What exactly is the big deal with Jesus? Why is it that Christians talk about him all the time and why should anyone get to know him? What is this “gospel” and why should people care?
We want to share the gospel and why Jesus should matter to all of us using something we call the Bridge Illustration or the Romans Road.
First thing you have to know is that God created us to be in relationship with Him. We were meant to love Him and be loved by Him. It’s in this relationship with God where we are most secure and most ourselves. It’s literally why we were made.
However, Romans 3:23 tells us that everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This sin separates us from God and prevents us from being together with Him in relationship.
It can help to imagine ourselves on a cliff overlooking a large canyon. On the other side of this gap, immeasurably far away, is God. Our only hope for salvation is somehow getting across.
Many of us believe that we can bridge this gap on our own. We try to do this with things like our good works, moral living, church attendance, or Bible knowledge. And while these things are indeed beneficial, none of them are sufficient to help us reach the other side. No matter how hard we try, or how good we manage to be, the first half of Romans 6:23 informs us that "the wages of sin is death".
So, the question remains. How do we bridge the gap? How do we have a relationship with God? Thankfully, the second half of Romans 6:23 gives us the good news: “the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The Bible tells us in Romans 5:1 we receive this gift by faith. Later in Romans 10:9-10, the author explains that if we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.
This is why Jesus is such a big deal. His death on the cross made provision for and covered our sins. It is His death that bridges the gap. This is the gospel, or “good news” of Jesus.
John 14:6 reminds us that there is no other way to God except through Jesus. Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life.
It is the gift of His life for us that sets us free.
So, what do you do? Simple. You pray this:
Father, forgive me for I am a sinner. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for His death on the cross. Father, I trust in Him. I believe that Jesus is Lord. I believe you raised Him from the dead, declaring with power that He’s the Son of God.
Believe this message and share it with others.
Are you in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? Get connected with Watermark online! Sign up for The Current, our weekly newsletter, to keep up to date on everything that is going on. If you have any questions about belief in Jesus, please reach out at ibelieve@watermark.org.
If you are a church leader, visit watermarkresources.com to learn more about bringing a Watermark ministry to your church!