hits since Sept. 7, 2005
This page deals with the most important issue of all of life; in fact, it's a matter of eternal life or death! It's what life's all about! Hey, we all want to live life to the fullest, but something keeps holding us back.
What's the problem?
Well, just look around you. Something is wrong with this world! Life is full of imperfection. Everything from stubbed toes, pot holes and lost keys to abortion, war and acid rain shows us that something has gone wrong. This is not the way it's supposed to be. Call it sin, selfishness, or anything else you want: we have brought the problem on ourselves. The Bible gives us an explanation: "Sin entered the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned." (Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 5, verse 13). That old fruit in the garden, taken in direct disobedience to God's word, which had brought about the creation of the world in the first place, brought about the punishment that we all now suffer.(You can read all about it in the book of Genesis, chapters 1 through 3).
That's what is keeping us from living life to the fullest.
To put it another way, the human being was created with something special: call it a soul, a spirit, or whatever you want to call it. We are sentient beings. It involves an intellectual mind, feelings, and so forth. And that is what is always pushing people to answer the two big questions: where did we come from? and, where are we going? The amazing thing, is that the answers are in the Bible, and have been for thousands of years. Why not take a look?
What's the good news?
There's hope! In spite of all the problems of this world, there is a solution. God himself, who made the world and everything in it, has provided the hope out of pure love. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."(Romans 5:8) This is good news, since "if by the trespass of one man, death reigned thought that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness, reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!" (Romans 5:17) This is just one way we find the Good News explained in the Bible. There are plenty of other example. Here's another. Jesus told this story:
"There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no-one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired men....' But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
(Luke 15:11-24)
How do I get in on it?
God's plan is that we live life to the fullest. That's why he created us. And in spite of the problems that keep us from doing that, many of which are of our our doing, God is still carrying out his plan. But the wrongs have to be made right. And God is taking care of that, too!
"But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that comes by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:21-24). Paul goes on to repeat twice that this redemption comes through faith in Jesus(vs. 25 & 26). That's how you can get in on it. Believe in Jesus Christ completely for your salvation. Grab ahold of that promise, in total trust and confidence. That's how simple it is! It's like receiving a gift - (in fact, it is a gift, according to the passage above from Romans where it say FREELY; also see Romans 6:23, John 5:21, and many other Bible passages) you just have to reach out and take it! Of course, to reach out and take a gift that is being offered to you, you should first have been convinced that it really is a gift, it really is something good, it really is for you, it really is available, and so it. All those things involved trust, faith, confidence and belief. That is why this salvation is so amazing: it is there for all who believe, to simply reach out and take. You will never really know until you do reach out in faith (that's why it involves faith: you do not have all the proof, you haven't seen it yet, but you still believe).
Now, what is the result of that faith? You can pretty much boil it down to two things:
1. That forgiveness that we all need for the things we have done wrong(that takes care of the past).
2. A new life that starts now and lasts forever(that takes care of the future)!
Take a look at this cool website that goes through the whole thing step by step: XEE
The basics:
1. We believe in one true God, our Father, who is the sovereign creator of everything. He has chosen to reveal himself most clearly though the Bible. When you realize that there is a God out there, and he is really in control, and he really cares, It's huge!
2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God, who came to the world and lived a perfect life and taught about his Kingdom. He then offered himself as the sacrifice lamb, to take away the sins of the world. He died, then rose from the dead. He ascended to heaven, where he reigns as Lord of all. He will return to judge and to finally establish the Kingdom.
4. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He can be called, "God in Action". He effects God's will, particularly in the area of salvation.
3. Mankind has been in a fallen state since Adam & Eve's first sin, because of which all people are born with a sinful nature, as well as continually living enslaved to that sinful nature; and therefore, are spiritually dead.
4. Salvation is only by God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation causes among other things a change of life, a progressive process of becoming more like Christ.
5. Those who are truely saved are part of the true universal church, Christ's body here on earth. We represent, obey and serve God, being used by him to bring about the extension of his Kingdom (God's rule), and the transformation of the earth in preparation for the final coming of his Kingdom. We already have Eternal Life, and even though we die in the flesh, we have in store a glorious existence in eternity.
6. Those who are not saved have eternal punishment in hell in store. The fallen angels, Satan and the demons, are opposed to God's rule and fight against it, trying to get humans to join them. But they also will suffer for their rebellion in hell.
7. The Bible is God's holy, inerrant word, the final authority and the only rule for faith and life.
(This is a brief and perhaps inadequate summary of Christian doctrine. There are other sources listed below.)
Going farther:
"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)
I hope to provide a list of other websites that can give direction in continuing the walk of faith. Elements of this walk are personal spiritual growth, including intellectual growth, sanctification, and increased faith; service to God, including praising God, serving within the people of God, and outreach to those who are yet beyond his grace. Here are a few:
http://unveilinglory.gospelcom.net/
http://www.alliancenet.org/
The most important way to do this is through involvement in a local church. That opens doors to all the rest of aspects of Christian growth. One must be cautious of course to find a church that will actually provide those opportunities, not one that will give rise to conflicts, doubts, or
stagnation.
Last Updated on June 10, 2008 by Stephen & Sandra Brauning
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