Rebel or Rescuer? Liar or Lord? Man or God? Just who is Jesus?
God loves you!
God created us and wants to have a relationship with us.
"So God created mankind in his own image..." - Genesis 1:27
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3:16-17
The problem
However we rebelled against God by sinning. Sin includes the bad thoughts and things we have done. And our sins separate us from God.
"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." - Isaiah 59:1-2
The futile solution
Most of us are aware of this distance between us and God. We know that there's something missing that ought to be there. Something broken. Life feels empty, and at times lonely.
We fill our lives with schedules and things. And unknowingly in our own way we try to reach God by doing good, living a good life, or even going to church. But we can never get back to God that way.
The result of sin
We know it's hard to hear, but the sins we have committed warrants punishment. It leads to physical and spiritual death. This is why reaching God through trying our best simply won't work.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23
"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." - Romans 3:23
"Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins." - Ecclesiastes 7:20
The Good News
The good news is that God searched for us. And He did for us something we could never do ourselves. God built a bridge for us to reach Him by sending Jesus Christ to take the penalty of death for us. Jesus, though blameless, died on the cross for you and me. This is why we say, "God loves you"... He really does.
"He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God." Romans 4:25; "Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit." - 1 Peter 3:18
Our response
But it isn't enough for us just to know this fact. If we want our relationship with God restored, we must want God's forgiveness and leadership in our lives. We must "cross" the bridge to the other side by admitting that we have sinned against God and ask for His forgiveness. We must also ask Him to be the leader of our lives.
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." - 1 John 1:9
"We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are." - Romans 3:22.
Eternal life
When we do that, we have "crossed" the bridge; our relationship with God is restored! We will experience eternal life with God in heaven.
"Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." - John 5:24
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." - John 10:28
Pray to receive Jesus
If you would like to enter into a relationship with God, pray this prayer with us --
Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for me. I am sorry that I have sinned against You. I now turn away from all my sins. Please forgive me of all my sins and be my God and the Leader of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
We would love to help you grow in your relationship with God. Please email us, we would love to hear from you!
Reflect & Respond
How do you feel knowing that God loves you, regardless of the good and the bad that you have done? What is your response knowing Jesus loves you so much He was willing to suffer and die for you, just so you can have a relationship with Him?
How do you feel knowing that God has provided a way out for all our wrongdoings?
Since there is nothing to lose and everything to gain, what is stopping you from receiving this gift of love and eternal life?