WHAT DOES THIS SYMBOL REPRESENT?
Centuries ago because of great persecution one person would draw an
arc, another would then finish with the other arc completing a
"fish". This was a form of identifying with each other.
By taking the first letters of the Greek words, "Jesus Christ,
Son of God, Savior", it spells the Greek word "fish".
These two people were identifying themselves to each other as being Christians.
SO, WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?
A Christian is anyone who trusts that God sent His son Jesus to live among us, living a sinless life, suffered and died for OUR sins (not His, He was sinless) and then as seen by more than 500 people, rose from the grave and ascended into Heaven to eternal life.
A SINNER? I'M NOT THAT BAD.
From a human perspective you may be living a good and moral life, but from God's position of perfect, absolute holiness, even one seemingly small offense is sin, even the thought of doing something wrong is sin.
NO ONE IS PERFECT
Even if you could live a perfect life according to the Ten
Commandments, there is no commandment given by which you can gain
eternal life. Acts of religious devotion do not gain for you access
into God's eternal presence. Keeping commandments, rules and
regulations do not produce a love relationship. It produces religion.
Trying to keep the law just proves that no one can be perfect. Law
keeping does not develop a love relationship. It produces guilt.
GOD WANTS A LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!
When Jesus Christ took on a human body, lived and identified with us,
then died for us... that proved His love for us. God in heaven sent
His only son Jesus Christ to die for you because He wants to have a
love relationship with you! You are so important
to Him that He paid a terrible price... He sent His only son to die
for you! All you have to do is accept the payment Jesus made for the
sins you have committed.
Christianity is a love relationship. Like in marriage, when
there are two who love each other there is not a list of rules,
regulations and commandments that you follow. You naturally want to
do what is pleasing to the one you love and not to do things that
offend them. And so it is with Christians. Because of love for the
One who loves them, they keep the commandments and laws because they
naturally want to, not because they have to.
FORGIVENESS AND ACCEPTANCE BY GOD
Are you in need of forgiveness? Just admit your sins to God and ask for His forgiveness, trusting that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin on your behalf and arose from the grave to eternal life. By doing this, Jesus allows you to be set free from guilt, to be righteous, cleansed from sin, acceptable to God!
A GIFT, IT IS FREE!
God saves you from the penalty of your sins... it is a free gift. All you have to do is accept it. The Bible says, "By grace you are saved". Grace means unearned, unmerited favor. You can't keep commandments to earn it or be a very good person to gain it, it is a gift to you for believing and trusting Him.
NO PEACE, NO PURPOSE, NO CONTROL?
When life seems out of control despite your best
efforts, ask Jesus to take control. That means you must let go and trust
Him... not always easy, but worth it! If you allow Him to, He will
take your chaos and give you peace, purpose and direction.
Even if you are wealthy you can experience emptiness.
Busyness, buying things, other people-- none will be able to fill the
void. Your emptiness is called "a God shaped vacuum" and
can be filled with Jesus, the Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords, the
Good Shepherd.
WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES SAY?
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"If you confess your sins He will forgive you and cleanse you from all the wrongs you have done." 1 John 1:9
"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1,2
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and specific requests, let God know through a thankful heart what your needs are. And the peace of God, which one would not normally have in this situation, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7
Why not get a Bible and read the book of JOHN to find out more about the One who loves you so much?
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