God’s Purpose: His Glory
God created mankind in His own image to have dominion over the Earth in peace, love, and righteousness. Man’s purpose is to glorify God and submit to Him as King. Man, however, rebelled against His Creator by violating His Law. This is called sin. Sin brought war, hatred, and judgment. Do you ever wonder why there are so many problems in the world? Now you know.
The Problem: Our Sin
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. By violating His perfect law, we become law-breakers or sinners. Because God is righteous, He will judge all sinners and cast them into the lake of fire.
The Bible says…
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
Our Attempts to Reach God
People have tried in many ways to reconcile themeselves to God… The Bible says… There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear (Isaiah 59:2). No matter how hard we try, we still come up short. Our sins cast a long shaddow over any attempt to please God on our own.
No bridge reaches God…except one.
God’s Bridge: The Cross
Jesus Christ reconciles men to God because He is God in the flesh, the God-man. Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. On the cross, Jesus bore the wrath of God. He became the substitute for sinners – He received God’s judgment so sinners can escape the wrath to come. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.
The Bible says…
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:18). But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
Our Response: Repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus
We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.
The Bible says…
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20).
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12).
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).
Where are you?
Will you repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ right now?
Here is how you can receive Christ:
Admit your need (I am a sinner).
Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
God’s Assurance: His Word
If you repent and put your faith in Jesus, The Bible says…
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8,9). Receiving Christ, we are born into God’s family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. This is called regeneration, or the new birth. This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should: Read your Bible everyday to know Christ better.
Talk to God in prayer every day.
Tell others about Christ.
Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
As Christ’s representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.
