THE GOSPEL
The meaning of life...
Often we wonder what life is all about, what our purpose is, or “what’s the meaning of it all?”
Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3).
Life is about relationships. Without friends and family, life would be empty. Ultimately, we must have a personal relationship, not only with family and friends, but we must know God to have eternal life. We need a personal relationship with Him!
Our relationship with God is blocked by sin. The Bible says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). When you or I have a problem with a friend, our relationship does not flow well until we reconcile with one another. Sin gets in between our relationship with God because He hates sin (even though He loves the sinner). So something has to be done to remove the barrier of sin if we are going to be able to develop a relationship with Him. As much as we would like to remove sin from our hearts on our own, we can’t. We are in a spiritual condition that is helpless.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He paid the price for my sin and your sin. The price of that sin was death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Having paid the price for our sin in death, Jesus conquered death by rising from the grave, and now He offers eternal life as a free gift to those of us who will receive Him.
“But as many received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). “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).
One may ask, “How can I receive Jesus?” Simply ask Him to forgive you of your sins, come into your life, and to save you. Commit your life to following Him as the Lord of your life.
Jesus said, “unless you repent (turn away from sin), you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). “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).
Be willing to turn away from sin in your life, and ask Jesus to come into your life and be your Savior and Lord. Trust Him today and begin a marvelous relationship with Him as you discover the meaning of life in Him. Listen to God speak to you through His word daily. This will help you grow spiritually. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Worship and serve the Lord with your local church as you continue to grow in Him. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:10).
Feel free to join First Baptist Church as we continue to grow together in our relationship with our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!
