Some consider Christianity a social background, a cult, an institution, but most commonly, a religion. The Biblical definition of a Christian is simply one who is a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth, called Christ (Acts 11:26). But who is Jesus? Historically, no one can deny that this man has had a more profound impact than any other. In the Bible, Jesus claimed to be the Messiah (John 4:25,26), that is, the Savior, of whom the prophets wrote hundreds of years earlier in the Old Testament beyond the manipulation of Jesus' followers in a complicated pattern of over 300 prophecies which must be fulfilled by the Messiah, virtually eliminating the possibility of an impostor. In the Bible, Jesus fulfilled each prophecy; is it chance that Jesus was born at the right place, at the right time, by the right mother, from the right ancestors, and later fulfilled hundreds of other prophecies? Impossible. Here is an example of an Old Testament prophecy and its fulfillment by Jesus in the New Testament:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
This is how the birth of Jesus came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit [...] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet... (Matthew 1:18,22,23)
Other prophecies and fulfillments:
His birthplace, Micah 5:2 / Luke 2:4,6,7
His childhood in Egypt, Hosea 11:1 / Matthew 2:14,15
His betrayal, Zechariah 11:12,13; 13:6 / Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-10
His crucifixion, Psalm 22 / Matthew 27
His resurrection, Psalm 16:9,10 / Acts 2:31
Jesus is who he claimed to be, and more. During and after his life on earth, he changed the lives of thousands of people for the better. Today he continues to change the lives of countless people who believe his message and believe in him. He is not a myth, nor is he a long dead teacher, Jesus is alive and the proof is in the lives of those who have received him.
God loves you, and wants to give you eternal life, as well as give your life meaning and joy. He said this in the Bible:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Jesus speaking: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
Without God, we can't know and experience his love and our lives are meaningless and futile.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. (Romans 3:10)
The Bible tells us that because of our sin, we're going to die (Romans 6:23). Anything that spiritually separates us from God is sin. Since God is the source of life, this should mean that in separation from him we shall die--but as the second part of Romans 6:23 tells us, there is a way to have life: through Jesus Christ. Jesus died for us in our place, he took the penalty for our sins allowing us to come into the presence of God and have eternal life, and experience God's love in our lives.
Is this our fate, to live meaninglessly, then to die? God has a plan. Jesus Christ came to earth and died on the cross for our sins, then he came back to life. If you receive Jesus Christ as Savior and the Lord of your life, then you will have eternal life and can experience God's love and you can have meaning in your life--all it takes from you is faith.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12,13)
John 1:12,13 explains what it is to be born-again. When you receive Jesus as your personal Savior you are born again--born of the Spirit. You're no longer the person you once were, but now lead a new life to please God. Jesus himself said you must be born again:
Jesus speaking: I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the Spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'you must be born again.' (John 3:6)
Jesus speaking: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Jesus speaking: Whoever believes in the Son [Jesus] has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)
You can receive Jesus as your personal Savior and as the Lord of your life right now, just ask him. Your prayer should be similar to this one: "Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I know that I need you. I believe that you paid the penalty for my sin when you died on the cross, and I now receive you as my Savior from sin and as the ruler of my life. I believe that you will give me eternal life. Thank you."
If this suggested prayer expresses what you sincerely feel, pray it now, and you will be saved.
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1John 5:11,12)
The simplicity of the gospel--that we must simply receive Jesus by faith--has been a major stumbling block to all types of people throughout the ages. Jesus said,
I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)
If you have just received Jesus, you have now started the Christian adventure. God has great things in store for your life.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2Corinthians 5:17)
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. (Romans 6:8-12)
Just as Jesus died for our sin, we are dead to sin. Just as Jesus rose again, we now have life--a life to live for Him.
If you have just received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, please let me know by sending an e-mail to: Director@letourneau.org
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2Timothy 3:16,17)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4)
The Bible is the final authority on all matters--it is the Word of God. Read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it constantly. It's the instruction manual for life, a point of reference, everything we need to base our beliefs upon. The better we know the Bible, the better our knowledge of God will be and we'll grow nearer to him.
2. Love God; Trust and Obey.
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37)
Jesus speaking: Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. (John 14:21)
Christianity is not a hobby, it's a change of mind; it's not a religion, it's a relationship with Jesus Christ. The key to living happily as a Christian is to love God--trust him in every matter, and constantly obey him.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air [Satan], the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5)
3. Live by the Spirit.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature [our evil human desires]. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:16-24)
The Holy Spirit is the Christian's guide and counselor (John 16:12-15). It is by him that we are to live--he leads us in the paths of righteousness (Romans 8:14). To be in sync with the Spirit, we must not have any unconfessed sin in our lives. The sin we confess and repent from, God will forgive. (1 John 1:9)
4. Pray to God.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:14,15)
Praying is talking with God. It is essential in living and growing as a Christian. When you come before God, do it humbly, respectfully, and lovingly. Jesus tells us why we should pray (Matt 26:41) and shows us how to pray (Matt 6:5-15).
5. Fellowship with other Christians.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit [the Holy Spirit] into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1Corinthians 12:12,13)
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)
A fire of many logs burns hotter, separate one log from the rest and it will die out. A cord of many strands is stronger, separate one from the rest and it will break easily. We need other Christians for mutual encouragement. Each Christian has a spiritual gift, we make up the body of Christ together--we belong together. In the Church, a new believer is "baptized" into the body of believers who are the body of Christ.
6. Tell others what God has done for you.
But in your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1Peter 3:15,16)
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
As Christians, it is our duty (Rom 1:14) and our pleasure to witness for Jesus--to tell those around us about God's salvation for the lost (John 3:16). Jesus commanded us in the great commission:
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
Summary
1. Read the Bible, our handbook. God reveals himself through his Word. 2. Love God, trust and obey him, it's the only way to live happily. 3. Live by the Spirit, a life pleasing to God. 4. Pray to God. We must spend time in God's presence to be like him. 5. Fellowship with other Christians, to grow and remain strong in Christ. 6. Tell others what God has done, so that they also may believe.
All this can be summarized by the following words stated by Jesus:
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-39) Cf. Galatians 5:14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13)
Approximately 2000 years ago, Jesus was born--the Son of God came to us in the flesh with the great purpose of redeeming us by dying on the cross. Jesus died and was buried, but death could not keep its hold on him; he conquered death and arose! This is proof that God has accepted his sacrifice. After giving his disciples the great commission (Matt 28:18-20), he was taken up into heaven.
After he had said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11)
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep [physically die], or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep with him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1Thessalonians 4:13-17)
Jesus' return is our hope as Christians, that when he returns he will find us watching and waiting faithfully (Matt 24:42). No one except for God the Father knows when Jesus will return (Matt 24:36), but Jesus gave us some clues in Matthew chapter 24;
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. [...] "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even from the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man [Jesus]. (Matthew 24:4-8,26,27)
See also: The Rapture Index, The study of Bible prophecy, the rapture of the Church, and current events.
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