This is the gospel. Jesus in our place.
But Jesus’ death only begins the story of healing. Christ died, rose again, and will come back to make all things new, restoring completely the perfect fellowship between God and humanity that we can experience, in part, today. Until that day, God has given Christians the Holy Spirit as a helper, his presence within his people.
From beginning to end, our reunion with God is a gift from God. It is, in a word, grace (vv. 6–10).
But this grace must be received.
Are you ready to walk in faith, trusting that Jesus has done everything necessary to save you?
Faith in God is displayed through repentance and belief. Repentance is a deep sorrow for the sin (ways we’ve disobeyed and rebelled against God) we’ve committed. Belief is proclaiming and trusting that God has saved us through the work of his Son, Jesus Christ. By continued repentance and belief, we walk daily in renewed obedience as the Holy Spirit works within us, making us more like Christ as we await his return.
If you’re ready, the Apostle Paul shows you how to respond.
He writes, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
You can pray now, even if you never have or you don’t know how. If you’re struggling with the words, say something to God like this:
“God, I confess that I am a sinner. I repent of my sin. I know that Jesus Christ died on the cross in my place and that he rose again as a promise of new life. Thank you, Jesus, for living the life I should have lived and dying the death that I deserved. God, I give you my life, knowing that I am now yours to fulfill your plans in me. Thank you for showing your love to me.”