God Connection

God Connection

THE NEED

That you found your way here illustrates your need for a Savior. Something inside the human soul cries out for a relationship with God that goes far beyond the spiritual experiences of beautiful sunsets, and snow-capped mountains. Despite our desperate desire for Him we struggle with an inner knowledge that we are unworthy, and unable to draw near to Him.

While we struggle to be good people and do what is right we keep failing. In Romans, St. Paul wrote,

I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. Romans 7:18-19 (NLT)

This was not God’s intention. When God created Adam (Genesis 1:27,) He wanted a perfect relationship – the ultimate connection! God didn’t want to create something that was forced to love Him, but like all of us He desired to be in a relationship with others who chose to love Him. For this reason He gave man the ability to make his own decisions. Since all relationships need boundaries, God told man that if he wanted to maintain a great relationship he had to avoid one tree. The reward for avoiding that one tree was that the rest of the garden was free for taking. They could spend time together walking, talking and enjoying each other’s company every day. Unfortunately, man was intrigued by the tree and deceived by the serpent (Genesis 3). As the Patriarch of all mankind this decision affected the “God Connection” for all humanity. Adam chose to disobey God, and the whole earth suffered the consequences.

THE HOPE

In the same way that the first man made the decision to disobey God, and break the relationship they had, God sent another man to restore the relationship. His Name is Jesus. Jesus was similar to Adam in several ways: First, He came directly from God instead of having a human father. Since sin is passed from father to son Jesus was born without sin just as Adam was. Likewise, Jesus was given the authority to represent all of mankind through His choice of whether or not to follow God. The Bible says it this way,

Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Romans 5:18 (NLT)

Jesus has one very distinct advantage over Adam; He is completely God, and completely man. John chapter 1 tells us,

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God…So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love, and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:1; 14 (NLT)

This is important because He had to be human to represent the human race. The problem with that, is had He been born of a human father He would have been subject to the same sin DNA that has infected us all, and would have been unable to save us. By being born (in the human sense) by Mary, of the Holy Spirit, He was able to be both God and Man at the same time. Man enough to represent us, and experience life as one of us, but God enough to overcome the power of sin and death that had a strangle-hold on all of us.

By living a perfect and holy life, Jesus illustrated power over sin through the grace of God. By submitting to a cruel death on the cross Philippians 2:8, He paid the debt of sin that Adam had incurred for all of his heirs (namely us). By rising from the dead on the third day Jesus proved His power over death, Hell and the grave and cleared the path for each of us to have unending life through His Name.

THE DECISION

With the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus a new choice was given to all of us. Each of us now has the opportunity to choose. We may choose like Adam to live in disobedience and separation from God or we may choose like Jesus to follow God and be in permanent relationship with Him.

Describing this miraculous transition from sin to life St. Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus:

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way following the passionate desires, and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger just like everyone else, but God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much that even though we were dead because of our sins He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) for He raised us from the dead along with Christ, and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace, and kindness toward us as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by His grace when you believed, and you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece; He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT)

We become Disciples of Christ when we:

THE FIRST STEP

If you have been moved by God as you have read and considered this information you may begin with this simple prayer. There is nothing magical about it. These words merely verbalize the change God is actively making in your heart right now.

Father God thank You for Your Son Jesus, and for His sacrifice for my sins so that I am able to be reunited with You; I confess that I am a sinner in need of a Savior, and I am thankful that You have given me Jesus; please forgive me of all sin in my life; remake me in Your image; rescue me from sin and evil; help me to walk according to Your purpose and plans for my life; put people around me to help me mature in You; thank You for loving me; thank You for forgiving me; thank You for remaking me; in Jesus Name I pray; Amen!

THE NEXT STEPS

Congratulations! If you confessed Him with your mouth, and believed in your heart; then you are now a member of His family and a disciple of Jesus. “Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will guide you.” (Proverbs 3:6)

Here are some next steps:
  1. Let us know of your decision to follow Christ so we can celebrate with you, and help you in your journey. You can connect with us here: Contact Us.
  2. Get involved in a Bible believing and teaching church. Make sure you find one that teaches the entire Word of God. We would love to have you here at Allegiant Church & Creative Ministries!
  3. Get baptized as an outward sign, and testimony of the change God has done in you.
  4. Read your Bible daily and pray. The book of John in the New Testament is a great place to start.
  5. Get to know other true believers who can walk with you.