Jesus

The Bible teaches that Jesus is an historical man who came into our world as God's Son, to rescue us from sin and its consequences. He now rules the universe as the loving Lord of all.

Almost from the beginning of the world, people have been separated from God by sin. Sin is humanity's decision to turn against God's plan for our lives. Sin leads to a great gulf between people and God.

"...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

Also from the beginning of creation, God showed that there are consequences for sin, including physical death and His judgment afterwards.

"...it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)

Since we live our lives separated from God, we now find ourselves lost and without hope or God in the world.

"We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way..." (Isaiah 53:6)

But the Bible teaches that Jesus came as the perfect man, to live the life we could not live, and die the death we deserved to die. So it's in Jesus that God does what is necessary to bring lost people back to Him.

Jesus said of Himself that he came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He does this through living perfectly, dying and rising again in our place.

"For Christ also suffered for sins once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
that He might bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18)

In light of Jesus, we face a choice. We can continue to turn from God, and trust ourselves, which means we will meet God as the judge of the world. Or we can come back to Jesus, have our sins forgiven, and know God now and into eternity, as the loving father.

Jesus once told a story to illustrate what it means for a lost person to be rescued by Him.

“What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbours together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance." (Luke 15:4-7)

If you are ready to trust Jesus and live your life with Him as Lord, you can do so by praying this prayer.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you that you have created me and have offered me forgiveness through your Son.
I admit that I have turned from your good plan for me and lived life my own way.
I turn to you today and trust your Son Jesus as the only one who can remove my sin.
Please forgive me, and change me to follow Jesus with my life.
Help me to learn to live for you, with the help of your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

If what we've shared here doesn't make sense, you may like to read one of the biographies of Jesus life, such as Mark's gospel (found in the New Testament). You could do that by yourself. But we'd also love to read it with you! If you'd like to join us, please click the link for our Life Series below.