The Greater & Grander Story
What comes into your mind when you think about God?
Long before you were created, God was. God is eternal. God had always existed, and there was never a time where He did not exist, nor was He ever created.
God is All-Holy, All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and Ever-Present. God is All-Loving, All-Supreme, All-Glorious, All-Consuming. Everything starts and ends with God. God is the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. Imagine, we think we are great “creators” because we formed a beautiful sculpture out of clay, or computers out of microchips. But God created everything you see - out of nothing!
Our Creator was also a Designer. His Master Plan Community was to be God over Adam and Eve, the first human beings. They were to manage the Garden, love each other, but not eat from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The penalty for disobedience? Spiritual death.
We Made a Mess!
Adam and Eve sinned against God when they willingly disobeyed God and obeyed Satan, who deceived them. They ate of the fruit in the Garden. The penalty? They were kicked out of the Garden and banned from God’s eternal presence forever. Even worse, they threw all of the human race into sinful existence. This means, if you were born, you were automatically cursed with a sinner’s mind and a sinner’s heart. You were enemies to God. Talk about an unfair childhood!
Even worse, our original sin blocks us from ever pleasing God perfectly. Our trying to please God through our good works is like a doctor attempting to do surgery with dirty hands. Most people think, “Well, as long as I am a good person, I will go to heaven.” But if God wants good people, then how do you know you’re ever good enough? Your friends, your mom, and your grandma Suzy might think you are pretty good, but picture yourself before the Almighty God of the entire universe. Will your supposed righteousness pass the test?
What Jesus Christ Did to Save Us From Our Mess
Jesus Christ was the Answer to the mess that we found ourselves in, and couldn’t get ourselves out of. 2000 years ago, Jesus lived the life that we were unable to live on our own. He was the only one who lived up to God’s perfect Standard for humanity. The Sinless One was sent to the Cross to die as a righteous substitute. There on the Cross, Jesus paid for our penalty with perfect righteousness. He rose from the dead three days later in victory over sin, death, and Satan, showing that He was indeed the Son of God. In suffering, He took our shame. In dying, he took our death. In resurrecting back to life, He gave us the life that we never deserved and never asked for.
Who We Are in Christ
So the question is not “Who are we?” but now, “Who are we in Christ?” Why? Because Christ transfers His life to ours, and treats us as if we lived perfectly. We call that Grace, getting something we didn’t (nor ever will) deserve. All those who turn from their own goodness and works and trust instead in Christ’s Work on the Cross will live on to enjoy Him, not only in this life, but in the life to come!
This story of Christ is the Gospel, or the good news about Jesus Christ. In short, Jesus Christ was the solution to humanity’s hopeless mess. Now He offers new life to whoever repents (turns away) from their sins of living for themselves. Jesus says, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32)
Not only do we turn away from our sins, but we throw ourselves onto Christ by trusting only in His gift of Grace - Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Christ gives us His perfect, spot-free record. It’s yours. God doesn’t see our messiness, but Christ’s righteousness, when He looks at you.
Your Response
With every grand story there is always a satisfying ending. And this ending is where God invites you to be a part of HIs Story! God invites you by grace to repent and turn away from your sins, and trust in His Work on the Cross.
In order to be counted righteous by God, repent of your sins and turn to trust Christ's Work alone. Know that Jesus died as your righteous substitute on the Cross, and exchanges your death with His life.
What will your ending be?