What is Christianity
What is Christianity
Most people live their entire lives without ever knowing... WHY??? They exist year after year with no idea of why they live or God's purpose for their lives. The most basic question a person can as is... "What is the meaning of life?"
Why am I here?
Everyone wants to be happy. People try in many ways... possessions, pleasure, prestige, power... But look at the headlines and entertainment magazines at the famous people who have achieved all of these things. Rarely do they seem to have found "true happiness". So if fame and riches can't bring happiness, what can?
God made me to LOVE me!
As Christians, we believe we've discovered the ultimate answer to the ultimate question. It comes from understanding who God is, who Christ is, and who we are. You see, God says...
"Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be His through our union with Christ... because of His love. God had already decided that through Jesus Christ He would make us His children - this was God's pleasure and purpose" Ephesians 1:4-5
No matter what our love relationships here on Earth have been like, there is one who loves us unconditionally, and who would give the most important thing in the world to them to maintain that relationship. That one who loves us that much is GOD!
God made me to enjoy a personal relationship with me!
Years of media exposure has given us a warped image of God... from the elderly incompetent character played by George Burns in "Oh God" to the sarcastic comedy of Jim Carey in "Bruce Almighty". Some of us have the white hair, white robe image, while others because of our painful experiences with our own fathers have an image of God that causes feelings of fear or even anger. But the Bible shows us that God is a caring and loving father who wants to have a real, daily, personal relationship with us. In John 10:10 God says...
"My purpose is to give life in all its fullness..."
When we know and love God, and live in harmony with His purpose for our lives, it produces tremendous benefits!
At St. John Lutheran we're not part of the "name it and claim it" crowd... God is not Dr. Phil and the Bible is not the latest self help book. But the Bible does describe a very fulfilling existence awaits for those who follow God. Here are just a few benefits that come from a life in harmony with living God's purpose for your life:
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Clear Conscience |
Life and Peace |
Help with Weakness |
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Romans 8:1 |
Romans 8:6 |
Romans 8:26 |
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Purpose |
Confidence |
Security |
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Romans 8:28 |
Romans 8:31 |
Romans 8:39 |
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Power & Strength |
Fulfillment |
Freedom |
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Philippians 4:13 |
Philippians 4:19 |
John 8:32, 36 |
So what's the problem?
Despite all these great things God has taken care of for us, we've all at one point in our lives have decided our plan is better, and have gone our own way instead of God's way. Do any of these phrases sound familiar?
"You have to look out for #1"
"Do your own thing"
"If it feels good, do it"
"It's my life and I'll do what I please"
"I'm a self made man"
God has a word for this kind of attitude... it's called SIN. Sin breaks our relationship with God. It causes us to fear God and try to live our lives outside His will. When this happens, problems follow in every area of our lives... marriage, career, relationships, finances, everything.
When people have problems, they often try many different ways of coping... self help, "cleaning up our act", spirituality, substance abuse, sex, unhealthy relationships, or by simply excusing away our behavior. But often no matter what we try, the problems don't go away, if anything they get worse. More importantly, we feel like we are dying on the inside... like there's a big hole in our heart that nothing can fill.
So what's the solution?
Jesus Christ said "I AM THE WAY, the Truth, and the Life... no one comes to the Father, except THROUGH ME!" John 14:6.
God loves us so much that He didn't want us to live this way... hurting and separated from Him. And yet, God is righteous. He can't tolerate sin, and sin comes with a price. That price is eternal separation from Him when we die. God couldn't let that happen, so He came to Earth as a human being in the form of His son Jesus Christ to do the one thing that could bring us back into relationship with Him... and that was to take the punishment... our punishment... and die in our place. Romans 6:23 says "The wages (price, penalty) of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Another verse says "God demonstrated His love for us in this... while we were still sinners, Christ died for us". (Romans 5:8)
God did the one and only thing that could have been done for us to have a relationship with Him again after we chose to sin... and that was to send His only son who never sinned, who took our penalty for us. He took the initiative. He paid the price. That's how much he loves us!
So what do I do?
The path to an eternal relationship with God and a healed heart here on Earth is so simple!
1. We have to ADMIT that God has not been first in our lives, that we have done wrong, and ask God to forgive us.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from every wrong" 1 John 1:9
2. We have to BELIEVE that Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin, that he rose from the dead after3 days, and is alive today.
"If you confess that Jesus is your Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
3. We have to ACCEPT God's free gift of salvation, and not try to earn it!
"For by grace you are saved through faith, not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
4. We have to ASK Jesus to come into our life and take control... to give our lives completely to him!
"To all who receive Him, He gives the right to becoem children of God. All we need to do is to trust him to save us. All those who believe this are reborn! Not a physical birth.. but from the will of God!" John 1:12-13
YOU CAN TAKE THESE STEPS BY PRAYING A SIMPLE PRAYER OF COMMITMENT TO GOD:
"Jesus, thanks for making me and loving me. Even when I ignored you and did my own thing, you were there waiting for me. I realize I need you in my life and I'm sorry for doing so many things that are wrong. Please forgive me. Thank you for what you did for me, for dying for me and taking my punishment. Please help me grow and know more about what you did and what you want me to do with my life. I want to follow you from now on, no matter what. Please be a part of my life and make me a new person from the inside out. I accept this gift of salvation that you paid such a big price for. Now help me to understand what it means to have a relationship with you and help me grow as a Christian."
"Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
If you just prayed this prayer, congratulations and welcome to the family of God!! We want to celebrate with you!! Contact EBC by phone, by email, or in person and we'll be glad to help you understand your decision and start growing in the new life you have chosen! Don't be surprised if you get a few hugs and some high fives along the way... the Bible says heaven rejoices over a single person accepting Christ, and well, we kinda like celebrating too!!
