The Gospel According to Scripture

Where did we come from? Why are we here? What happens when we die? Humans have pondered these questions for thousands of years.

Many assume that such questions cannot be answered. Others believe that the different world religions provide answers that, while different in some ways, are all equally valid. T

he Bible claims to be the very written Word of God and provides answers to these fundamental questions of human existence.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone,     but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  Matthew 4:4

The Bible clearly says where everything came from, including human life:

In the Beginning God created the Heavens and the earth.  Genesis 1:1

But how can we know this claim is true? God says that the beauty and wonder and majesty of creation is plenty of evidence to show that He is our awesome creator:

The heavens declare the glory of God,     and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1

But ask the beasts, and they will teach you;     the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you;     and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know     that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing     and the breath of all mankind.  Job 12:7-10

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.  Romans 1:21

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)

God created the universe and everything in it and He gave us life:

Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7

Thus says God, the Lord,     who created the heavens and stretched them out,     who spread out the earth and what comes from it,     who gives breath to the people on it     and spirit to those who walk in it  Isaiah 42:5

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

Not only did the Lord God create us and give us life, He created us in His image:

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image,     in the image of God he created him;     male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:26-27

What does it mean to be created in the image of God? Does it mean that we look like God? Does it have to do with our ability to think, feel, and communicate? Does the image of God lie in our ability to reproduce or in our moral accountability? All of these are certainly factors in the discussion but a simpler answer may be the best answer.

If someone creates an image of say, George Washington – be it a painting or a statue – they do it because they want the person who views the image to think about and consider George Washington. When God placed his image on man – men and women are equally image bearers by the way – He wants us to reflect Himself. Carrying the image of God is about representing God and being His ambassador.

Thus mankind’s creation was not a cosmic accident. God created and designed men and women to bear His image, which means that every individual has intrinsic worth and value.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,     the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,  what is man that you are mindful of him,     and the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4

God created man to have dominion over the earth, to work the ground, to be fruitful and multiply, and most importantly to enjoy a loving relationship with Him.

If there is to be a loving relationship there must be choice. God gave mankind free will, the ability to choose to love or not love God. How can there be real love if there is no choice? God did not create pre-programmed robots who could only obey and follow Him.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.  And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:15-17

Satan, rebel against God and enemy of mankind, tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God’s Word and to do their own thing:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:1-6

Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s commandment and sinned against their Creator. Their sinned caused them to be separated from God and the intimate relationship they had enjoyed suffered and was lost:

Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”  He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” Genesis 3:7-11

Adam and Eve had literally been clothed with light as a reflection of the Glory of God. When they sinned this garment of light began to fade. Fellowship with a holy and perfect God caused them to feel fear and shame. They sought to hide from the very God who created them and gave them life.

I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Isaiah 6:1-5

But,” God said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” Exodus 33:20

Adam and Eve did not die right away physically, although they eventually would. The meaning of death is separation. Because of sin Adam and Eve were separated from God – they could no longer enjoy a direct relationship with Him.

When a person dies, their spirit and soul are separated from their physical body. So the death that Adam and Eve suffered was two-fold – spiritual death (separation from God) and physical death (separation from the physical body).

For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23

Adam and Eve’s nature became terminally infected by sin and they passed this sin nature on to all of their offspring (all of us):

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. Romans 5:12

We are all born in sin and separated from God:

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23

None is righteous, no, not one Romans 3:10

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment Isaiah 64:6

The heart is deceitful above all things,     and desperately sick;     who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

A sinner can not stand in the presence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, infinite holy God. God cannot simply excuse sin because that would corrupt His own righteousness, justice and perfection. Those who die in their sin will be separated from God eternally in what the Bible calls the second death:

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’  Matthew 25:41

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.  And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

But you say, I am not a coward. I’m not a murderer. I’m a good person and I’ve done plenty of good in my life. God will let me into His Heaven when I die.

The Ten Commandments were not given as a way that man could earn righteousness by keeping the Law. Instead, they were given as a mirror to show us our utter inability to follow God’s Law – to show us that we are sinners:

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20

So how have you done? Have you kept God’s Law, the Ten Commandments?

Have you lied? Even if it was about something small? If so, what does that make you? (A liar?)

Have you ever stolen anything? Even if it was just a piece of candy or 50 cents or a pen? If so, what does that make you? (A thief?)

Have you ever looked upon another person with lust? Jesus says that everyone who looks at another with lustful intent has already committed adultery in their heart (Matthew 5:27-28).

Have you ever hated someone? Jesus says that hating someone is the same as murdering them in your heart (Matthew 5:21-22).

So how did you do? Are you a lying, thieving adulter who is a murderer at heart? And that’s only four of the Ten Commandments. God’s Word actually says that if we break only one of the Commandments we have broken the entire Law:

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. James 2:10

So if God judges you by the Ten Commandments would you go to Heaven or Hell?

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne. A good judge does not let a crime go unpunished. If someone who had raped and murdered another told the judge, “Yeah, I did those things but other than that I am basically a good person” would a good judge simply let them off the hook? Of course not!

How much more then should an all-Holy and perfect God judge guilty sinners? The Bible says that the wrath of God abides on sinners (John 3:36).

But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 2:5

For those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. Romans 2:8

If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:6

Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God. Ezekiel 22:31

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31

Who then can stand before God, you ask? That is exactly the point, no one can!

When Adam and Eve fell God had a plan. Here is the very first prophecy given in the Bible:

The Lord God said to the serpent [Satan],     “Because you have done this,       cursed are you above all livestock       and above all beasts of the field;     on your belly you shall go,       and dust you shall eat       all the days of your life.     I will put enmity between you and the woman,       and between your offspring and her offspring [the Messiah];     he [the Messiah] shall bruise your head,       and you [Satan] shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15

God promised that a Savior – the Messiah – would come from the seed of the woman, meaning her offspring. Genesis 3:21 is a foreshadowing of the promised Messiah:

And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

To make the garments an animal (a lamb?) had to be killed. Here a principle is being established – without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Throughout Scripture Jesus Christ is presented as the Lamb of God. The Passover Lamb of Exodus is the story of what Jesus would one day provide. When John the Baptist saw Jesus he proclaimed, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

Jesus Christ came to earth. He was fully man yet still fully God.

For to us a child is born,     to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,     and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,     and they shall call his name Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23

Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit. This meant that his humanity was not corrupted by the sin nature of Adam.

Jesus lived a flawless sinless life – keeping God’s Law, the Ten Commandments, perfectly.

[Christ] committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 1 Peter 2:22

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

The Lord Jesus did what you and I could not do for ourselves and therefore was worthy to be a sacrifice on our behalf, shedding His own blood so that our sins could be forgiven:

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. Romans 5:18

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Jesus died, was buried, rose from the dead three days later and then ascended into Heaven to the right hand of God the Father.

Salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned. It is received by faith.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

If you have read this far and you know that you are separated from God and on your way to hell, why not make a decision to put your faith in the completed work of Christ right now? Jesus says,

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

In your own words, acknowledge your sin to God, admit that you have been doing things your own way, tell the Lord that you are sorry and asl for His forgiveness. Thank Jesus for dying for your sins and accept the free gift of eternal life by faith.

If you do this you will be born from above and you will pass from death to life:

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

When we are born again God sends the Holy Spirit to come live inside us:

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

If we truly have been born again and if we truly have the Holy Spirit in us then our lives will change. It may take some time but God will change us and make us more like Christ. Our lives will be evidence that we belong to God.

For we are [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17

Good works are not the cause of salvation but they are the fruit of it. You will know a tree by its fruit – a good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree produces bad fruit (Matthew 7:18, 12:33). The fruit of God’s Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Many believe they are Christians but they have never been born again:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

If you just gave your life to the Jesus Christ, praise the Lord! Don’t keep this to yourself, tell someone and be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Baptism doesn’t save us but Jesus does command His followers to be baptized and we want to obey our Lord.

You should also get yourself a Bible and begin to read it and meditate on God’s Word. Most Bible Apps are free for your Smartphone. Also begin to talk to God – make spending time with Him in prayer a priority.

It is also important to find other born-again believers to fellowship with. The Christian life was not meant to be done alone – we are a community of believers and we need each other.

And finally know that the Christian life is often not easy. We have a real enemy and we live in a hostile world so don’t be surprised when you encounter trials and tribulations. Scriptures says these trials are a momentary light affliction (2 Corinthians 4:17) and we can be joyful knowing that one day soon we’ll be with the Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever.