How did we get here?

When we look out at the world we see apparent design, beauty and grandeur.

Is it all just a massive accident? Or is it the product of a supreme mind?

The Bible states that God created the heavens and the earth. He designed all things, gave us stewardship of the world and intended us to live in perfect relationship with him.

What went wrong?

Though there is still much goodness and beauty in life, there is also much chaos, evil and suffering. When we look inside ourselves, we see the same: virtue on one hand, and deep selfishness on the other.

The Bible teaches that things have gone wrong because we have failed to honour God our Creator.

Instead, we have devoted ourselves to things like money, pleasure, ambition, family and security. These are all good in their place, but when we devote ourselves to them rather than God, we are guilty of a grave moral evil, which the Bible calls sin.

As a consequence, we experience separation from God, broken relationships with each other and the breakdown of harmony in the natural world.

Why does it matter?

God is just. He cannot overlook sin.

In the same way that serious crimes must be brought to justice in our world, so we must face the consequences for our rebellion against God and his perfect law.

His justice means our eternal separation from him and all that is good. The Bible calls this the ‘second death’ or hell. This is what we justly deserve and there is nothing we can do to fix this problem.

What is the answer?

Though God cannot overlook our sin, he has a deep love for us.

In fact, so great is his love for the world that he gave his one and only Son, Jesus, to set us free from sin and its consequences.

Jesus willingly gave himself up to die in our place as a sacrifice for our rebellion against God. Through Jesus’ death, God’s justice was satisfied and his mercy overflowed to us.

Jesus rose victorious from the dead and through his resurrection new life is offered to all. Not only does Jesus transform our lives now by his Spirit, his resurrection guarantees our future resurrection to eternal life with God in a renewed world.

How can I experience it?

God’s promise is that anyone who believes in his Son Jesus freely receives these gifts. To believe in Jesus means to accept who he is, our need for God’s forgiveness and to personally trust him to save us.

Trusting Jesus involves a personal decision to rely on him, to commence new life under his loving rule, and to live our lives in community with his people.

We cannot save ourselves by our own desire or effort. We are saved by grace through faith. It is the gift of God.

No matter who you are, Jesus invites us all to him: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28–29)

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Here is a prayer you can pray

When we decide to respond to God’s free offer of salvation, there is not a particular set prayer which we must pray—it’s more about the condition of your heart and your honest response of trust in Jesus.

If you do feel you are ready to respond to God, you could use a simple prayer like this one, based on the acronym 'A B C':

Dear God,

I Admit that by myself, I am not worthy to be accepted by you. I admit that I have lived life my own way and ignored you. I need your forgiveness for the wrong things I have done. I need you to save me from my old way of life.

I Believe that you love me and that you sent your Son Jesus to save me. I believe in my heart that Jesus died for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. I believe that Jesus rose again from the dead to give me new life. Please forgive me and make me new.

I Commit myself to live with Jesus as my Saviour and my Lord.* Please give me your Spirit so that I can know you, serve you, and follow you the rest of my life.

Thank you God, I ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.

 

* Lord is another word for the ‘king’ or ‘ruler’ of our life.