The message of redemption is woven like a tapestry through the Bible, providing a clear picture of what it means to be saved.
God really loves you more than you can image!
He wants you to have an endless life that is filled with love, joy, peace, and purpose.
“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6
People sometimes ask why God seems to allow so much pain and devastation in the world if He is full of love.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
The answer can be traced right back to what happened in the Garden of Eden. Sin, destruction and death entered the world when Adam and Eve turned away from following God.
After being overcome by the temptation to “be like God,” they rebelled against His command. The underlying motivation was the desire to overthrow the power of God and take His place instead of living in submission to Him. This was also the original sin of Lucifer, who was personified by the serpent.
“You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. You must not touch it, or you will die.” Genesis 3:3
Adam and Eve made the choice to believe the serpent’s lies. They turned and followed his rebellion when they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
“You will not certainly die,” the snake said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”.” Genesis 3:4&5
Their decision to rebel against God brought a curse of death, evil and tragedy upon the entire world.
“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” Romans 5:12
Since that time, choices motivated by selfishness and pride, in rebellion against God, have caused enormous suffering throughout the ages.
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23
The terrible consequence of sin is that it brings about spiritual death which is eternal.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
God provided a way for us to be saved from eternal death even though we were caught in the snare of sin.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” John 3:16
Jesus, laid down His life as the payment to buy us back from the domain of darkness. His act of selfless humility broke the curse caused by selfishness, pride, and rebellion.
“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.” Romans 5:8&9
We can receive the gift of salvation if we accept that Jesus, who is the visible image of the invisible God, rose to life again after dying in our place as the punishment for our sin.
Receiving salvation opens the way for us to follow God and have a relationship with Him like Adam once had. This is because the blood of Jesus washes our sin away as if we had never sinned when we accept the price He paid for our redemption.
“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” Colossians 1:13-15
All we need to do is openly declare that Jesus is Lord and choose to believe that God raised Him from the dead. This is what it means to be saved.
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:9&10
Feel free to say this prayer to receive the gift of salvation:
“Father God, I realise that I am a sinner and that there is nothing I can do to save myself. Thank you for loving me so much that You sent your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross in my place as the punishment for my sin.
Jesus, I believe that You rose from the dead and You are the Lord of Heaven and Earth. I ask You to come into my heart and be the Lord of my life.
Thank You for saving me and giving me Your eternal life. Help me to follow You and walk in a relationship with You. I choose to walk in obedience to Your Word from this day forward. Amen”
When you make the decision to accept God’s gift of salvation, you become a new person.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Giving your life to Jesus means you can leave all the burdens of the past behind and make a new start as a child of God.
You may not feel any difference in the beginning. That is not something to be concerned about.
As you progress in your relationship with Jesus, you will become increasingly aware of His presence. You will also grow in your understanding of His great love for you.
Reading the Bible, and speaking to God in prayer every day will help you develop in your relationship with Him. You can find many translations of the Bible online. The Bible App can also be downloaded for free with a range of study plans.
An extensive array of Christian resources can also be found on the internet. I would recommend following Bill Johnson or Andrew Wommack if you are looking for good Christian content.
Random Reflections also includes various poems and articles written from a Christian perspective.
It is also important to find a local church where you can connect with other Christians who can support you. Google Maps is usually quite helpful for this.
Deciding to walk with God will take you on a journey from despair to delight. Getting to know Jesus and following Him as He leads you is the greatest adventure you can ever undertake!