THE STORY OF REDEMPTION

The story of redemption is the story of a just and loving God calling lost and rebellious creatures back to Himself. He has been writing this grand and glorious narrative of His goodness and grace since before time began.

We enter into His story at creation. For His glory, God created this world good and peaceful and offered us the opportunity of unbroken fellowship with Himself. However, as Genesis 3 tells us, things went wrong. Through one man’s disobedience, we fell from this joyful state of fellowship. Sin entered our hearts, and with that sin, the world became twisted and fractured.

The harmony and peace that creation once enjoyed was damaged by sin and broken in disrepair. Since that time, God has patiently and purposefully continued the story of redemption. God sent His only Son, Jesus, who came and lived a perfect, sinless life and offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sin on the cross. Jesus endured God’s wrath on behalf of sin. It was a dark and horrendous moment of suffering and death, yet peace and beauty and hope burst forth as Christ rose three days later from the grave. What was once broken God restored through His Son. Through Christ we are offered restoration and reconciliation. God takes that which is broken and makes it new. He takes that which is condemned to hell and offers justification instead. The Father invites you into relationship with Him and into the newness of life Christ offers. Will you accept His invitation?

RECOGNIZE YOUR CONDITION.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." 1 John 3:4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one..." No one is good enough to go to Heaven on his own merit. No matter how much good we do, we still fall short.

REALIZE THE PENALTY FOR SIN.

Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death...” Ezekiel 18:20a “The soul that sinneth, it shall die...” Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Just as there are wages for good, there is punishment for wrong. The penalty for our sin is eternal death in a place called Hell.

REPENT.

Luke 13:3b “... Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Acts 3:19a “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out...” 2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." Biblical repentance is turning from sin to Christ; this is necessary for salvation.

PUT YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN CHRIST ALONE.

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Romans 6:23b “... But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved...” Christ’s love for us was shown when He died on the cross to pay our sin debt. Everlasting life is a gift available by Jesus‘ death, burial, and resurrection to those who repent and call upon Him in faith.

Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Praying empty words does not save you, it is your repentance toward God and the belief in your heart. If you have felt the conviction of God in your heart while reading this, you can give your life to Christ today by calling out to Him in faith. If you have any questions, please call us. We would love to speak more with you about the true hope that is found in Jesus Christ.