Unlike the religions of the world, Christianity is a relationship with the true God, made possible by God.  True Christians do not work to earn anything from God.  This includes salvation.  Every blessing is a gift from the living God.

The Bible speaks of the gospel, or ‘good news’, to help us turn to the Lord and become a child of God.  Let’s consider the facts.

Creation 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, which displayed His perfect nature and sovereign eternal power.  The earth was beautiful, and rich in living things and resources.  Last of all, He created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve.  He made them like Himself, or ‘in His own image’.  This allowed them to really relate to Him, and they enjoyed a perfect friendship with their Father.  They lived in the Garden of Eden, and were to learn to care for the earth. 

The Fall 

God commanded Adam and Eve to not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden, or they would die.  But at some point the fallen angel Satan, who rebelled against God’s rule, tempted Eve.  She was deceived and ate from that tree.  Then Adam sided with his wife, and he also ate from that fruit.  Immediately, sin corrupted their pure nature and they became self-centred and selfish.  Guilt, fear, shame, and grief flooded in.  Their close friendship with God was broken, and greatly limited.  They had died spiritually.  Ever since, this sin nature has been passed from parents to each of their children.

Effects of Sin 

God had to banish Adam and Eve from the garden, so they could not eat from the Tree of Life and live forever in that state.  The consequences of sin were a shock!  Hard labour to grow their own food… to survive, and much pain in childbirth now awaited them.   Animal sacrifices became essential for the Holy God to overlook sin, and bless people as possible.

A Temporary Solution 

Later, God gave the man Moses the Ten Commandments (ten laws) plus other regulations for right living, for His chosen people the Israelites to avoid sin.  Because of their sinful nature, they were unable to keep these laws effectively.  The ‘law’ revealed how they couldn’t live rightly by God or people in their own effort. However, animal sacrifices and various offerings offered to God in faith could still stop judgement upon them.       

God’s Eternal Solution 

In God’s merciful plan, He had promised to later send His Son as the final perfect and enduring sacrifice.  By God’s power, Jesus was born of a virgin; free of the sin nature. He was fully God and also fully a man.  Christ did not use His deity power though, but rather functioned as a man by the Holy Spirit.  He fulfilled the law, and lived a perfect life.   He revealed who God is.  He taught about the kingdom of God, and healed many people.  Finally, remaining absolutely holy, Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, dying on a cross and rising to life three days later.  

Our Part

In faith, we must believe in Jesus and accept His sacrifice for us.  We can repent and be forgiven, receive His Spirit and be made new.  The Bible calls this being ‘born again’.  The Holy Spirit then lives in us, helping us to live right in a close friendship with God again.  This is eternal life.  It can start now.  Due to sin our body will still die, but we will be accepted into heaven and perfected. 

Our own efforts cannot free us from the sin nature, or make us perfect again.  Only God can ‘regenerate’ us inwardly, as we turn from sin, and accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord.  We then live for God.  Loving Him and other people, and doing good works are by His leading and enabling, but not to earn salvation or ‘brownie points’.  They simply stem from our love and gratefulness to God.

There is no other way provided by God.  

Relevant Scripture: 

Genesis Chapters 1-3

John Chapter 1 

Acts 4:12

Ephesians 2:1-9