The Simple Truth (from God's Word)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). He created male and  female (Gen. 1:27). They (one man and one woman) were joined together (in marriage) as one flesh (Gen. 2:22-24). They had an amazing place to live and everything was perfect. And then, here comes trouble -- or we’ll call it temptation. Adam and Eve had a choice to make and they made a bad one. They chose to go against what God said and chose to do what they wanted instead (Gen 3:4-5). 

Now we have a problem — a sin problem. Man’s relationship with God has been messed-up because of sin (Gen 3:1-19). We now have a separation between man (the created) and God (the creator). The penalty for any and all sin is death (Rom 6:23). 

Romans 5:12, "Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned."

Romans 3:23, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  

So, did God create us just so we could face death for our sin because we can't live up to His standard of perfection? This is a problem!  

Every problem has a solution and God in His amazing mercy and grace, provided us a with a solution.  

Hebrews 9:22b, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.  

I like to call the Old Testament the temporary solution. We read all about animal sacrifices and following all these (crazy and very hard to keep) rituals. Can you imagine how difficult it must have been to try to keep the law? I could never do it and neither could they. 

Obviously, a temporary solution is just that, it's temporary. Without the temporary solution (the Old Testament), we would never understand the permanent solution (the New Testament). So, what is the permanent solution? 

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Jesus died in our place. Because everyone is born a sinner, the only way to correct our sin problem is to be born again.

John 3:3, "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 

How do you know if you are born again? Because your life will look different. If there has never been a real change in our life, you haven't been born again and you are not a Christian. I hate to be so blunt, but that's what the Bible says. Do you have a desire to please God or are you living to please yourself? Are you reading the Bible? Are you spending time with like-minded Christians? Are you talking to God? Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind? (Matt. 22:37). Are you growing in your faith? If you died today, would you be absent from the body and present with the Lord? (2 Cor. 5:8) There are some things you just know without any doubt and being a Christian is one of those things. I'm not talking about the word "Christian" because you think you are a good person. 

        Luke 18:19b, "No one is good - except God alone."

I'm talking about being a Christian because you love the Lord and you want to grow in your relationship with Him. I heard someone say recently that they were "a bad Catholic." You will never be a good enough Catholic or a good enough person to go to heaven. Never!

I want to keep this post short but there is so much to share when it comes to the truth of God's word. When we read the Bible, we see the story of redemption, the story of Jesus, and the story of the gospel (the good news). It will take us a lifetime to understand everything between Genesis and Revelation but, we will never understand it if you don't read it and study it. 

We live in a messed-up world. But for those of us who know Jesus, heaven is waiting and it will be amazing. This world that we live in is only temporary and one day there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1). 

Rev. 22:20, "He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" 

The Simple Truth is this -- You can't be a Christian if you don't know Jesus. And you can't know Jesus if you are not spending time in His Word. 

The Bible will always be foolishness to those who do not come to scripture with a changed heart and a changed mind. 

When you confess that you are a sinner and that Jesus is you Savior, you believe that he was and is the Son of God, you will be saved and you will not be condemned for your sin or separated from God. (John 3:16, Rom 5:1, 8:1) All those who place their faith in Jesus Christ are forgiven and covered by His blood.