Start with what Jesus announces

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus announces that God’s kingdom has drawn near. He invites people to turn towards God and trust the good news. Read the opening of Mark and notice what Jesus announces before anyone has a chance to prove themselves.

Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
Mark 1:14–15 · WEBOpen the full chapter at the Bible publisher.

Look at the cross and resurrection

When Paul reminds the Corinthians what he first taught them, he points to Jesus’ death for sins, burial and resurrection. These events are at the heart of the Christian claim that sin and death do not have the last word.

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:3–5 · WEBOpen the full chapter at the Bible publisher.

Grace changes why we do good

Ephesians describes salvation as a gift received through faith. It also describes good works as part of the life God prepares for us. Read the two thoughts together. The gift comes first, and the way we live can grow out of gratitude for it.

for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8–10 · WEBOpen the full chapter at the Bible publisher.