​CAN A PERSON KNOW GOD?

​Have you ever had a broken relationship? It happens. People drift. Friendships collapse. Things come between us.  Not only are broken relationships painful, but they're discouraging too. It's frustrating when we can't seem to find the cause or figure out how to repair the relationship.
God doesn't want us to go through life with torn relationships-especially our relationship with Him.
​
It might surprise you, but God wants a relationship with you. In fact, the most well­ known verse in the Bible tells us of God's love: "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).
God made a way for us to know Him, and He doesn't leave us guessing how-He tells us in the Bible.

WE ALL FALL SHORT

Have you ever wondered why, if God loves us, everyone in the world doesn't automatically have a relationship with Him? What is it that keeps us from God?   The Bible tells us that it is sin that keeps us from God. Sin is any act contrary to God's laws and commandments, and all of us sin.

In Romans 5:12 we see that since Adam and Eve (the first man and woman on earth) a sin nature has been present in all people: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." No one had to teach us how to sin; sinning comes naturally to us.

So sin separates us from God. It makes a chasm or gulf between us so that we can't reach God. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
​
Also, our sin has a penalty. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death ...." The "wage" or payment for our sin is spiritual death-eternal separation from God in Hell.

​RELIGION AND GOOD WORKS ARE NOT ENOUGH

Some people believe that they can pay the price for sin by doing good works or being involved in religion. This may seem logical, but it's not what the Bible says. In fact, the Bible specifically tells us that we can't earn our way to Heaven through good works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
​
A moment ago, we saw that the payment God set for sin is death. When we try to pay for our sins through good works, religion, sincerity, or any other way, it won't work. Although it is good to be kind to your neighbor and care about church, these things cannot satisfy the payment that God set for sin.

THE GOOD NEWS – GOD HAS MADE A WAY!

Because God is love, He sent His own Son ­Jesus Christ-to die on the cross for our sin. After His death, Jesus rose from the dead three days later.  Though we deserve eternal death for our sin, Jesus paid our debt when He died for our sin. We were lost and separated from God, but He loved us.

As Romans 6:23 tells us, Christ now offers us the gift of eternal life: " ... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." This is a gift Christ paid for when He died for our sins. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the payment for our sin. Now we do not have to pay for our sin. By His grace, salvation is provided.
​
In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, "But God commendeth [meaning proved or demonstrated] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

​YOU CAN BE RECONCILED TO GOD THROUGH CHRIST

Although Jesus already paid for our sins and offers us a relationship with Him (and eternal life in Heaven too), we must choose to receive His gift. We must stop trusting ourselves, our works, and our religions, and place our full trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sin.
​
Romans 10:13 says we must simply call out to Him to save us from the penalty of our sin: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

This is a promise directly from God that if you will pray to Him, confess that you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive your sins, and turn to Him alone to be your Saviour, He promises to save you. You can make that decision today by praying something like this from your heart:

Dear Lord, I know that I am separated from You because of sin. I confess that in my sin I cannot save myself. Right now, I turn to you alone to be my Saviour. I ask you to save me from the penalty of my sin, and I trust you to provide eternal life for me. Amen.

You'll never regret that decision! If you have just trusted Jesus Christ, we would love to know about your decision and give you a Bible and some other materials to help you learn more about that new relationship! Give us a call at (520) 825-6105 and let us know today!​