I have come that they might have life

These wonderful words, spoken by Jesus Christ can be found in the Bible, in the book of John. You might read that and think “well I’m alive already, what does that mean?” To answer that question, let’s read a few more words from the Bible, from Romans 5:8

God demonstrates His own love for us in this…

All throughout the Bible we see the heart of God and the character of God. In Genesis 1 we read that God created everything – the earth, the sky, the sea, all animal life and plant life, the universe, and finally, humans. And it was perfect. God placed the first humans, Adam and Eve in the most beautiful garden the earth has ever seen, called Eden. There was no death, no disease, no killing – all creation was at peace in this beautiful garden.

While it is true that all creation was precious to God, it was the humans that God paid particular attention to -  and still does. We read that God made us in His “image” and “likeness”. We also read in Revelation that God made us for “His pleasure”. As we read the Bible we recognise that God did not simply makes us His puppets, pawns or robots, but to have a living relationship with Him.  We read that God is love and that is right – God loves us so much  that He, the Creator, wants relationship with us, His creation.

…while we were yet sinners…

While God made everything perfect – including humans – Adam and Eve chose to rebel against the systems God had instituted, and the close relationship that was had in Eden was gone. Every human that has lived is tarred with that rebellious nature against God. The Bible calls this sin.

The Bible says that the punishment for sin is hell – eternal separation from God and eternal torment. On our own there is no escape from this fate. We have seen that God is love but we also need to see that God is just. Whenever a law is broken, the person breaking that law must suffer consequences otherwise there is no justice.  

…Christ died for us…

God saw that we had dishonoured Him and deserved hell, to be separated from Him forever. But because He loves us, He sent His own Son, Jesus Christ into the world. He came as a baby, lived a sinless life and did good – all of His life He did not break one of God’s laws at any time in thought, word or action. At about the age of 33, Jesus was arrested, beaten, whipped and nailed to a cross. After being dead for three days, Jesus rose to life again.

It took the death and resurrection of Jesus – who lived a perfect and sinless life – to cancel the effect of sin. Because Jesus took the punishment meant for us and our sin, a restored relationship to God is now available to us. And because Jesus was raised from death, eternal life is also available to us. How?

The Bible says in Romans 10:9 that we must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe (that is, to trust, putting our hope in, depending on the fact) that He died and was raised from death in order to be saved. Knowing that we are sinful, and need the saving grace of Jesus, it is as simple as praying a prayer like this:

Dear Jesus,

I believe and freely confess that You are Lord. I believe that You came to the earth and died on a cross in my place. I believe that You rose from death three days later, and that You are Lord over all.

I now realise that I am a sinner. I have broken Your laws many times. I now ask for for Your forgiveness for my sin. I thank You that it was paid for by Your precious blood on the cross.

I choose to make You my Saviour and Lord. Please fill me with Your Spirit, so that from today, by Your strength, I can turn my back on my old life and live a life that brings You glory, pleasure and tells of Your goodness.

Thank You Lord Jesus, amen

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