Fountain of Life

The Gospel means “good news,” but for good news to be truly good, it must stand in contrast to bad news. The bad news is this: without Christ, all humanity is destined for judgment, eternal separation from God, and punishment in hell. Romans 3:23 (NIV) declares:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Because of sin, every human being is under the righteous judgment of God. Romans 6:23 (NIV) tells us: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This death is not just physical death but also spiritual death — eternal separation from God. Jesus Himself spoke of the reality of hell, warning his followers in Matthew 10:28 (NIV): “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Hell is not a symbolic place; it is a real, eternal destination for those who reject Christ. In Matthew 25:46 (NIV), Jesus explains the final judgment, saying: “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

The bad news is clear: apart from Christ, humanity faces the wrath of God. John 3:36 (NIV) confirms this: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

But here is the good news: God, in his love and mercy, provided a way of escape. Instead of leaving us to face his wrath, he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment we deserved. Romans 5:8 (NIV) tells us: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, satisfying God’s justice and offering us the gift of eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV) declares this life-giving truth: “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.”

This is the essence of the Gospel — the “good news” that Jesus Christ has made a way for us to be saved from the wrath of God and eternal separation in hell. It is only through faith in Him that we are rescued. As Jesus said in John 14:6 (NIV):
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

If there were another way to salvation, then the cross and the sacrifice of Christ would be meaningless. But Scripture is clear: there is no other way. Acts 4:12 (NIV) states:
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Call to Action
The world is filled with darkness, deception, and compromise, but as followers of Christ, we are called to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel. The world may try to convince us that “all paths lead to God,” but that is a lie from the enemy. We must be bold and unashamed in declaring the truth that Jesus is the only way. As Paul declared in Romans 1:16 (NIV):
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

We are called to be lights in the darkness, shining brightly with the truth of the Gospel. Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) says:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Shining your light means standing firm in the truth, sharing the good news of salvation, and warning others of the bad news. It means proclaiming the reality of hell, the wrath of God, and the need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. We must remember that we are not here to please the world but to glorify God by preaching His truth, even when it is unpopular. As Paul reminded Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7-8 (NIV):
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Gospel — the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your only Son to die for our sins. We acknowledge that we were once under Your wrath, deserving of judgment, but through Jesus, we have been redeemed. Fill our hearts with gratitude for this gift and give us boldness to share this truth with others. Help us to be unashamed of the Gospel, to shine as lights in a dark world, and to proclaim the message of salvation with clarity, compassion, and conviction. May we never compromise the truth, and may our lives reflect Your love and grace, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Grace, peace and calvary greetings!