The Gospel
There is no excuse for us as humans to not acknowledge the existence of God (Romans 1:18–20). In summary, this passage explains that the wrath of God will fall on all wickedness and godlessness of people who choose to knowingly ignore the one true God.
Just as we know the sky is blue, all creation must come from a Creator, and all things were created for a purpose. In the beginning, God created the world we see today. He made the water to be filled with all types of sea creatures; He made the land to bear all kinds of vegetation, as well as many animals that would inhabit that land.
Now, when it came to mankind, God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.”
I heard a message on BBN radio, and the correlation I want to make is this: water without fish would still be water. Land without animals would still be land. God without mankind would still be God.
Knowing this, we see how each creation that was made by God had something that would need to draw from it in order for it to thrive. Without God, you will never be fully fulfilled—but with God, you will truly begin to find purpose (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Knowing this, it’s important to understand that all mankind has fallen short of the glory of God due to the sinful nature each person is born into. This means we are all subjected to the wrath of God. Because He is holy and perfect, He must judge sin.
Even though, through one man’s disobedience—Adam—our sinful nature entered the world and brought death, God, being rich in love and mercy, had a plan to reconcile mankind back to Himself. This is the purpose of the Scriptures, leading us to the One who would fulfill that plan: Jesus.
Jesus, being fully God and fully man, became our justifier before God. By placing our faith in Him, we are brought back to life. Through this faith, God begins a mighty work in our hearts that allows us to see how wickedly we once lived, sanctifying us from that wickedness through the power of the Holy Spirit. God who began a good work in those of us who believe and obey, will continue that work until it is finished on the second coming of Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
There is nothing we could have done to earn our salvation. That is why Jesus—fully God and fully man—had to take our place, bearing the punishment that we deserved. Through faith in Him, we are saved from God’s wrath. Jesus alone is our only mediator before a Holy God. He alone is the reason for our faith, and the perfector of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
Realizing this, we must humble ourselves before God, coming to know just how great our sins are before Him, turning from them, and turning to His Son. I must add, this is not an easy road. But if someone as priceless as the Lord laid down His life for us, I believe it is only right that we pick up our cross and follow Him—turning from our old sinful nature and being born again.
In true humility, we must pray to God, asking for forgiveness for our sins and asking Him to create in us a clean heart, in the likeness of His Son. Asking Jesus sincerely to be the Lord of our hearts. Letting God’s grace lead us every step of the way.
