The Gospel for Young People

A Further Explanation:

What is Truth?

We live in a time where truth seems distant. Many are unsure if truth even exists, especially when it comes to religion. “You have your truth, and I have mine,” some exclaim. But is this reasonable? Is such a thought consistent with our world?

We live in a world with concrete laws. Many things are objective. They are true regardless of what you believe about them. Math does not change because we dislike it. Neither does history. Nor gravity. When considering these things, we understand that God either exists according to how the Bible describes Him, or He does not. Therefore, our opinions about how we want God to act have no bearing. In other words, God is your sovereign ruler regardless of if you want Him to be.

A Wicked Heart

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The Bible directly contradicts the idea of following our natural, unregenerate hearts. We are born sinners (Psalm 51:5). Sin, simply put, is disobedience to God. It only makes sense then, that as sinners, we sin. It is rightly said that “We are not sinners because we sin. Rather, we sin because we are sinners.” Our sinfulness deceives us and causes us to deceive others. We make up a false god in our image. Instead of understanding that we are made in God's image, we pretend God is made in man's image. We pretend we do little sins to a little god who requires little justice.

Jesus described things much differently, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Jesus did not see sin as a little thing to a little god. Hell is described in the Bible as a conscious, eternal place of torment (Revelation 20:10). Hell is a place where unbelievers experience the wrath of God for their sins against Him. God is perfect. We are imperfect. God is infinite. We are finite. The imperfect, finite creatures have sinned against the perfect, infinite creator.

What else could be the rational response for a holy, perfect God but for Him to love justice? Similar to how a judge would make sure an evil murderer gets punished, God must punish sinners. He is a righteous judge who is angry at the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11). But His standard is higher than only punishing murderers. All liars, even “white liars,” have their part in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). That means everyone deserves Hell. God demands a perfect and infinite payment for our sins. If we would have any hope, God must take on human flesh and dwell among us.

A Wonderful Savior

Our hearts naturally hate God, but there is still hope! God can give unbelievers a new heart that loves Him! He can save the wicked from Hell and instead show them unconditional love. How can He do this and remain just? Because while we were yet sinners, Christ died. But how can this help us? It is all about what His death accomplished. After Jesus was born of a virgin and lived the perfect life, He willingly submitted Himself to the death of the cross. He suffered and died to bear the undiluted wrath of God for sinners. Yes, the eternal Son of God did this for sinners!

Unlike works-based religions that claim it is possible to work off your sins, Jesus has completed the work. After this, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day! Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, and will one day return to judge the world in righteousness. The gospel call is for you to repent of your sins and believe in Jesus. Repentance is not a human work, it is a free gift of God. It is a work of God in the hearts of sinners that is prefaced with godly sorrow. A repentant man is a man who understands he has sinned greatly against God. True repentance always includes a turning from sins. Faith is simply to trust in Jesus. It is not an anti-intellectual, feelings-based pursuit. It includes an understanding that no work can be done to earn salvation. It is a faith that clings to the finished work of Jesus.

What Now?

Jesus claimed that He is the truth (John 14:6). To understand Jesus is to understand the truth. Jesus in His very being is truth. He can not lie! And He has promised that He will give you salvation if you come to Him in repentance and faith. Do not wait, cry out in prayer for His grace today! He is willing to give sinners a new heart with new desires. Reject your evil desires and cling to Christ! Why does it matter if you are rich, happy, and loved by people if God is angry with you? Please, run to the foot of the cross! It is the only place where any sinner will find forgiveness.

Once saved, make reading God’s word (the Bible) a habit! Find a good local church. Get baptized. Do these things because you now love Him and understand the wonderful truth He has revealed to you.

God bless you. - Dimetri