What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Understanding the Good News of Salvation and God’s Free Gift of Grace
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
The word gospel simply means “good news.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that God loves you so deeply that He made a way for you to be restored to Him.
In the beginning, God created the world. But sin entered when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). From that moment, humanity was separated from God. Because of sin, we could never earn our way back to a perfect and holy God.
But God, in His mercy, made a way. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us.
John 3:16 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus—fully God and fully man—lived a perfect life without sin. He was crucified, buried, and rose again three days later, conquering sin and death. Through His resurrection, we are offered forgiveness and restored to a right relationship with God.
Salvation: God’s Free Gift of Grace
The gospel is not about what we can do to earn God’s approval—it’s about what Jesus has already done for us. Scripture is clear that salvation is a free gift from God, received by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Salvation comes when we recognize our need for a Savior, confess our sins, and place our faith in Jesus as Lord.
Romans 10:9–10 (NIV)
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Through faith in Jesus, you receive forgiveness, grace, and eternal life—a restored relationship with God that begins the moment you believe.
A Prayer to Accept Jesus Christ
There is no perfect or “magic” prayer. What matters is your heart and your faith in Jesus. If you are ready to take this step, you can use the following prayer as a guide:
Prayer for Salvation
Dear God, Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, I come before You knowing that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Father, I believe that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life, die on the cross, and rise again so that I could be forgiven and made right with You.
I accept this free gift of salvation today.
Lord, help me to follow You with my whole heart and to grow in faith and love for You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
If you prayed this prayer sincerely, Scripture promises that you are now a child of God, forgiven and free.
What Happens Next?
When you accept Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live within you as your guide, comforter, and helper.
Ephesians 1:13–14 (NIV)
“When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.”
You are never alone. God’s Spirit is with you, leading you into truth, giving you strength, and helping you grow in faith day by day.
Practical Next Steps for Growing in Faith
Your new life in Christ is a relationship—a daily walk with God. Growth takes time and intentionality. Here are some simple next steps:
Read the Bible: By opening up the bible and reading God’s word we can learn more about Him, draw deeper into relationship with Him, and understand how to conduct ourselves.
Pray regularly: Talk to God honestly about your thoughts, feelings, and questions.
Find a Bible-believing church: Look for a church that teaches directly from Scripture and preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Join a small group or Bible study: Build relationships with others who can walk with you in your faith journey.
Serve and share: Live out your faith through love, kindness, and service to others.
Consider Christian counseling: As you grow spiritually, God may also invite you to work through emotional or mental struggles. Faith-based counseling can help you align your healing and growth with His truth and grace.
God Is Near
Jesus is not a distant or unreachable Savior. His name, Emmanuel, means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23 KJV). He understands what it means to be human because He lived it. Scripture tells us that:
“we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV).
He knows your pain, your struggles, and your fears. He meets you exactly where you are. You don’t have to have it all together before coming to Him. He invites you to come as you are, and He promises to walk with you as you grow.
Final Reflection
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest story of love and redemption ever told. It is the story of a God who pursued His people and made a way for them to be with Him forever. This gift of grace is freely given—but it must be accepted.
If you’re ready to begin a relationship with Jesus, or if you simply want to learn more about who He is, start today. Open your Bible. Talk to God. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8 (NIV)
And if you’re walking through questions, pain, or uncertainty, know that God can use both your faith and the counseling process to bring healing, peace, and transformation. You don’t have to walk this journey alone—He is with you, and help is available every step of the way.
Sarah Theimer, M.Ed, LPC, CCTP-II
Sarah Theimer is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional – Level II (CCTP-II) in Virginia. As the founder of Breakthrough Mental Health Counseling, Sarah helps adults find healing from anxiety and trauma through evidence-based approaches integrated with Biblical truth. Her mission is to walk alongside clients as they invite God into the healing process, discover freedom from past pain, and move toward the life He has called them to live.