Why Jesus
From the beginning of time, all that God created was good. Man enjoyed a perfect relationship with God. That is until, he decided to go his own way and disobey God. Man's disobedience created a division, a separation of this perfect relationship that God had created. Unfortunately, ever since then, man has inherited this separation from God. We want our own way, the way that seems best to us or is the best for us.
Anyway, ever since that first selfish act that said I don't need God and the resulting separation, God has been pursuing mankind and trying to fix this broken relationship. The problem is relationships are two way. God can't force us to love Him. He can only love us ... and that he has done. From that very first moment of separation, God promised us that He would provide a way to fix the relationship. Unfortunately, we are sometimes slow, stupid, and selfish. We still wanted our own way. But, God still loved us. How much does God love us? Well here's the heart wrenching part.
Our children are precious. They are more valuable than anything to us. Yet, God decided that He loved us enough to give up his own Son, Jesus. So, he sent Him to earth, to live among us, to teach us, to show us the way, to provide an example, to experience life as we experience it, and ultimately to die, a cruel death of a criminal on a cross, so that we can be forgiven of our sin, our selfishness, and our desire to go our own way. But, the story doesn’t stop there. On the third day, Jesus rose again. From the dead. He was, and is, ALIVE!
So what's the big deal? Well, for one, Jesus conquered the grave. Second, his resurrection provides the possibility of a new life for us and the opportunity for eternal life. And third, his resurrection provides the power to love God fully and to love others as ourselves. We cannot do that without Jesus and without the Holy Spirit living in us.
So, does that mean we are off the hook and reconnected into this perfect relationship with God? Well, yes and no. It isn't about being good and going to church and giving money. That won't cut it. The only way to regain this relationship with God is by putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
How amazing is it that God provides the way? But, he leaves the choice up to us. He doesn’t force us. He doesn’t make us. He just loves us.
If you want to know God personally, if you want a new start in life, if you need to be forgiven and made new, if you want eternal life, if you want this relationship with Jesus, put your faith and trust in Him. Turn from your selfish ways and ask God to forgive you and help you to love Him. Then start a whole new journey with Jesus Christ.
If you’ve put your faith and trust in Jesus, tell someone about it. You can email me at pastorjohn@boylebic.org and then join us this Sunday at our 10:30 am worship gathering.