We don't fear or condemn doubt -- we celebrate doubt!

A Christian is one who has believed the good news of Jesus Christ and has placed their trust in Him as their forgiver and leader.

 

That statement requires some back ground information. 

 

Most people live their lives without ever knowing the answer to the question, Why?  They exist year after year with no idea of why they live, or what God's purpose is for their lives.  The most basic question a person can ever ask is...

 

 

Everyone wants to be happy.  And people try many ways to achieve it:

  - some look for happiness by acquiring possessions
      We brought nothing into the world, and can take nothing out
      1 Tim.  6:7

  - some look for happiness by experiencing pleasure
      The pleasure of sin lasts for a short time.
      Heb. 11:25

  - some look for happiness by gaining prestige and power
      Many people who seem to be important now will be the least important then in eternity
      Mark 10:31

 

True happiness is found in discovering our purpose in life.  The Bible presents a world view that helps us understand our place in the universe.  A correct perception of God and an honest assessment of humanity are essential to understanding the purpose for which we were created and the good news that Jesus came to share.  Let's take a look at what the Bible teaches about God, humanity, Jesus, and us.

1. GOD
God is loving (1 John 4:16).  Most people already recognize this about God, but understanding him as a loving Grandfather who says, “Boys will be boys,” is incomplete.

 

God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).  This means that God is absolutely pure.  In fact he is so pure that his holiness exposes and rejects anything that is less than perfectly pure.
 
God is Just (2 Thessalonians 1:6).  God's justice must deal with rebellion because a good judge doesn't let lawbreakers off the hook.

 

2. HUMANITY
We were created good but became sinful (Romans 3:23).  When people were created we lived in a perfect friendship with God.  But just as Adam and Eve rebelled (Genesis 3), we too continue to rebel against God and his plan for our best.

 

We deserve death (Romans 6:23).  The debt we owe God must be paid and the payment is death.  Not just physical death, but spiritual death which is separation from God and everything good for eternity.

 

We are spiritually helpless (Isaiah 64:6).  The funds in our moral bank account are totally inadequate to pay the debt we have incurred.

 

3. CHRIST
Jesus Christ is God who also became human (John 1:1, 14).  Jesus is totally God and totally human.  The creator became human to provides the opportunity for forgiveness and a new relationship with him.

 

Jesus died as our substitute (1 Peter 2:24).  The debt that we owed God, he paid himself with his death on the cross.  Because he wanted to forgive us he got stuck holding the bill.

 

Jesus offers us his forgiveness as a gift (Ephesians 2:8, 9).  God will exchange our rebellion, guilt and death sentence for his perfect live and resurrection.  It's a gift waiting to be opened.

 

4. YOU
You and I must respond (John 1:12).  Each of us decides individually if we will spend eternity as God's child and friend.  It is not enough to understand the prescription, we must take it.  The natural thing to do with a gift is to receive it.

 

Ask Jesus to be your forgiver (1 John 1:9) and leader (1 Peter 3:15).  As our forgiver, Jesus takes away our death sentence and gives us eternal life with him.  As our leader, Jesus has control of our life.

 

God will transform you (2 Corinthians 5:17 ).  When we respond to Christ by asking him to be our leader and forgiver, a spiritual transformation takes place.  God gives us a new heart and the Holy Spirit comes to live in us to guide us and empower us for right living.