BAD NEWS

Adam, God’s original man, fell from a perfect nature and righteousness to become became sinful and unrighteous (Gen. 3). Everyone born after Adam inherits the guilt due this sinful nature passed down from Adam (Rom. 5:12-14). When people sin they will be judged for their sins (Rev. 20:12-13). Not loving the God of the Bible is greatest sin (Matt. 22:37–38). Everyone falls short of this love and so breaks God’s law and stands condemned (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Our imperfections point us outside of our own efforts to the need of a Savior.

GOOD NEWS

God promised Adam and his offspring after him a Son who would save mankind, overcome the curse of death due our sin, and vanquish all enemies (Gen. 3:15). This Son was promised throughout the Old Testament (Ps. 2; Luke 24:25-26, 44). He was revealed to be Jesus the Christ who is the Son of God (Matt. 16:16-17; John 5:39). Jesus satisfies all that is necessary to save people by His life and death on the cross (1 Cor. 15:3-11). Humanity has one Savior who is willing and able to save individuals from sin and the wrath of God due our sin (1 Tim. 2:5-6). Jesus manifested and provides those who believe the righteousness of God lost by Adam (Rom. 3:21-22; 2 Cor. 5:21).

GOOD NEWS APPLIED

We do not save ourselves but God saves us. People are saved by God when they believe what God has said about Jesus. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners and he does so through belief. A person believes what God has said about sin, judgement, and salvation through Jesus when he/she is born again (John 3:3, 5-8). The new birth is God’s power exerted through the proclamation of the gospel which empowers a person to believe (1 Pet. 1:22-25; Rom. 1:16; 1 Tim. 1:12-14). At belief a person has been united to the work of Jesus on the cross and the righteousness of God needed to stand before our holy God.