God created humanity in his image, but since the sin of Adam & Eve, all have been born into sin. Because God is holy and righteous, all who have sinned have fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) and the punishment for our sin is death and eternal separation from God in hell (Romans 6:23).
God in his all-knowing, loving character knew the result and effects of sin and before even the foundations of the world had committed himself to redemption's plan; His Son's sacrifice. God loves his creation (you) so much that he sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to die on the cross. In his death Jesus was the sinless, perfect, sacrifice that took upon himself all of the condemnation and wrath of God — satisfying God’s justice for sin, making us right before God and now able to be in his presence for eternity. (John 3:16-17)
Scripture and Jesus teach that faith in him alone — his sacrifice, provision, resurrection, and return — is what brings forgiveness of sin and restores us to a right relationship with God the Father. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we are forgiven and set free from our sin and able to spend eternity in heaven forever.
We cannot overcome sin by our own deeds. It is by faith alone, through the grace of God, and not any work of man, that we are forgiven. The good news and truth of God's love and Jesus' sacrifice cause us to see the depravity of our hearts and our need for salvation. It causes a change of heart from our ways to the ways of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).
This is the good news of Jesus Christ. It doesn't matter the depravity of our past, it doesn't matter the mess that we are currently living in; all that matters is that through Jesus Christ we can be forgiven, free, and set apart for his good purpose and pleasure. No one is too far gone. Christ is hope to all who believe. All who are in Christ are a new creation, the old is gone, behold the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
It is our desire as a church to share this good news with everyone we come in contact with so that all can experience the grace, forgiveness, and salvation of Jesus Christ. In doing so we strive to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and bring glory to our gracious, loving, Heavenly Father.
Do you believe? Do you have faith? If so, it is the greatest journey you could ever embark on in this life. Following Jesus is where we begin to understand truth, see live transformation, and understand our purpose and identity in life.
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9