The Valley Chronicle - Clergy Corner: The gospel of Christng

God in his love for mankind gave his only son to die in our place

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Pastor Jesse Cuaron, senior pastor, Living Way Christian Fellowship.[/caption] ■ Jesse Cuaron / Contributed The word “gospel” literally means “good news” and occurs over 90 times in the Bible, exclusively in the New Testament. In Greek, it is the word “euaggelion,” from which we get our English words “evangelist” or “evangelical.” The gospel is the good news concerning Christ and the way of salvation. The Bible tells us that we are all sinners, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Within the scriptures of God’s Holy Bible there are three exclusive words used for sin: 1) “Iniquity,” which describes the evil intent of man’s heart; 2) “Transgression,” which is a willful act of evil behavior that is contrary to biblical living, and 3) “Sin,” which is a Greek word used in the game of archery. When an individual shot his arrow but missed his mark, they would yell “sin.” The effect of sin is so great that it destroys lives, families, marriages, etc. Scripture says, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden his face from you.” (Isaiah 59:2). This separation from God has opened a demonic influence upon all mankind, which leads to a life of wickedness, which is why our world is the way that it is. What’s the remedy? Love! Romans 5:8 says: “But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is the gospel. God in his love for mankind gave his only Son to die in our place. His death on the cross brought forgiveness for all of our sins, and it bridged the separation that sin caused! The death of Jesus on the cross brought salvation to all mankind. It saved us from death, which is eternal separation from God the Father. Romans 6:23 says: “ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The question remains, how can I receive this free gift of eternal life? John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” “Believe” in the original Greek language is “pisteuō,” which means commit to or be in alignment with. Therefore, in order to receive God’s free gift of eternal life, one must commit his life to Jesus Christ. The scriptures are clear, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

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Pastor Jesse Cuaron is senior pastor at Living Way Christian Fellowship, 144 N. Palm Ave. Hemet. Pastor Jesse gave his life to the lord on Aug.23, 1991 at Shining Light Ministries in La Puente. From there, the Lord called him to Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, where he attended one year of bible college and Calvary Chapel Golden Springs Pastoral School serving under Pastor Raul Ries. He attended Calvary Chapel’s School of Ministry in La Mirada for two years and then studied eschatology for another year. In 2005, the Lord called him to Hemet. Knowing his purpose and reason for the move, he sought the Lord continually until he was called to start a home bible study on Feb. 23, 2009.