|
|
"The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
|
|
|
|
How do I learn more about Jesus and Christianity?
Despite the media spin and maybe even your past experience with Christianity, the ‘real thing’ is far different. A genuine, biblical Christianity is unlike all other religions; it isn’t primarily about moral behavior or pure doctrine or ‘finding yourself.’ Instead, at its heart is an astounding announcement from God to humanity. The word "Gospel” literally means “good news,” and it is this news that lies at the heart of the Christian faith.
The gospel tells us that God has acted through the person and work of Jesus Christ to save us from our sins and remove the barrier that exists between God and ourselves. Here’s a summary of why the Gospel is such good news to the world:
1. Who is God?
The Bible teaches us that He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things; He started everything and he keeps everything going. His infinitely complex character includes the attributes of holiness and love. As a holy God who is perfect in every way, He cannot approve of evil, but as a loving God, He cares deeply for His creation and displays astounding grace and forgiveness.
2. Who am I?
We know from the Bible and by experience that no man or woman is perfect. To some degree, we all tend to reject God and to live independently from Him. We attempt to find satisfaction in life apart from God by pursuing money, fame, and relationships when the reality is that we were created to enjoy riches and spiritual ‘fame’ and the most intimate of relationship in communion with our Creator. Anything less is a cheap imitation. We scoff at God’s guidelines for life, seeing them as restrictive when, in fact, they are ultimately freeing. And even our good deeds are tainted by selfish motives, ambition, and image-management. According to God’s standard of holiness, we would all have to plead “guilty,” and this guilt drives a sharp wedge between God and us.
3. So what’s the Good News?
Although God is perfectly just, and the sentence for our guilt is death – physical and spiritual death – God does not give up on us. Even though our best deeds cannot meet God's holy standards, thankfully God has provided a way for us to be declared ‘innocent’ before Him. God's own son, Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life, took upon Himself God's judgment upon sinners and on the cross of Calvary was condemned as guilty in our place, so that we could be pardoned. He also offers to us, simply by trusting in Him, His perfect record, so that we can stand before God as righteous!
4. How can we receive these blessings?
The Bible says that "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Through faith in Jesus, the barrier between you and God is removed forever!
"If I believe in Jesus, will all my troubles go away?" No… troubles are a part of this life on earth, but God’s promise is that He will be with you in those troubles and that His words will guide you. You will have a new life, a new family (the church), a new purpose, and a new hope.
If you’d like more information, or spiritual counsel about this Good News, please let us know here at Grace Redeemer. [Click Here] We would be happy to speak with you personally and/or send you some free resources.
|
|
|
|
|
