Eternity Is Now Sample

If you’ve been around church for any length of time, you’ve probably heard the word gospel used.  What is the gospel? It usually sounds something like this: Jesus died for your sins and, if you ask Him to forgive you, you can go to heaven when you die. 

But, is that it?

While that is part of the gospel, it leaves out current life untouched. The gospel isn’t just for when you die. It's for today.  Jesus announced, "the Kingdom of God is near." Think about that. Here Jesus is, amid the Roman Empire declaring that a new kingdom has arrived. There’s a new king in town. This was a radical statement.

Jesus' gospel is the good news that Jesus is king.

According to Jesus, what is our response to this gospel? Repent and believe. What does Jesus mean by this? To repent means to change your mind or allegiance. It’s a decision you make which says, “I’m not most important, God is most important.” To repent is to believe that Jesus is king. To believe means to put your trust in something. To believe in Jesus is to trust Jesus. If you trust Jesus, you’re willing to do what He says. It’s to live like Jesus is king.

When you don’t live like Jesus is King, you’re short-changing yourself. You are missing out on a quality of life that is available to you right here, right now; the life that Jesus refers to as the “rich and satisfying life” or “eternal life.” The Kingdom of God is here. It’s yours for the taking if you’ll make the decision to put God first and place your trust in Jesus.

Have you put your trust in Jesus? Are you willing to live like Jesus is king?