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CHRIST
IS OUR HOPE
The message of the Bible is the story of God redeeming sinful human beings and restoring them to Himself. In essence, the Bible is God's love letter to sinful humanity. This message of redemption is often called the gospel, and the message of the gospel can be summarized in this way:
GOD IS HOLY
God is the holy Creator of all things. He is also Lawgiver and Judge and tells us how we are to live.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:3
“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” Acts 17:24-26
MAN IS SINFUL
However, man does not and cannot keep God's law. We have sinned (rebelled) against God and His laws and a guilty sentence is upon all humanity. We all bear a guilty sentence and face the consequence of eternal punishment and separation from God as a result of that guilty sentence.
“Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
CHRIST IS THE ANSWER
Thankfully, there is an answer to eternal punishment and separation from God. Christ was punished to redeem sinners to Himself. He Himself was punished in the place of sinful humans to make forgiveness and reconciliation with God possible. His resurrection three days following His death serves as a sign that God accepted the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. God is calling us to respond.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18
REPENT & BELIEVE
To receive forgiveness from God and be reconciled to Him, we must repent of our sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must reject sin and place our trust and faith in Jesus Christ to save us. Our good works will not and cannot save us. Only Christ can, and He will surely save all who call out for salvation!
“Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” Mark 1:14-15
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19
“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30
God has promised to save us when we cry out to Him. If you have not already become a follower of Jesus, talk to Him now and ask Him to forgive you of your sins and trust in Him alone to save you.
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All Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version.