Knowing God
Finding, Accepting, and Following Jesus Christ.
The True Story of the Gospel ("good news")
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are eyewitness accounts of history that have stood the test of time and made a difference to billions of lives around the world. Have you ever wondered why you are here on earth? Have you ever had a sense that you were made for more? Have you ever been amazed by the beauty of this world or the wonder of love, while at the same time also being shocked and discouraged by the hatred and evil around you?
There is a reason you feel this way. The answers will be found below on just 6 basic truths. Consider these 6 truths; your 1 response will change everything.
You were designed for good
God created the world, and that includes you—and He declared everything He made to be good! In fact, He says you are “very good” because you come from Him!
In the beginning God and the first humans were connected. Their connection to God gave them meaning and purpose. In fact, you have a purpose. To be united with God in His world for His purpose.
That longing you have inside yourself for the world to “be right”? Here one moment and gone the next—don’t be confused, that sense of longing comes from God.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. … And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”— Genesis 1:27, 31
But something is wrong and broken
We know that something is wrong! What is it? Without God, we choose to live for ourselves. You might think of it as walking away from God.
And it is personal. We do it. Me and you, we walk away from God.
The Bible calls that SIN. Ask yourself, “Do I do things I know are wrong?” If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit we rebel, we sin.
When we sin, we break our relationship with God. And everything that was meant for good gets broken.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”— Romans 3:23
We cannot fix what we have broken
Many ask if we can fix this problem. Great question! We cannot. Many have tried. Many try to build a bridge to God.
Have you ever tried? We know that errors, mistakes, sin — require payment, require justice to put things “right”. Even if we could make the payment, then we would still have to live perfectly, never sinning again.
Tried to live perfectly? It’s impossible.
The problem is BIGGER than you may realize.
Sin separates us from God forever. The end of sin is death.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”— Ephesians 2:8–9
God has made a way
What you and I cannot do, God has done. Because God loves you, He has made a way for you to be united to Him.
God the Son, Jesus, by coming to earth to die on the cross for you, paid the price for your sin. Jesus became the way between God the Father and you. Jesus Christ is the only way for us to reach the Father (John 14:6).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”— John 3:16
God invites you back to Him
God’s Word says you can:
- Become part of God’s family, Jn 1:12
- Be with God & others for eternity, Jn 5:24
- Live today with passion and purpose: How?
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”— John 1:12
Being with God gives you purpose
God’s Word says your life can:
- Be filled with meaning & purpose, Jn 10:10
- Have Jesus always be with you, Jn 14:18
- Produce work that gives joy, Jn 15:5.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. … I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”— John 10:10; John 15:5
The question is how can you come to God?
By saying yes to His invitation!
- Admit that you need God and turn away from sin (see John 8:11).
- Believe (have faith) that when Jesus died on the cross He took the punishment for all your sin, and He rose to life again to conquer death (see John 1:29).
- Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior by praying to Him.
PRAY THIS SIMPLE PRAYER
“Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me how much I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for me. I believe that You are who You say You are and that You rose from the dead to conquer sin and death. Please forgive all my failures and sins. Make me clean and help me start fresh with You. I now receive You into my life as my Lord and Savior. Help me to love and serve You with all my heart. Amen.”
Jesus said: “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” John 6:37