paid for by the blood of Jesus. There is only one condition. That is, if you desire to have the death of Jesus pay for your sins, then you must first believe in God and then you must ask for forgiveness of your sins. This forgiveness is available to all men and women. It is not to difficult. You do not need money; you do not need a PhD; you do not need to go to the mountain top to pray. Just believe in God and ask for forgiveness and you will be saved. Saved from what? You will be saved from God's judgment and punishment for your sins. This is very good news. You do not have to worry about not being good enough; you do not have to worry about being perfect. This is great news! Not only will you not be punished for your sins but you will have eternal life. This is very great news!! Why refuse this very loving offer of forgiveness and eternal life? How long will you resist this love of God? Humble your pride and believe in God. Ask God forgiveness. Ask God to come into your life and give you the peace that passes understanding. The Bible says "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This is the good news. This is the Gospel and this Gospel is waiting for you.