For those interested in attaining unto the resurrection and eternal life:
There are three reasons I write this letter:
There are three reasons I write this letter:
(1) I'm sure you, at some time in your life, may have heard the phrase, "The Gospel of Christ". The Bible says that this Gospel, which means "good news", is a mystery. Mystery means something unknown that God is now making known to people He cares about. This letter is to give explanation to this mystery which is about the person of Jesus.
(2) You may have prayed, at times in your life, the "Our Father" or "Lord's Prayer". One line of the prayer says, "Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven". I write because this Gospel, or good news, tells us how it is possible for us to enter God's Kingdom. This is important for all of us to understand. Why? Because Jesus said, "Few will enter the Kingdom". (Matthew 7:13-14) I want to be one of the few. How about you?
(3) Finally, because this message is not completely shared in every one of our church meetings, this letter is one way to make the good news available so people don't miss out.
In talking to people about their spiritual journeys, I have discovered that many do not understand the Bible's clear teaching concerning this wonderful good news. Some may believe that God loves everybody and that everybody goes to heaven, at least eventually. Or, they may believe that if they live a good life to the best of their ability, they earn this honor and God will admit them into His eternal Kingdom. Or, they may believe a certain rite, such as baptism, gives them an automatic ticket to celestial joy and peace. But Jesus said, "I am the Way". (John 14:6) He is the only way. What did He mean?
Before we can truly appreciate how Jesus is the way, we need to understand what God says about why we must be saved. Since Jesus is presented in the Bible as a Savior, there must be something we need to be saved from. What is it?
Before we can truly appreciate how Jesus is the way, we need to understand what God says about why we must be saved. Since Jesus is presented in the Bible as a Savior, there must be something we need to be saved from. What is it?
According to the Bible, we all have a "disease", kind of like a cancer, that destroys our lives. The Bible calls this "disease" sin and, because of it, we face the judgment and wrath of God. It is right and just for God to sentence us to death for the wrongs we have done, just like it is right for a judge to sentence a robber, even though his good deeds may be lots more than his robber deeds. But, God is also loving in such a way that He does not want anyone to die and be separated from Him. So, God has provided a way for us to be saved from the coming judgment. (Acts 17:30-31)
The way God rescues us is to come into our world Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, and suffer our judgment and punishment for us. (Isaiah 53:5-6) When God's Son was crucified for us on a cross, He was taking God's punishment for our wrongs. God was condemning Him for the wrongs we did. He was suffering my death instead of me having to do it. What a great act of love He did for you and for me. The healing of our "disease" of sin is now provided. God's justice has been satisfied in Christ Jesus. We were under a curse, but He was cursed in our place. (Galatians 3:15)
But, just as we must receive a cure for our earthly diseases, by receiving the right medicines, so we must receive God's forgiveness in order for His cure to work in us. How do we do that?
The Bible says that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. I must become humble to admit my wrongs and my going in my own direction away from God. I must realize my need for a Savior. I must be willing to give up my waywardness and ask God to save me and become the new leader of my life. When I do, God promises to hear my plea and save me. (Romans 10:13) I receive His salvation and promise by faith. Do I really believe God's Son is the Savior I need?
Have I asked Him to forgive me? Do I know He has? If He says, "I love you; I forgive you; you are now my child," do I believe this is true? When I put my faith in Christ, trusting my life to Him to save me because I cannot save myself, then I have comforting peace and hope.
Faith is much more than believing something with your mind. Faith is trusting others to do as they promise. In a faith relationship with God, He will respond, imparting new life to you by His Holy Spirit. God's Spirit in you will give you a desire to learn more about the faith, and is a guarantee of resurrection to life in God's Kingdom to come. This new life will be real to you and you will find yourself having great appreciation to God for what He has done for you. You will want to follow Christ and be interested in His Word found in the Bible. One of your main purposes in life will be to become all Christ wants you to be.
What is the mystery of the Gospel of Christ? It is that He paid the penalty of death so you could be free and enjoy a life with God's people and with God forever. You may not yet be ready to take this step of faith. If not, why not? If you are already a believer, are you walking your faith and are you sure of your salvation? If not, may I suggest you read the Gospel of John in the Bible. It will help you.
God bless your journey,
Pastor Jay
P.S. I think of a famous picture of Jesus knocking on a door. The door has no handle. It must be opened from the inside to let Him in.
But, just as we must receive a cure for our earthly diseases, by receiving the right medicines, so we must receive God's forgiveness in order for His cure to work in us. How do we do that?
The Bible says that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. I must become humble to admit my wrongs and my going in my own direction away from God. I must realize my need for a Savior. I must be willing to give up my waywardness and ask God to save me and become the new leader of my life. When I do, God promises to hear my plea and save me. (Romans 10:13) I receive His salvation and promise by faith. Do I really believe God's Son is the Savior I need?
Have I asked Him to forgive me? Do I know He has? If He says, "I love you; I forgive you; you are now my child," do I believe this is true? When I put my faith in Christ, trusting my life to Him to save me because I cannot save myself, then I have comforting peace and hope.
Faith is much more than believing something with your mind. Faith is trusting others to do as they promise. In a faith relationship with God, He will respond, imparting new life to you by His Holy Spirit. God's Spirit in you will give you a desire to learn more about the faith, and is a guarantee of resurrection to life in God's Kingdom to come. This new life will be real to you and you will find yourself having great appreciation to God for what He has done for you. You will want to follow Christ and be interested in His Word found in the Bible. One of your main purposes in life will be to become all Christ wants you to be.
What is the mystery of the Gospel of Christ? It is that He paid the penalty of death so you could be free and enjoy a life with God's people and with God forever. You may not yet be ready to take this step of faith. If not, why not? If you are already a believer, are you walking your faith and are you sure of your salvation? If not, may I suggest you read the Gospel of John in the Bible. It will help you.
God bless your journey,
Pastor Jay
P.S. I think of a famous picture of Jesus knocking on a door. The door has no handle. It must be opened from the inside to let Him in.
