The Bible
Christians believe that God has given humanity a manual for life — the Bible. This sacred book contains the foundational principles of abundant living, straight from our Creator. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, God used ordinary people (just like you and me) to write down His divine truths. The Bible holds the only truth that endures from everlasting to everlasting. We can trust that just as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow, every word spoken in the Bible will come to pass because it is the inerrant Word of God.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
— 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Our Righteousness is Like Filthy Rags
Written in this book is a story unlike any other. It begins in a garden of immaculate beauty called Eden, where God dwelt with His creation. There was no sorrow, no pain — only unity between God and His earthly children. But one encounter changed our world forever:
Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'" Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"
— Genesis 3:1–9 NKJV
At this moment, sin entered the world and with it came enmity, pain, death and destruction. Even though we were given clear instructions by God, humanity chose to disobey our Maker and believe the lies of satan, creating a barrier between God and man.
God's Love
But God, in His great love, came down from heaven in the form of a man and dwelt among His creation. He subjected Himself to a lowly birth and died a horrific death to restore every willing heart into fellowship with Him. He lived the life we could never live and died the death we were sentenced to because of our disobedience.
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
— Philippians 2:5–8
But the story didn't end there. On the third day, Jesus rose from the grave, bringing salvation to everyone who would believe that He is King of the universe. When He ascended into heaven, our Heavenly Father sent the Holy Spirit to empower everyone who has turned from sin and made a commitment to follow Jesus. By the Holy Spirit's power, all believers are strengthened to walk in the footsteps of Christ, delivering the good news of salvation through the testimony of our lives.
The Return of Jesus
Jesus never promised His followers an easy life, but He did promise to give us joy, peace, and everything we need to do His will on earth. As His followers, we are called to live lives worthy of the hope we profess, knowing that one day the King will return to judge the world and usher in a new heaven and a new earth. This kingdom will forever be filled with a family of believers who trust that God's plans, ways, and desires for us are truly the best.
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
— Revelation 21:1, 4
Where Are You?
When sin separated humanity from God for the first time, God asked Adam, "Where are you?" The good news is that wherever you are, you can receive the forgiveness, grace, and strength that you need from the King of the Universe who died to be in a loving relationship with you.
Have a conversation with Him today.