God. We were created by God and for God.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. - Genesis 1:1

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:26-27

 

It begins with God. He has always been and spoke everything into existence. Of all of the beauty of God’s creation, human beings alone were created in the image of God. We were created with the capacity to love, decide, create, and have relationships. We were created with the purpose of being loved by God, loving God, serving God, and enjoying a relationship with God. In the beginning, by God’s design, there was complete peace and harmony. There was no sickness and death. There was only love, acceptance, and close relationship between God and the first people, Adam and Eve. This brings us to the next question:

Distrust and Disobedience

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. - Gen. 3:5-6

God had given Adam and Eve opportunity and responsibility. They had the opportunity to decide and the responsibility to manage creation. The tree mentioned in those verses of Genesis 3 existed not to trip them up, but to represent the love and trust in the relationship between God and people. However, Adam and Eve distrusted God and decided to disobey Him. We refer to this distrust and disobedience as sin. When they sinned, the consequences were impactful. Sin entered into all of creation and has impacted every person.

Here’s what sin is A natural tendency and condition. Each of us breaking God’s commands in thoughts, words, and actions. Each of us trying to be self-righteous. Each of us replacing God with other created things.

Here’s what sin does: It brings guilt, shame, and brokenness in people. Spiritually we are disconnected from God. Physically we experience sickness and death Socially it causes conflict and hatred. Emotionally we feel anxiety and depression. Morally there is a decaying sense of right and wrong.

So, all of this overwhelmingly leads us to the next question:

The short answer is - yes! But it’s not because we are powerful enough to undo or fix anything. It is only because of Jesus! Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. - Galatians 1:4

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. - 1 Peter 3:18

Just as God had promised, as recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible more than 300 times, the Savior of the world, Jesus, came to rescue. The story of His birth, life, death, resurrection, and beyond are recorded in the Bible. The entirety of the Bible points to Jesus. He is our only source of hope and rescue.

How does Jesus make hope possible? He lived a sinless and perfect life (2 Corinthians 5:21), died on the cross for our sin (Romans 5:8), and rose from the dead on the third day as He predicted (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). He did everything that we needed, but could not accomplish on our own.

Considering this good news of hope in Jesus, how do I respond? There are no magical words to say or book to sign. The response in receiving Jesus and beginning a relationship with Him is a personal one. We want to help guide you through this response, which involves the following:

Trust in Jesus Alone Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” (John 6:47)

Ephesians 2:8-9 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.

Belief and faith in Jesus is trusting that He alone can save you.

Admit your Need to Jesus As we read earlier, we each have sinned, fallen short, are imperfect, and in desperate need of hope.

Ask Jesus to forgive you

Jesus said, “Repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) When we ask Jesus to forgive us, we are also agreeing with Him that we have done wrong. This doesn’t mean that we will not ever struggle again, but this means that we are replacing our past patterns with a new life based on the good news of Jesus.

Follow Jesus Now, because of what Jesus has done in your life, you are a Jesus-follower. Your allegiance and commitment is to Him. This influences every area of your life as you live to worship, honor, and obey Jesus as “the Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15).

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