The Gospel
What It Means to Accept the Christian Way of Life

Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have been transformed/renewed and live out what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. (Romans 12; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Thus, one must be born again/born anew from above according to John 3:1-21, consider these:

God Is Sovereign Creator

The Scripture tells us we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.

God Is Holy, Holy, Holy

God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3); therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13; 1 John 1). God requires holiness of us as well. 1 Peter 1:16. One attribute of God was in the superlative, Holy, Holy, Holy. Revelation 4:8-11

Mankind Is Sinful

According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: There is no man who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). We're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own, or pursuing righteousness being dean in sin (Romans 3:10-12).

Sin Demands a Penalty

God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by eternal death (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23).

Jesus Is Lord and Savior

Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).

The Character of Saving Faith

True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful/missed the mark, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9), pursue Christ (Matthew 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obey Him (1 John 2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).