As a kid, I heard the story of Jesus often. For me Jesus was like Abraham Lincoln. He was a historic figure that did good things to help people. Then one morning the realization of my evil heart overwhelmed me. I felt shame and guilt for my lies and my lusts. I remember walking into my parent’s room before it was light outside and waking them up to talk. That morning Jesus moved from being a historic figure to my Savior and Lord. My parents helped me to understand and believe that Jesus changes everything. This is the Good News:

1. All have sinned.

Romans 3:23 tells us that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Every person that had ever lived has done evil things. We rebel against God. We live with selfish motives behind even our selfless actions.

2. The penalty for sin is death.

Romans 6:23 says that “The wages of sin is death.” Wages are what one earns for their actions. Because God is good, He must act justly in the face of the evil in the world. Our sin must be judged by a good God.

3. Christ died for you.

Romans 5:8 explains that a “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is why Good Friday is Good News. “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus took our sin on himself and died for us. In addition, on Easter Sunday, Jesus overcame death by rising again. Jesus then appeared in resurrected form to hundreds of people. Their lives were radically changed and most died because they knew, shared and wouldn’t deny that Jesus was the Savior of the world.

4. You can be saved by grace through faith Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8–9 summarizes the Good News: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Grace is undeserved favor. We deserve death. Jesus gives life. How? We are saved or rescued through faith in what Jesus has done.

Faith is believing. Faith is trusting. Faith is transformational. Jesus changes everything.

If you were honest, are you trusting in your own doing or in what Jesus has done? Do you believe getting into heaven is the result of your works or the work of Jesus? When you pray do you find yourself boasting or praising with a heart of thankfulness?

If you are afraid to approach God because you know the evil in your heart… If you are ashamed and feel guilty because of your lies and your lusts… I want to invite you to read the bolded points above again. It is true. Jesus changes everything. He has transformed my life and the lives of billions of people.

I’ve got good news! You can be saved (rescued, delivered) right now by grace (undeserved favor, one-way love) through faith (believing, trusting) in Jesus. Talk with God like you would a loving father and thank him for Jesus.