The Gospel is good news. On that night, two thousand years ago, when Jesus was born, the angel of the Lord said to the shepherds, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:10-11). Then the sky was visibly filled with angels who unitedly praised God saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’ (v. 14). But why is this such good news? Why the great joy? What is the peace spoken of here? It is described as being for all people. Do you have it? In this article I would like to ask some basic questions which get at the heart of this wonderful salvation which God offers to us.

Why do I Need to be Saved?⤒🔗

No question is more basic than this one. Many people feel no desire for salvation and yet all need to be saved. Are you saved? But why do you need to be saved? Simply because you are a sinner and all sins are going to be punished. God created us to glorify Him – to worship, praise and serve Him – and also to enjoy Him. Interestingly, and I can personally assure you of it, there is actually nothing in life that gives us more enjoyment than glorifying Him. God loves to bless those who spend their lives pleasing Him. Initially all went well with Adam and Eve, our first parents in the Garden of Eden. But then Satan came to them, tempted them to sin by eating the forbidden fruit, promised that they would be like God if they did, and they listened, did as he said and sinned. As a result they were put out of the garden and into a state of sin and misery. We are now all born with a bent to evil. People ask where does pain, sickness, tragedy and death come from. The answer is here. It is God’s punishment on sin and sadly we are all sinners. God gave us Ten Commandments. None of us keeps any of them. God has said, you shall not covet, you shall not lust and you shall not be angry. What about you? Are you not a sinner – a commandment breaker? Because God is so great, glorious and good, and because He has made us and therefore we belong totally to Him, even the smallest sin against God is terribly wrong and will be punished by an eternity in Hell. Remember there is a Judgment Day at the end of our lives in this world. Will it be heaven or Hell for you? You and I need to be saved from Hell.

Can we Save Ourselves?←⤒🔗

Many people think they can save themselves. They argue that if they do sufficient good deeds that will balance out the evil which they have done. So they get involved with various charities – they help the sick, the abused, the homeless and the hungry. Now all this is good but it is simply our duty. Wicked Cain asked ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ Of course he is and so are you and I. God’s commandment demands that you love your neighbour just as you love yourself and Jesus includes your enemy amongst those you must love (Matthew 5:44). On another occasion Jesus said, ‘When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do’ (Luke 17:10). We should be doing good works all the time and if not we are guilty. So good works cannot balance out our bad deeds.

Others try to save themselves by involvement in religious worship and activity. But the one thing that distinguishes the true Christian religion from every other form of Christianity and from every other religion is that prayers, worship and ritual will not save. Others think that if they punish themselves this will please God. They deprive themselves of food and warmth and even beat their bodies but why should that impress or please God? He has no pleasure in us causing ourselves pain. Actually there is nothing we can do to earn salvation.

What has God Done to Save Us?←⤒🔗

The best known verse in the Bible tells us that ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16). God in His amazing love gave to us the most precious thing He had – His own Son. He spared not His own Son (Romans 8:32), but sent Him into this world to die for our sins. The Son of God became our substitute, taking on Himself our sin and then the punishment due for our sins. God is so just and holy that He cannot just overlook sin and pardon it. Sin demands punishment and the only way we could escape is by the Son of God suffering in our room and place. He endured the Hell which we deserve on the cross so that we would enjoy Heaven. God the Father planned it and sent His Son. God the Son came and purchased salvation for us with His life blood. God the Holy Spirit applies this salvation to us making it personally ours. Salvation is all God’s work and we must give Him all the glory for it.

What Must I do to be Saved?←⤒🔗

The Bible says: ‘Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13). Christ has done all that is required. Fall down before Him and worship Him. Pray to Him, calling upon Him for salvation. The ‘whosoever’ invites everyone in the world to call. Whoever you are, whatever your background, whatever your religion or lack of it, whatever sins you have committed, ask Him and He will save you. Paul makes the good news of the Gospel plain. It is ‘the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation’ (Romans 10:8­ 10). Repent, turning from your evil ways and trust in Christ and you will immediately be saved.

What Happens when I am Saved?←⤒🔗

When a person is saved a huge change takes place. It is described in the Scriptures as the new birth, or new creation, or resurrection. Not only are your sins pardoned but you are transformed into a new person. You have new desires. The rule of sin and Satan over you is broken. You are liberated and set free from the addiction to sin. The Holy Spirit comes to live in your heart empowering you to live for God. Many people think I could never change myself to be a Christian or keep it going once I became one. Nothing is truer than that. But as a real born again Christian God works mightily in your life delivering you from the craving to sin and enabling you to love God.

What am I Saved to?←⤒🔗

You are saved from Hell for Heaven. You are given a wonderful future of everlasting happiness. Even in this life there is an amazing sense of liberty, peace and joy that comes into your life. Guilt is gone. You now have a purpose and direction to your life. You have a guide and true friend who is always with you and will never leave you.

When should I Seek Salvation?←⤒🔗

Many think they are too young to give their life to Christ. They promise themselves and others that one day they will make their peace with God. But the Bible says today is the day of salvation (Hebrews 3:7). Others left it for a future date and are today in hell. Death can come suddenly and unexpectedly. Prepare to meet your God! Make peace with Him today! Trust in Christ!