WHAT IS THIS “CHRISTIAN” THING ALL ABOUT?
There are so many different views and myths out there about what it truly means to follow Jesus Christ. So what then are we supposed to believe? There are four basic truths that we can offer you:
1. GOD CREATED AND IT WAS PERFECT.
In the book of Genesis, we are given an account of creation. Whether this is literal or figurative, we come away with the truth that our God created. He created a perfect world that was paradise. At the center of His creation, God made human beings – the crown of His creation! God’s plan was for humans to live in perfect harmony with Him, with each other, and with the earth. He also originally designed people to have harmony within their souls: peace, joy, and purpose. How wonderful a picture this paints for us!
2. HOWEVER, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, WE MESSED IT UP.
Trouble came to paradise. Instead of happily living in the perfect world God established, Adam and Eve decided to break the one boundary God had given them. God told them they could eat from every tree but one. He wanted them to have a choice in their obedience so they could freely choose to follow. Instead, they decided they didn’t want to follow God or submit to His rule. The rebel rebellion was not that they ate a piece of fruit, but that they turned from God. This rebellion, called sin, had immediate and lifelong dire consequences.
Our relationship with God became broken. Every part of the world changed in that moment. Suddenly, there was shame, blame, and power struggles in their relationship with each other. The earth was cursed and became difficult to work with and manage. The inner state of well-being (peace, purpose, and joy) evaporated from their souls. Sin entered the world and persists in our lives every day. We are all created in the image of God (which is perfection), yet we all are fallen and have sin embedded in our very nature.
3. GOD OFFERS US A PERFECT SOLUTION.
There is something in us that says it should be better than this, right? We believe that we should be able to fix these problems with education, money, religion, government, and morality. We try and try and still the world, our relationships, and our souls are a mess. The harder we try, the worse it gets!
The Bible tells us we can’t fix it because the root problem is inside of us. We need the solution that only God can give.
The Bible story pivots when Jesus Christ enters the world. Jesus was 100% human, and 100% God. He taught what life in God was supposed to look like and showed how to love people with wisdom, compassion, and selflessness. However, the most important thing Jesus did was to die on a cross to save us from sin. To reconcile our broken relationship with God. He suffered, and was dead for three days. Then, He rose again. He triumphed over the grave and started a new era. A world where redemption and salvation from our broken world was made possible. Our relationship with God has been restored and we can once again be in perfect harmony with our Lord!
Through Jesus’ resurrection, we know He lives with us today. He is working in and through us to bring about the peace and restoration to all things; all He asks is for us to commit our lives to Him.
Committing to Jesus involves your mind, your heart, and your will. First, there needs to be the intellectual understanding that Jesus died for your sins. Second, embrace Jesus with your whole heart: accept His love for you, and pour out His love to others. Finally, allow the Holy Spirit to work in you, to love others as yourself, and to do as Jesus asks. None of us does this perfectly, but we commit to be “all-in”. No one is perfect, but we are all forgiven! No matter what you have done, where you have been, or where you will go, Jesus offers redemption and salvation from our sin. The Bible promises us that the Father forgives our sins and separates them as far as the East is from the West. He keeps no records of wrongs but delights in the truth! We are all forgiven as we seek His forgiveness and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
4. WE ARE CALLED TO PARTNER WITH HIM IN THIS RESTORATION PROCESS.
Now that Jesus has come in to our lives and is working in us, He has called us to partner with Him in bringing restoration to others and to the whole world. We join Jesus in His mission to draw others to Himself, to bring harmony to human relationships, to help move the world back toward beauty, and to aid people in finding peace, joy, and purpose in their souls.
Now what does this all mean for you?
If you have not accepted Christ, it is as simple as a prayer. If you understand what He has done for you, if you believe you truly are forgiven and want to give your life to Him, if you are ready to turn away from your sinful ways and pursue a life of peace, joy, and purpose rooted in Christ, pray to God and ask for Jesus to come into your life. We know He is faithful, and just, and will forgive us our sins! A great example prayer is this:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name, Amen.
We don’t have to do this on our own. We have a wonderful opportunity to partner with each other and walk through life together. Do you need to talk through things with another person? Wonderful! Let us know. We would love to come alongside you and help answer any questions, concerns, and even pray with you as you begin a journey towards a life following in the footsteps of Jesus.
Now that you have accepted Christ, know that your life will not be perfect. You will not be perfect. We all fall short of the glory of God! But there will always be forgiveness found in our Lord. It’s a process as we begin to mold our lives into the image of Christ, following His teachings and words, loving the world and all those He puts in our life. Stay connected to a body, His church, and enter into a deep relationship with Him.
Any of our pastors would love to talk with you, pray with you, and even celebrate your new decision! This is just the start of the converstaion. Continue it with us.
BIBLE PASSAGES TO READ:
Creation Story – Genesis 1-3
Jesus’s life and teachings can be found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Jesus’s Death – Matthew 26-27
Jesus’ Resurrection – Matthew 28
The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20