Whether you have been following Jesus since as long as you can remember or since two days ago, we as believers never graduate from the gospel. Being a Christian is not about being GOOD instead of BAD. There are many good people in the world who don’t believe in Jesus. And quite frankly, they probably live comfortable lives.
What’s up with the gospel, then? Why are people so obsessed with this Jesus guy? What’s the big deal?
If you are asking yourself these questions, don’t worry--- you’re not alone.
While we believe that fellowship and community are very important, we desire every one of our members to have a personal and individual relationship with God--- and that starts with something called the gospel. The gospel is the greatest and craziest love story of all time. It’s a plan of a faithful and loving Father who gave everything in order to be with US—yep you and I--- again. The gospel is good news. However in order for it to be good news, we need to recognize that there is bad news.
ROMANS 3:23 (NKJV) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
What is sin? Sin is anything that separates us from God. No matter who you are or where you come from, all of us have done things that have separated us from God. Sometimes it’s easy to pinpoint what that is in our lives and sometimes it’s harder—but it’s there.
ROMANS 6:23 (NKJV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
What’s so wrong with sin? Sin brings death. It brings being forever separated from God. We can’t save ourselves, but that’s where God steps in.
ROMANS 5:8 (NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us
God then came down to live among us as Jesus—as man without sin. He died on a cross, therefore taking on all the punishment we deserve.
ROMANS 10:9-10 (NKJV) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
But Jesus did more than just die—he came back to life. He conquered death. So when we accept Jesus, Jesus makes his home in us. When God sees us, instead of seeing sin and brokenness, he sees Jesus. And because of that God can be with us. He can talk to us and we can talk to Him--- have a relationship.
ROMANS 5:1 (NKJV) Therefore, we have peace with God through our Lord Christ Jesus
ROMANS 8:1 (NKJV) There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit
ROMANS 8:38-39(NKJV) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels or principalities nor powers, nor things present or things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
So how do I accept Jesus? How can I enter into a relationship with the creator of the universe? All you have to do is talk to God. Recognize that you are broken and have sinned and believe God sent Jesus to save you.
Nine times out of ten you will feel the same as you felt 10 minutes ago. But trust me, heaven is throwing a party because you are no longer dead but ALIVE.
Remember that saying a sinner’s prayer doesn’t save you. Trying to be that ‘perfect’ Christian doesn’t save you --- Jesus does. Get to know Him.
Accepting Jesus does not mean life gets better. It does not mean you won’t have to struggle with sin. In fact, Jesus promises that we will have trouble, but what we can’t miss is what he says after that: “but take heart; I have overcome the world”. John 16:33 (ESV)
Accepting Jesus means:
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You have a comforter in times of hardship. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
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You have access to peace beyond understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
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You are spiritually ALIVE with Jesus instead of being dead in your sin. (Ephesians 2)
And this doesn’t even scratch the surface. There are so many more things left to discover as we begin to follow Him. It begins with a choice---a choice to choose Jesus every day. And watch as those days turn to months to years to decades and then finally to eternity.
If you are accepting Jesus for the first time, it okay to have questions!! We all have questions—about the world, our situations, etc. Continue to pursue God. Find a community of believers that strengthen you, cry with you, and live this crazy life with you!! Whether that is with us or not, we pray that God continues to reveal Himself to you and that you grow in relationship with Him.
With love,
The ladies of Sigma Phi Lambda
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