For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
GOD CREATED US AND LOVES US
GOD CREATED EVERYTHING
God created everything in the universe, but He specifically created us to be like Him and to have a relationship with Him.
AND IT WAS GOOD
We had a perfect relationship with God as He intended and lived peaceful, joyful, and wonderful lives with Him. The world was an amazing place with no evil or death.
BUT THEN WE REBELLED
WE SINNED AGAINST GOD
Rather than enjoy the relationship that God offered, we stubbornly chose to go our own way and forsook God. This separated us from God and brought the suffering, destruction, and death we see today.
WE ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD
Nothing we do can ever make up for our sins. None of our efforts; no good deeds, no philosophy, no religious acts can ever make us right in God's eyes, for He is perfect, good, and just. We were completely doomed and destined for destruction and God's punishment.
BUT GOD STILL LOVED US
GOD SENT HIS SON JESUS
Out of His love for us, God sent His son Jesus to earth. Jesus lived a perfect life, caring for the sick and needy and teaching others how to live a godly life.
JESUS DIED AND WAS RESURRECTED
In a radical act of love, Jesus died in a brutal crucifixion and took the punishment that we deserved for our sins. Three days later He came back from the dead, conquering our sin and death.
NOW WE CAN HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD
Having taken the punishment for our sins, Jesus now offers us grace for our sins. We must personally accept this gift of grace and let Him into our lives to form a relationship with Him.
JESUS TRANSFORMS OUR LIVES
When we enter into a relationship with Jesus, He completely transforms our lives. We experience His incredible love for us and the peace and joy that come with it. We find fulfillment and purpose in knowing Him and doing His good work on earth. And ultimately we trust in His eternal life, for when we die we will spend eternity with Him in heaven.
Receiving Christ is more than an emotional experience or an intellectual agreement with what He's said and done. Rather, it is an act of will to repent of your sins and accept Jesus's grace and love and to allow Him into your life to transform you. This is no light decision, but if you genuinely desire to know Him, simply pray that He would forgive you and enter into your life. He will do amazing things in your life as you begin this relationship!
To learn more about Jesus, we encourage you to read the book of John in the Bible. The Bible is essentially God's book written for us: an account of who He is, what He's done, and His relationship with humanity. John is an eyewitness account of Jesus's life; you can read it here.
You can also learn more about Jesus and Christianity in general at Cru's website and EveryStudent.com. If you have any questions, please come talk to anyone in Cru or fill out the following contact form. We'd love to talk to you!
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