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Our Faith
Do you wish there was something more to life than just living for weekends, working a lifetime to stay ahead of bills, growing old and finally, death? Life with a purpose?
From the beginning of time, according to the Bible, life was meant to be a richly satisfying experience. The purpose of life even included friendship with God himself! In fact, God created man and woman to enjoy His friendship in a perfect world of love and trust. In the Bible we learn that God made man in His own image.
Despite a great start, there came a time when the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, chose to go against one of God's instructions to them. The consequences were immediate. Their sin-the choice to disobey God-broke their once-close friendship with Him. Even worse, sin's eventual result was physical death. And death opened the door into sin's final outcome, eternal death and separation from God forever.
As hopeless as it sounds, God had a solution. His plan: Have someone who had never done wrong take the place of everyone who had ever done wrong.
Two thousand years ago the plan went into action. Jesus Christ, God's Son became one of us. In His 33 year lifetime, He fulfilled every requirement and expectation God ever hoped for us. So His death on the cross was not the tragic end of the world's greatest teacher. Actually, in dying Jesus carried through with His desire to take the eternal death penalty for all of us. One sinless Man for all sinful men.
John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
God loves you and all of mankind. He wants to bless your life and make it full and complete. He offers you not only an abundant life here and now, but also a life that is eternal - His very own life.
Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." When we acknowledge this truth, we can see our separation from God. He is holy.
Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." To continue in sin will result in spiritual death, which is separation from God forever.
The alternative is to personally receive God's free gift, which is a pardon for sin and provision of life everlasting. Romans 5:8 says "But God commendeth His love towards us, in that, while were still sinners, Christ died for us."
You don' t need to lead a "good" life for God to love you. God loves you even in your sin.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Grace means undeserved favor. God graciously offers you what you could never do for yourself. God's gift is free. You do not, and cannot, work for a gift. All you need to do is receive it. Believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ died for you to provide deliverance from your sins and to give you eternal life.
John 1:12 says, "But as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."
When you receive Christ-when you accept what He has done for you-you become a child of God.
You can invite Jesus Christ into your life right now by praying to God something like the following:
Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness. I believe that Christ died in my place to pay for my sin and that He rose from the dead. I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my life as my Savior. Thank you for making me Your child. Help me learn to please You in every part of my life. Amen.
Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
If you have received Christ by calling upon the name of the Lord in prayer, the following took place: your sins were forgiven ( Colossians 1:14), you became a child of God (John1:12), you were made an heir to all of God's blessings (Romans 8:16,17), and you now possess everlasting life (I John :12,13)!
Now tell someone of the decision you have made. Welcome to the Family of God!