Why do you need to know about Jesus?

 

 

What exists after I die? How can I know if I'm going to Heaven? What does God want from me? These are very important questions that each person must find the answer to. Many people live out their lives thinking that if they live a good enough life, they will "make the grade", and earn admission to Heaven. Others, in their search for truth and meaning fall victim to man-made religions and destructive teachings. Even more people think it's impossible to know any of these things with any certainty, and give up looking, feeling that it may not really matter. It matters. The Bible gives us these answers.

 

You can know with certainty the answers to these questions

 

God has given us the answers to these and many other questions. He has revealed everything we need to know in the Bible. The Bible (in its original writings) is the literal word of God. Over a 1500-year period, God used human writers to convey the words He wanted mankind to have. It tells of how mankind fell from the perfect existence He created for us. It tells of God’s requirements and dealings with mankind in different ways at different points in history (known as dispensations). It also tells about God's ultimate plan to provide the means by which a fallen, corrupted mankind can be brought back into a personal relationship with Him, through what Jesus Christ accomplished through his death, burial, and resurrection.

 

How did Jesus restore mankind's relationship to God, and why is it important to understand it?

 

In order to understand the reason why what Jesus accomplished is so important, we need to look back to the very beginning of the human race. When God created Adam and Eve, they lived in a perfect state. Humanity was created to have a close relationship with God; which is what Adam and Eve had. They lived in direct fellowship with God. God gave them only one simple rule:

 

"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat, for in the day you eat of it you shall surely die"   Genesis 2:17

 

Satan tempted both Adam and Eve to disobey this commandment (Genesis 3), and in their disobedience, the door to sin was opened to mankind, forever corrupting us. This completely severed the personal relationship with God, which we were meant to enjoy. In choosing to disobey God, a wide chasm was created between man and God, which no person can hope to cross on their own.

 

Now, NO ONE, no matter how good a life they lead, can live up to God's perfection. The Bible says that:

 

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" Romans 3:10

 

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

 

A restored relationship with God and salvation from eternal punishment after this life, cannot be earned, no matter how good a life you live. But God had provided the means to accomplish this for you.

 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

 

The penalty for all of us is eternal separation from God. But Jesus (who is God) came to Earth in a human body, lived a perfect sinless life as a man, and allowed himself to be killed. Through his death, burial and resurrection, he took on the penalty on Himself for every person who has ever lived, or will live.

 

"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you recieved and in which you stand, by which also you are saved...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4

 

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more than, having now been justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 5:8-9

 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

 

We must believe that Jesus paid the penalty of sin for us, and accept this free gift.

 

"even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation {offering or sacrifice} by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in his forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:22-26

 

"For by grace are you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Once we believe and accept God's gift, we are eternally returned to a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

 

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.." Ephesians 1:13-14

 

God has given us the free will to accept or reject his gift of salvation. While Jesus paid the penalty for all of us, we must choose to accept it. Making a choice of your own will is the beginning and essence of faith.

 

The simple act of putting your faith in Jesus’ sacrifice is enough. Not faith plus good deeds. Not faith plus religious ceremonies. Faith in Christ alone. It is not even required to pray what is commonly called "The Sinner's Prayer." While a prayer is not what saves you, it good to give thanks to the Lord and to confess to Him your acceptance and understanding of the wonderful gift you have been given through faith. The prayer below is merely a guide to help you in taking your first steps in this amazing new relationship.

 

Dear Father, I've sinned against you and deserve condemnation.
I believe that Jesus died for my sins and I am forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. I believe that Jesus is God and that He wants His will done in my life. I accept the gift of eternal life by faith. I don't deserve it and cannot earn it. I desire your will for my life. Thank you, dear Lord, for this eternal gift.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, AMEN

 

by Clarence Ratliff