L.O.V.E.D. – A Gospel Presentation

Marlon Furtado

Everyone in this world wants to be loved. Each of us needs a friend with whom we can share the joys of the good times and the hurts of the bad times. This blog is about having that kind of friendship with God. The message of the Bible can be condensed to the phrase, “You Are LOVED”. Using LOVED as an acrostic, we’ll discover how people can enjoy a deep friendship with God.

L = Loved by God

Most people feel that God does not like them very much. The Bible reveals that God created you to have a close relationship with God. His heart overflows with an unquenchable love for you and He wants you to experience this love for yourself.

God loves you, but He doesn’t approve of everything you do.

O = Offended God

All of us “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). The result of sin is separation from God.

Our sin is a serious matter. The Bible warns us that “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

God’s judgment will be based on His standard of righteousness. He doesn’t grade on the curve. His verdict will be, “Guilty of sin!” The sentence will be eternal separation from Him in Hell. There will be no appeal. There will be no second chance.

V = Voluntary Substitute

Jesus left Heaven to willingly suffer the judgment our sins deserved. “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous [Jesus] for the unrighteous [us], to bring you to God.” (1 Peter 3:18). Therefore, you can be completely forgiven.

Jesus further demonstrated His ability to rescue us in a dramatic display of power when He was resurrected three days later. Christianity, unlike all the religions of the world, celebrates an empty grave.

E = Eternal Life Is a Gift

The Bible speaks of an important contrast. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). It’s an oxymoron to say that one earns a gift.

The Bible says that “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” Heaven isn’t a reward that God gives for good deeds. Heaven is a gift.

D = Decide Now

To take possession of the gift of eternal life, the Bible gives the following two steps: repent of your sins and receive Jesus into your life.

To repent is to turn around and change directions. When driving, we make a U-turn once we realize we are going the wrong way. You need to admit, “God, I have been going my own way, doing what I’ve wanted. I want to change. I want to turn around and go Your way.”

To receive Jesus is to ask Him to live inside you and to sit in the driver’s seat for the rest of your life. Here is a sample prayer to receive Him: “God, thank You for loving me. I admit that I’ve sinned and gone my own way. Thank You, Jesus, for dying for my sins. Jesus, please come into my life right now and be in charge for the rest of my life.”

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