Jesus The Christ

Jesus said of Himself in John 14: 6 that He is "the way, and the truth,  and the life.  No one comes to the Father," Jesus said, "except through  Me."  We come to Jesus one way and one way only.  That way is FAITH.   Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For it is by grace that you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves.  It is the gift of God, not of  works, lest anyone should boast."

In the beginning, God created everything that exists.  He created people for the purpose and with the capacity for perfect fellowship with Him.   The first people, Adam and Eve, were placed in a perfect place called the Garden of Eden.  However, soon, because of Adam and Eve's decision to choose their own way over God's way, sin entered the world.   Everything changed on that day when Adam and Eve rebelled against God's command not to partake from the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of  Good and Evil.  Perfection was lost.  Humanity was separated from the God we were created to have unbroken fellowship with.  The death sentence was passed upon humanity as the consequence of sin, not just physical death, but eternal separation from God in a terrible place of punishment the Bible calls Hell.  God is holy and just and cannot tolerate sin.

The Bible, however, also tells us that God is love.  That's where Jesus enters this picture.  Not that Jesus has a beginning.  He is one with  God the Father and exists eternally with the Father.  According to  Scripture, it was God's eternal plan for Jesus to leave His glory in  Heaven and come to this earth to make the way of salvation for sinful humanity.  He did that by being born as a baby in Bethlehem and then living a sinless life.  Ultimately, Jesus laid down His life and was crucified upon a Roman cross to take the wrath and punishment of God for our sins.  On the third day, Jesus rose again to assure all who trust  Him as Savior a right standing and relationship with God.  Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended back into Heaven to take His rightful place at the right hand of God the Father.  The Scriptures teach that one day, Jesus will return to earth to establish His kingdom, but not before taking those who have trusted Him as Savior to be with Him in glory.

To be made whole, or to be saved, is to submit to God and His plan and purpose for our lives. It is a turning from our old ways and turning to Jesus, to ask Him for forgiveness from our sins and to give us new life in Him. Romans 10:9 says: “If you declare with your mouth that Jesus is  Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you  will be saved.”

Salvation is God’s gift to us, and we become His children. It is an irrevocable acceptance into the family of God, and it is an empowerment to live a life wholly and fully to reflect God to the rest of His creation.

If you are unsure whether you are right with God or know that you need Jesus in your life, you can choose to follow Him right now by praying a prayer of surrender to Jesus.

SAY THIS PRAYER
Dear Jesus, I’m praying this prayer because I know that I  have done wrong by living without You. I am sorry, and I trust that You will forgive me. I accept Your love and grace for me and ask that You would be my Lord. Help me believe in You and love You every day, and help me to show the world what You are like and how great Your love is.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Congratulations! To pray these words with a surrendered heart to  Jesus is the beginning of the most important voyage you will ever embark on: the journey to follow Jesus.

Please let us know if you’ve just made a commitment to Jesus and prayed this prayer or if you have questions about Jesus or how to become one of His followers, we'd love to hear from you!  Contact us today!