The good news!

What is the gospel?

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul gives a nice overview of an important core of the gospel (literally translated, "the good news"). The good news is that man is freed from unholiness and sin so that we can live in relationship with God forever.

Holy

God is holy, pure, without defect. Unholiness cannot be with holiness without something bad happening. For example, when people touched the holy Ark of the Covenant, they fell down dead. Moses is warned at the burning bush to take off his shoes because the ground is holy. The prophet Isaiah falls forward to the ground when he sees a holy angel.
Man could only interact through God through sacrifices (https://bijbel.eo.nl/bijbelse-achtergrond/de-offers). The law and sacrificial service made it possible for there to be a relationship between God and man.
No man is as holy as God. And no one can become as holy by himself. No matter how well we try. And because people never fully obey the law, man is guilty.

The law, sin and punishment

The law consists of the precepts God gave to the people of Israel through Moses. A violation of it is called "sin," and sin, small or large, creates a separation between God and man. Man's relationship with his Creator is broken. As a human being, you cannot simply restore that relationship. The punishment that follows sin is what the Bible calls "the judgment of God" (read more here).

Jesus, as the son of God and the only holy man, took away the punishment for all sin and guilt. Jesus' holiness was given to us so that we can be in contact with the holy God. Jesus' death and resurrection changed the lives of all believers. Paul writes that we no longer need to fear God's judgment. God sees us, because of what Jesus did, as holy people, even though we are not actually so. Because Jesus died and rose, those who believe in him are absolved of guilt. By believing in Jesus, a relationship is possible between you and God.

A new life

Is believing really all you have to do? Paul explains that through faith you come to live as God desires. You have "died with Christ" to now "live a new life" ( Romans 6:4). In your actions, you show that you are no longer "slaves to sin" ( Romans 6:17). So you are free to do good, to live from love and holiness. 'But God proved his love to us by that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. All the more certain, then, that having been acquitted by his death, we shall be saved and not condemned thanks to him" (Romans 5:8-10).

Other religions

This is a big difference from other religions. All non-Christian religions are about human beings having to do their own best to come to God. Muslims must fulfill five rules to maintain their relationship with Allah. Buddhists must walk the Eightfold Path before reaching enlightenment. In Christianity, man's deliverance comes through God Himself. Thus, a Christian does not have to "earn" his own salvation or redemption, but is offered it through God's love.

Make your choice today!

So do you want to accept this new and also eternal life? Then make a decision today!
Decide to lay off your old life, which is focused on your own desires, and turn to the a new life in which you want to do the will of God.
God has good plans for your life and a life with Him is great!
You can begin by praying this prayer below:

 

Father in Heaven.
I believe in the sacrifice that jesus made, by going on the cross and laying down His life.
That I am thereby redeemed from my sins.
I repent of my sins and decide from now on to follow You.
I place my life in Your hands.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that it can guide me.
Thank You that I may now know that I am saved unto eternity through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.