July 4, 2009 - Current Rant: DDR is Always Better Homemade

What kind of world would you create?

If you were God, what kind of world would you create? One without suffering? One that is filled with love, cooperation, and freedom? One in which man treated others with kindness and justice?

Well, this is exactly the kind of world that God originally created.


God created a perfect paradise for mankind

"God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." ~ Genesis 1:31

No suffering, death, or oppression - only freedom to live a wonderful life. Since God created all things, He is the master of all.

God allowed man to choose to live in obedience to Him or to live in rebellion against His rightful authority. God was not a harsh ruler, He gave only one simple rule.


Man chose to rebel

Wanting to live his own way, according to what he thought was right, man chose to disobey God. Man's choice resulted in the fall of man, or sin. Simply stated, sin is disobedience to God. God Himself is the standard of what is right and He should be obeyed. Sin causes spiritual separation from God because God is perfect and pure and His purity cannot dwell with sinfulness and His justice cannot allow it to go unpunished.

As a result of sin, the natural world was also cursed and began to die. The ground became less fertile and food became scarce. Man had to work harder to harvest much less. Mankind would also realize the effect that sin has on human relationships, leading to cruelty, murder, lust, and causing disharmony within the family.

Mankind continues to sin, living in rebellion against God. This is why the world is filled with suffering today. Man must take responsibility for destroying the perfection of God's creation.

Because of our sinfulness, man cannot know and experience God's love and fellowship, no matter how hard he may try to reach God on his own through good deeds, religious rituals, or philosophies.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ~ Romans 3:23.


Jesus Christ died for you

God sent Jesus Christ to Earth. Jesus Christ was God in the form of a man. He came to explain the truth about God and to pay the price for man's rebellion.

"No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side (Jesus Christ), has made him known." ~ John 1:18

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "He (God) made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

When Jesus died on the cross, He took upon Himself all of our sins and took the punishment for them. He did this so that we wouldn't be punished and so that we could be with God.

Jesus died for our sins and was raised victorious over death. Jesus Christ is the only way to have our sins forgiven and to have a relationship with God, which results in eternal life.

"But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." ~ Romans 5:8.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." ~ John 14:6.


A new Heaven and Earth

Ultimately, God will restore paradise. Again there will be no death, no suffering, no evil. Our experience in this world of hardship will be but a brief moment in a wondrous eternity. We will spend eternity exploring God's new creation. How great that will be! Imagine having an eternity to discover the infinite creations of an all-knowing, all-powerful God!

We will praise God while in heaven for His work as Creator and Redeemer.

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being." ~ Revelation 4:11.


How do you have a relationship with God?

How can you have your sins forgiven and have a wonderful relationship with God?

Believe in Him, receive the forgiveness that He offers. "To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." ~ John 1:12.

Trust God for eternal life in heaven. "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." ~ John 3:16.

Trust God for fulfillment in your present life. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." ~ John 10:10.


The most important decision of your life

Whether or not you accept God's gift of salvation is the most important decision of your life.

"It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment." ~ Hebrews 9:27.

Someday, each of us must stand face to face with God. What happens at that judgment depends upon the decisions you are making right now.

If the things you have read here make sense to you and you would like to accept God's gift of salvation, then simply pray to God and let Him know. Here's an example of a prayer for accepting Christ into your life:

"God, I know that You are good and loving. I know that I am a sinner. Thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die in my place and forgiving my sins. I would like You to come into my life and my heart. Please help me to be committed to you and live in a way that is pleasing to You. In Jesus' name, Amen."


What now?

If you accept salvation in Christ, you can be assured that your relationship with Jesus Christ has been restored. You are no longer viewed by God as a sinner. God sees Christ's righteousness in you.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, all things become new." ~2 Corinthians 5:17.

You are also promised eternal life as well. "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life." ~ 1 John 5:11-13.

Now, that you have accepted Christ into your life, your adventure is only beginning! There are many things for you to experience and learn in your new life as a believer. Here are some ways you can help your relationship with God grow:

  • Pray to God daily.
  • Read God's Word, the Holy Bible. Try starting with the Book of Romans in the New Testament of the Bible to learn more about what being a Christian means.
  • Obey and trust God moment by moment in your life.
  • Find Christian friends who can be happy for you and help you grow in your relationship with God.
  • Find a Christian fellowship/church to attend and serve God in.
  • Tell others about God.

If this message has impacted your life, I’d really like to hear from you. ^_^ I’d love to be the first to help you celebrate your new life! And of course, I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to email. ^_^


Not ready yet?

If you have any questions, you can browse through the Resources section at http://www.suzaku.info. Most of the questions non-believers have about Christianity and Christian beliefs have already been answered online.


The following document was taken from http://www.suzaku.info/believe/ and adapted for this webpage.
Credits to ChristiansAnswers.net and Campus Crusade's Four Spiritual Laws.