THE PROBLEM

If we could get real honest, we live under the weight of guilt and the consequences of our own mistakes. Why? Either through ignorance or sheer will, every person has gone their own way, instead of being obedient to God.

To compensate, most of us strive to find a good way in this world - whichever way seems right to us. Our human effort for good is often pride in disguise, though, thinking we know better than God. But in these, there is no rest for our souls, no forgiveness of sins, and no power for real change.

JUSTICE

A judge who lets convicted felons go, without cause, is not a good judge, right? God is good and carefully enacts justice to ensure his goodness. Forgiveness without sense is wrong.

You may think: "I'm not that bad, as I haven't killed anyone or cheated on my spouse." Imagine a cold glass of pure spring water. Nice, right? Enjoy! Now imagine taking a tiny drop of polluted toilet water and mixing it in. Want some now? Even a little bit of wrong doing or thinking spoils all of us, just like that water.

AMAZING GRACE

Imagine that God is a judge who steps down off his chair to sign his own son into your sentence papers, a sentence that you could never pay except with your life. Jesus, God's son - God in the flesh - lived a perfect life and yet was crucified on our behalf.

But Jesus didn't stay dead! He rose from the grave three days afterward. The ultimate act of love - dying to pardon another person - was followed by the ultimate act of power - resurrection. His death washes wrongdoing away and his resurrection ensures power for those who follow him.

IN GOD WE TRUST

What is our response? We trust in Jesus' death & resurrection - clearing and cleansing our wrongdoing before God - and proclaim that He is Lord of everything, including ourselves. Then we do what the first Christians did, but by faith: follow Jesus.

As students of Jesus, following his commands and teachings, God gives us power to live self-controlled, loving, and upright lives. That power comes through the Holy Spirit - a close relationship with God himself - the Bible, and other believers.

SO, WHAT NOW?

To worship God, we need to understand who he is and what he asks of us. So we seek God and invite him into our lives by reading the Bible and putting what we learn into daily practice - we humbly let God teach us his thoughts and ways, the rest of our lives.

We turn away from selfish living and live for God instead. We strive to honor him in our homes, jobs, and recreations. We also find other believers to grow up together in knowledge, faith, and love for God and other people. In short, we aim to be like Jesus and do what he did - we are the ongoing expression of his mission over 2000 years ago. He is alive and still working wonders, today!

FURTHER READING

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