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Questions for Today |
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How can an ancient book have anything to do with me?
If you have read the New Testament, it is easy to see that Jesus is different from any other person in the course of history. He sees the world in a way that seems, to most, mixed up at best: blessed are the poor in spirit, don´t retaliate, hate is murder, lust is adultery, you must lose your life to find it. These sayings are far away from what most of us have been taught: look out for number one, he who has the most toys wins, don´t get mad get even. From this sort of perspective, Jesus was a dreamer who saw the world upside-down His contention would be just the opposite: We are the ones seeing the world upside-down; living upside-down. He came to set things right side up.
Part of that setting things right side up is turning individuals right side up. The story of Jesus offers a new beginning for humanity and confronts each of us with a personal choice: to follow Christ, or to reject him.
Soon after Christ had given his mission to his followers and returned to heaven, Peter (who was a disciple of Jesus and a leader in the early church) was speaking to a gathering of Jews. He recounts the story of Jesus´ life, death and resurrection, then challenges them to make the right response to what God has done for them:
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of
refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been
appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God
to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets...
Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these
days. And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers.
He said to Abraham, ´Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.´ When
God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you
from your wicked ways."
– Acts 3
Peter connects Jesus´ sacrifice to the ancient promise made to Abraham. He makes clear that now is the time for the blessing to occur. God has made a way for you to turn away from your wrongdoing and return to him.
As a son or daughter of Adam, you were born separated from God and the close, trusting relationship he desires to have with you. Jesus is the one who can bring you back to God. Your sins can be forgiven and your life can be renewed when you personally accept Christ´s sacrifice on your behalf. As John´s account of the story of Jesus puts it:
"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).
Your life´s story can be rewritten within the storyline of the Bible. You can join with God´s people from all over the world who are living out God´s continuing story. For this to happen, though, you must turn away from your sins and commit to trust and follow Jesus.
To take the first step on the path of following and walking with Jesus, simply tell him about it through prayer. Prayer is communicating with God. Whether you think the words or say them out loud, admit your wrongdoing to God and the brokenness of your relationship with him. Acknowledge that Jesus´ sacrifice is the only remedy for your condition. He gave up his life for you. And yet he came back to life proving his power over death and sin. Tell God you want to turn from your sin and start to follow Jesus. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1). You can be adopted into his family as if you were always his own daughter or son.
If you have made a decision to follow Jesus, we´d love to hear about it. Please email us at *******feedback@ourcity-godsword.org********.
Finding a group of believers to meet with is essential. Check out the church locator for more information on groups meeting in your area.
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