We live in a world full of uncertainty and hardship, yet there is one thing that is certain – that God loves us. Nowhere is this love more clearly displayed than in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In order to fully comprehend God’s love for us as demonstrated through Jesus Christ, we must understand some fundamental truths about God and man. Scripture describes God as Creator, holy, and just. Because God is Creator, all of creation, including mankind, is ultimately under his authority and exists to bring Him glory. For a time, God and man lived in perfect fellowship with one another; however, Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s law and introduced sin and death into the world - completely severing their relationship with God. From that point forward mankind has been utterly corrupted by sin, unable on his own to be reconciled to a holy God. Furthermore, since God is just, he must also punish sin. Scripture teaches that the punishment for our sins is death - both physical and spiritual. We have no hope of escaping judgment and being reconciled to God based on our own merit.
Thankfully, the Bible also teaches that God is merciful, gracious, and loving! Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were the enemies of God, He initiated the reconciliation and sent His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place. Jesus Christ - fully God and fully man - was able to do what we could not. Jesus lived on earth and never sinned; he perfectly kept God’s law and was therefore undeserving of death and judgment. Yet, Jesus willingly sacrificed his life for us on the cross, bearing the full weight of God’s wrath poured out on Himself for the sins of all mankind. Jesus died so that we might live. He took the punishment so that we would not have to. Jesus did not stay dead either. He rose from the grave signifying that the power of death had been defeated and ensuring that we would one day too rise like Christ.
How then do we claim this deliverance that Christ has obtained for us? The Bible teaches that it is both a repentance of our sins and a placing of our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Salvation is the free gift from God, available to all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Would you consider the cost of this gift, and take this gift and make it your own?
We would love to hear from you if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior or if you have any further questions about how you can receive forgiveness from your sins and enter into a personal relationship with God.