New Believer

“Faith in Christ is the only effective remedy to fear of death.” Every human being has a hunger to know the One who made him. In other words, everyone has a desire to experience God. For example – consider what runs through your heart anytime distress or tragedy strikes in life? Our hearts direct us to call upon Someone higher than ourselves, to seek something stronger than ourselves. In the words of a wise man in Ecclesiastes 3:11 – God has set eternity in the human heart. There are two burning questions everyone has asked at one point in their lives:

• What is life all about?
• What happens after life is over?

Do you know the answer to these questions? And how do these answers – or the lack of them – affect your daily life? Does it translate into fulfilment and contentment in work, relationships and family? Do you find joy and peace within you – irrespective of the situation around you? Do you have a sense of purpose that anchors you even in the face of trials and tragedy? Let’s ask a sobering question – if you were told that today is your last day on earth:

• What would you do? Where would you go?  What would you say?
• How would it change your behaviour, your attitude, your approach to life?

The stark reality is that any day – even today – may be your final day on earth. Death is the common destiny we all share. Does the thought of mortality fill you with fear? Are you confident of where you will spend eternity? If your heart is hungry for meaning in this life and assurance of life after death, the answer has been given by Jesus Christ! The essence of genuine Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ by faith – a relationship that extends even beyond the grave – freeing those “who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:15) . But who actually is a Christian? People today give numerous reasons for calling themselves Christians. For instance, they say: “I am a Christian because my parents are believers.” “I am a Christian because I attend church services at Easter and Christmas.” “I am a Christian because I am convinced that Jesus is the Son of God.” “I am a Christian because I try to be a good person.” The problem with these answers is that they don’t mention the only reason that qualifies someone as a Christian. Here is the challenge: You can attend church and not be a Christian. You can read the Bible and not be a Christian. You can be brought up in a godly home and not be a Christian. You can eliminate bad habits and try to be a moral person and still not be a Christian. Such actions alone do not make a person a Christian! There is a big difference between knowing about God and actually knowing Him. Man is a sinner who has fallen short of God’s perfect standard. The penalty for this is death – eternal separation from God. Whether you have tried to ‘be a good person’ and maintain God’s standards as revealed in the Bible or you have lived life without any care for God or eternity – the reality is that we all have missed the mark. We all owe a debt we simply cannot afford to pay. Therefore, we all are in desperate need of His forgiveness! God came to the earth in the person of Jesus Christ, who entered as a man and lived His life without sin. On the Cross of Calvary, He died for us and actually paid for our sin! Through our faith in Him, we receive: – His righteousness, – His forgiveness of our sins – The gift of eternal life. Who is a Christian then? A Christian is a person whom God has forgiven through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross (Titus 3:3-6). Here is the main point: Being a Christian is not about what you do; it is about what Christ Jesus has done. By His selfless sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus made us fit for God and set us right with God. In Acts 16:30-31 ., a law enforcement officer asked Apostle Paul the most important question: ‘What must I do to be saved?’ Paul simply answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus; you will be saved.” We are saved by this amazing Gospel of grace which says Jesus loves us, died for us and forgives us when we open our hearts to believe! Your refuge lies in these words – Only Believe! As you are reading this, what is your current situation? – Do you feel as if life has cheated you? – Are you struggling with disappointment, discouragement or depression? – Are you searching for a purpose larger than yourself? Look in faith to Jesus! As He was unjustly nailed to the Cross, Jesus was actually made to be the curse you deserved (Galatians 3:13-14) . He took your poverty, your sickness and your sin so that you might receive the blessing God promised to those keeping His law – including an abundant supply for every need in your life. Jesus defeated the devil at Calvary when He resurrected (Colossians 2:15) ! It is His victory over death that gives us victory over the devil in our daily lives here on earth and for eternity in Heaven! As you hear the Living Word of God and embrace it by faith, you receive: – Confident assurance of life everlasting with Christ, – Divine strength to manage life’s daily challenges, – Clear purpose to guide your plans and decisions. If your heart is prompted by this short message to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, we encourage you to say this prayer. Whether you once felt close to God but now feel distant or you have never known the reality of a relationship with Jesus Christ – it is enough to say this prayer. Dear Lord, I confess that I am a sinner. I call upon Your holy name, Jesus Christ. Forgive all my sins. I believe You died in my place and rose from the dead according to the Scriptures. I receive You with my heart. Thank You, Lord for my salvation. You are welcome to the family of God! Remember, accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour is just the first step on your journey of faith. Acceptance must be accompanied by commitment! It is when we make a commitment that we become Jesus’ followers. Commitment then stands as a bridge between us and Jesus. To grow in faith, we encourage you to develop your relationship with the Holy Spirit by reading your Bible daily. The more you read with devotion, the more you will understand about yourself and God who created you! We also encourage you to find a Living Church and get involved with them.