Meet Jesus
The Bible communicates an epic and true story stretching from creation to new creation. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the central Person in that story, and how our lives play out in the story directly depends on our response to Him. We can understand the story of the Bible in four acts: Creation, Fall, Redemption, New Creation.
CREATION
Genesis 1–2 depicts how God created all things. Human beings are the high point of God's creation, and are the only creatures made in God's image. These opening chapters of the Bible show us God's original intention for His creation. God intends to rule the world through men and women made in His image and to dwell with them in an unending relationship of mutual love. At this point in the story all things were as they should be. The man and woman were at peace with one another, at peace with creation, and at peace with God. Then the story took a tragic turn.
FALL
Genesis 3 describes human rebellion against God and its consequences. God had created the man and woman and placed them in a beautiful orchard that was special because it was the place of God’s presence. God told the man that he could freely eat from all the trees in the orchard except one tree called the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." God warned that the consequence for eating from that tree was death—separation from the life-giving presence of God (Genesis 2:16–17).
In Genesis 3, a mysterious creature, a serpent, fed the woman a lie about God. He told her that God was withholding good things from her and her husband, and that if they ate from the forbidden tree, they would become like God and be able to fulfill all their desires. Tragically, the woman believed that lie, and she and her husband, who was standing by, ate from the tree in rebellion against God.
The Bible calls that rebellion "sin," and it has terrible consequences. Sin brought death and corruption into God's good world. Sin brought a curse on God's creation, which is why we see so much devastation in the natural world. Sin brought hostility and distrust into human relationships, which is why we see people at odds with one another. Worst of all, because of our sin, human beings are guilty before God, separated from His life, and destined to die (Romans 3:23; 6:23). At this point in the story things look bleak, but the story is far from over.
REDEMPTION
Genesis 3 to Revelation 20 tells the long and complex story of all that God has done, is doing, and will do to provide redemption for fallen human beings and all creation. God's plan of redemption centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ. In Genesis 3:15 God promised to one day send a human being who would reverse the curse brought about by human rebellion. As the story of the Bible unfolds, we learn that this person will come through the family line of Abraham, then through his son Isaac, then through his son Jacob, then through his son Judah, then through his descendant David. This person would be the One through whom God would bless all the world!
When Jesus was born, the New Testament is careful to show that He was in fact a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David. But Jesus was so much more–He was also God in the flesh! Jesus grew up and lived a sinless life. He performed numerous miracles to demonstrate that He had come from God. And He revealed to people the salvation that God was offering through Him. At the heart of Jesus' message was His promise that whoever believes in Him as Savior and Son of God has eternal life and will never be separated from God. Jesus said it this way:
"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)
Eternal life means having a restored relationship with God that lasts forever. The reason we can receive eternal life by believing in Jesus is because of what Jesus went on to do. Though Jesus performed miracles and offered people salvation, the people chose to execute Him on a Roman cross as a criminal. This, however, was all part of God's plan, for Jesus always intended to die so that He could pay the penalty for our sin.
Because it was human beings who rebelled against God, human beings deserve death and separation from God. That is the debt we owe to God. But because God loves us and wants to restore us to Himself, He sent His Son Jesus to become a human being so that He could pay the debt we owe to God (Romans 5:8). When Jesus, who is the perfect payment for sin, died on the cross, the penalty of sin was paid in full. But Jesus not only died for our sins. He also rose from the dead, making clear to all that He is the sinless Son of God who has conquered death once and for all (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
The work of Jesus Christ makes it possible for fallen people to be forgiven and to receive eternal life.
NEW CREATION
Having completed His mission to pay for the sins of the world, the resurrected Jesus ascended to God the Father in heaven, promising to return one day to complete God's plan to redeem all creation. Revelation 21–22 picture this renewed creation. One day Jesus will return and will raise up all people from the dead and will bring all of creation to what God intended it to be. In this new creation death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore (Revelation 21:4). Those who believed in Jesus will be raised up to live with God forever on a restored world free from the corruption of sin and death (John 6:40). Those who rejected Jesus will be raised up and condemned to an eternity apart from God (Revelation 20:11–15).
GOD’S OFFER
TO YOU
Whether you realize it or not, you are caught up in this big story. The only question is how you will respond to Jesus. God sent Jesus into the world to provide salvation for us all. Through His death for sin and resurrection from the dead, Jesus has done everything necessary for you to be forgiven and live forever with God. All He requires of you is that you believe in Him alone as the one and only Savior. Jesus said,
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
Apart from Jesus there is no salvation. But as Jesus promised in John 3:16, everyone who believes in Him has eternal life and will never perish. A later follower of Jesus named Paul described that same truth this way:
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)
Salvation is not something we can earn from God with good behavior. God does not forgive us and give us eternal life because He's impressed by what we do for Him. He gives salvation by one way and one way only–by believing in Jesus alone as the Savior and Son of God.
If today you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins, rose from the dead, and is the one and only giver of eternal life, you can know on God's authority that you have eternal life and will never be separated from Him. That is what Jesus promised, and His death and resurrection guarantee it!
Questions? Contact us and a pastor will be glad to reach out!
