"The Gospel"
The Gospel is not about going to heaven the moment we die, it’s about God making all things new.
Isaiah 65:17 “Behold, I am creating new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.”
There is a work in progress going on right now, as we speak. It’s the very promise of God in making all things new, and preparing a people who want to be part of the new creation, which involves making a new haven and new earth.
2 Peter 3:13 But we are looking forward to God’s promise of new heavens and a new earth afterwards, where there will be only goodness.
In the new heaven and the new earth there will be no more death, pain or sorrow. Nothing that sin brought into God’s first creation will be part of His new creation.
Revelation 21:1-5 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
This new creation is called, “The Kingdom of God”. Jesus even asked us to pray that the Kingdom of God would come.
Matthew 6:9-11 Jesus said, “When you pray, pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
No one who is unrighteous or who willfully practices unrighteousness will be allowed into God’s new creation. This is why God sent His Son into the world. Through God’s Son, we can be made righteous in the eyes of God, and through His leadership in our lives we can remain righteous, and receive eternal life.
John 12:47-50 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
Hebrews 5:8-9 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things He suffered. In this way, God qualified Him as a perfect High Priest, and He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him.
By accepting the death and resurrection of Jesus, on our behalf, we can be freely made righteous in the eyes of God, and through our obedience to His teachings, we can remain righteous in the eyes of God. If we remain faithful to the end of this life, Jesus will raise us up when He comes again so that we can be with Him forever. Just like His Father did for Him.
1 Corinthians 15:22-23 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 We tell you this as it came from the Lord. Those of us who are alive when the Lord comes again will not go ahead of those who have died. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. First, those who belong to Christ will come out of their graves to meet the Lord in the air. Then, those of us who are still living here on earth will be gathered together with them in the clouds, and will be with Him forever.
No one can enter into God’s new creation in their present condition, because we've all sinned against God at some point in our lives, which makes us unfit for the Kingdom of God. But God, in His great love for us, has made a way for us to be cleansed of all our past sin.
Romans 3:22-23 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Today, the door is wide open to enter into the promises of God, and be part of His eternal family. This can happen right now through the finished work of the cross of Christ. If we believe what Jesus did for us on the cross, we can receive God’s Spirit, and come alive to God, in Christ. When this happens we become a new creation in Christ, with a whole new purpose in life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone who belongs to Christ, they are a new person. The old life is gone. New life has begun.
Your new life will begin to show, because your desires will begin to change. You use to only think about the things of this temporary life, but now you have a whole new way of thinking, and living, that is more in line with God will and plan. This is called, “Walking in the newness of life” and it starts with water baptism for the forgiveness of all our past sin, and receiving God’s Spirit.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
John 3:3-7 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’
Start reading your Bible, find other believers who are mature in the faith to help you navigate the Word of God. Our journey in the Kingdom of God will consist of learning what God calls holy, and making holiness a part of our life.
Romans 6:22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become servants of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.
Hebrews 12:14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.
If or when we do fall into sin, after being cleansed and made alive to God, just confess it to God. Admit that it was wrong, and He will cleanse you of that unrighteousness. Now get back up, and continue the journey.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Some people might tell you to just eat, drink and be merry because you only have one life to live. This is true, we do only have one life, but we can make it eternal by believing and following the life and teachings of Jesus.
John 10:27-28 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
John 12:48-50 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
If you feel God is calling you to be part of His eternal family, or if you have any questions, feel free to email me at LifeRecoveryRI@aol.com or contact me through the contact link below.
See you in the Kingdom...
