Christianity?

Here's some groundbreaking news: following Jesus through the twists and turns of today's world is not about rules, regulations and rituals.

It's about pursuing a dynamic personal relationship with the God of the universe who gave you life!

There is no denying (whether we want to hear about it or not) that our world is full of problems. Turn on the TV or look around your community - the effects of greed, selfishness and broken relationships are everywhere.

Many people try valiantly to make our world a better place. Thank goodness they do. But often, it's like trying to put an Elastoplast on an open wound. There's something deeper that we need to address.

The heart of the problem, it is said, is the problem of the human heart. And until we recognise this, we can never become part of the solution.

The world hasn't always been this way, and the good news - the groundbreaking news! - is that it doesn't have to stay this way, either. We need to rewind a bit in order to see how our future can be different.

In the beginning, when God made the world, He made it perfect and beautiful, and when He stood back and looked at it, the Bible says He saw that it was 'good'. He created men and women to live here, and to live in harmony with each other, with God, and with God's creation.

The Bible says, 'Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture' (Psalm 100:3).

But the Bible says that something went wrong. It tells a story about how our ancestors, Adam and Eve, turned their backs on God. They could do this because God created humans not automatons. God doesn't force anyone to follow Him: He seeks volunteers, not conscripts and that is as true today as it was then.

We live in a consumer culture, and sometimes it's hard enough to know which coffee to choose at the local cafe, let alone live well and prosper. Yet whether or not you've thought about this before, we all, in the end, face one simple choice: to follow God, or to reject him. That, in fact, is the crux. That choice informs every other choice you will make in life.

Imagine being whisked off to a televised showing of ''This Is Your Life' with you as the subject. All your friends and family are in the studio audience, only this is an edition of the programme different from any other.

Instead of portraying all your achievements and omitting all your dark stuff - this programme shows it all - everything you ever thought or did, known or secret. How would you feel?

You might feel like the man in court who, after pleading his innocence, listened for several hours to the court proceedings, and then shouted: "I'm guilty!" The judge turned to him and said, "Why didn't you say that several hours ago?"

"Well," replied the man, "I didn't realise I was guilty, until I heard all the evidence!" Often, we go through life presuming we haven't done anything wrong - until we really stop to think about it.

You might have heard of 'the ten commandments' - they're an ancient God-given code for living, dating from the 16th century BC and found in the Bible. Today, not many people can remember them - let alone keep them! They are not, however, a suffocating list of "thou-shalt-not"s, but simple, profound and wise instructions for human happiness.

Here they are in contemporary English (taken from Exodus 20 and Matthew 5), in question format.

1. Do you put God at the centre of your life, where He should be?
2. Do you put anything or anyone else in the place of God in your life?
3. Have you ever used the name of God carelessly or insincerely?
4. Do you keep one day free each week, to focus on God and to get some much-needed rest?
5. Do you respect and honour your parents?
6. Don't murder - and watch your angry thoughts, because they, too, are murderous.
7. Have you ever had impure or lustful thoughts about another person? Don't commit adultery - not even in your mind.
8. Have you ever stolen anything?
9. Have you ever told a lie or half-truth to another person or about another person? 10. Have you ever been jealous of what is not yours?

When we don't keep these basic rules for living, it affects us and all our relationships - with other people, with God and with His creation. We become cut off - 'dislocated' - and that's what the Bible calls 'sin'.

'Anyone then, who knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, sins' (James 4:17).

Today, the word 'sin', to most people, seems either outdated or else a bit of fun. But if we're serious about understanding why we have so many problems in the world, we have to take sin seriously.

When we ignore God's instructions, we ignore Him. And if we turn our backs on our Creator, we reject Him.

Because God is perfect, He can't tolerate our sin - so it puts a barrier between us. It prevents us from enjoying the loving, personal relationship that God wants us to have with Him.

'The Lord saw how great people's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved... and his heart was filled with pain.' (Genesis 6:5-6).

When there is a breakdown between two parties, we sometimes use a mediator to represent the two sides and bring them back together. So in the breakdown between God and us, who is qualified to represent both sides? It could only be someone who is both fully God and fully human...

The good news is that Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified. The gospels speak of Him as both "son of God" and "son of Man", pointing us to the fact that Jesus is perfect God and perfect man.

He was there, with God, before the world was made; and yet He came into the world as a human to restore the lines of communication between people and God and to make possible a brand new relationship with our creator.

'For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God' (1 Peter 3:18).

In the ancient world names conveyed meaning. Jesus is the English translation of the ancient Aramaic word 'Yeshua', which means "God saves". A more contemporary paraphrase would be "God-to-the-rescue!" (Incidentally, Aramaic, a dialect of Hebrew, is the language that Jesus grew up speaking.)

God is life and light. Turn off the light and you're left in the dark. Take away life and you have death.

Imagine again, for a moment a man about to be sentenced in a court of law... The 'guilty' verdict is recorded and the judge has no alternative but to punish the man with the maximum sentence - a huge fine. He stands in the dock, stunned. But suddenly, the judge comes down from his seat, walks over to the man and hands him a cheque for the full amount of the fine.

God is the judge of our lives. And the evidence is clear enough: our thoughts, words and actions all prove that we're guilty of turning our backs on God, and failing to live by his instructions. The punishment we should receive is severe: separation from God, forever.

'He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power' (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

It's a sobering thought. But that's not the end of the story, thank God. Because, having judged us, God has stepped out of the dock and paid the price himself. He sent his only son, Jesus, to take the punishment we deserve, so that we don't have to serve that eternal sentence. Jesus died on a cross so that we can all be reconciled with God. The theologian John Stott refers to this as, "The self-substitution of God."

Such an amazing act shows us two things: first, how much God hates sin, and second, how much He loves us. God's only son was like the cheque, signed with his blood that puts us right with God.

'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 3:16).

The story does not end with Jesus' funeral, however.

Imagine you are walking down the street. You reach a point where the road branches into two and you don't know which way to go. Two men are lying there - one is dead, one is alive. Which one would you ask for directions?

Three days after Jesus died on the cross, God raised him back to life again. And Christians believe He is alive today. We can communicate with Him and find forgiveness, direction and purpose for our lives.

'But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him' (Acts 2:24)

Jesus is not physically present on earth today, but His Spirit is within every person who decides to follow Him. This Holy Spirit guides us and strengthens us and helps us in our relationship with God and with other people.

'When he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth' (John 16:13).

So, how can your relationship with God be restored? The answer is to look to Jesus. He is the only way to God. In fact, Jesus said these remarkable words:

'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' (John 14:6).

If we want to find the way that Jesus referring to, that will lead us into truth and help us live life to the full, we must take three, simple but life-changing steps towards God: we must admit, commit and submit

First, acknowledge that we are separated from God. Whether we have consciously rejected Him, or just ignored Him, we have to admit that we need a mediator who'll step in and mend our broken relationship. And we must admit, too, that we deserve punishment because of our sin.

As we look at what Jesus did on the cross for us, we see that He has taken the punishment we deserve.

When we commit our lives to Jesus, however, God forgives us and breathes new life into us. In the physical world, new life is created as soon as conception takes place. In the spiritual world, new life begins when you commit your life to Jesus. In receiving the Holy Spirit and the new life Jesus offers, you are, in effect, 'born again'.

It's one thing to admit that we have sinned and that we want to start afresh with God by committing ourselves to Him. It's quite another to live that relationship out, day by day. By submitting to God, we resolve to live, as God wants us to live.

As we allow God to work in our lives, we'll gradually be transformed into the kind of person He wants us to be. God doesn't want you to become someone completely different - in fact, He wants you to become more fully you: the person He created to be in the first place, with all the potential in the world to love God and love others as yourself!

But the way you do that is to become more like Jesus, too. That's the divine mystery - but the good news is that God doesn't leave us to handle this alone. It's not like turning over a new leaf or making a New Year's resolution. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives to guide and strengthen us everyday, to serve God.

If you want to begin a new relationship with God, then say these words as a prayer:

Heavenly Father I admit that I have not kept your commandments and lived as you created me to.

Lord Jesus Christ I commit my life to you. Thank you that you paid the price for my sins so I can be forgiven.

Holy Spirit I submit to your power. Come fill my life with your presence that I may live to the praise and glory of God.

Amen.

When we ask Jesus into our life, it's not the last step on the journey, but the first. We set out on a journey of discovery - pursuing the way of God through our thoughts, our words and our deeds.

Just as a plant needs light, oxygen and water to grow, so too, we need to get to know Jesus better by reading the Bible, growing in prayer and meeting other Christians at a local church.

Psalm 119:105 states: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path".

The Bible is a library of 66 books, in two parts - the Old Testament and the New. It's full of historical accounts, stories, poetry and song. Don't be tempted to think that only some of the Bible is relevant. It is God's 'word' and full of sound and vital advice!

'All scripture is God-breathed and is useful teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.' (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Old Testament teaches us that there is one, True God. It tells us about many different aspects of His character and shows us how to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

The New Testament starts with the gospels. The life and teaching of Jesus is presented from different perspectives by four of His disciples: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Next is the book of Acts, in which Luke explains how the Christian church started to grow. Then there are 21 letters, which were written to churches and individuals to guide them in the early days - they are as relevant to us as they were when they were written. The last book, Revelation, is an encouragement to look beyond the present to what God has in store for his people.

Reading and studying the Bible - using a contemporary translation such as the New Living Translation - will help deepen your understanding of God. It will develop and strengthen your character, and show you the person God wants you to be in today's world.

If you are not very familiar with the Bible, the Gospel of John may be a good place to start. It describes the life of Jesus, and some of the amazing things he did.

Prayer has been described as "The Christian's vital breath."

Jesus longs for us to have a deep friendship with him. The key to any relationship is communication, and we communicate with Jesus through prayer. Jesus' twelve disciples asked him how to pray, and in response he taught them a prayer still used to this day - the Lord's Prayer:

'Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one' (Matthew 6:9-13).

Try praying this prayer. As you pray, you might become aware of things you have done wrong since you last spoke to God. Acknowledge that you may have hurt Him, someone else or even yourself. Say sorry to God and you will receive His forgiveness.

'If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9).

This prayer that Jesus taught his disciples - what has come to be known as the Lord's Prayer - gives us a useful template. It shows that we can ask God to provide for us, to forgive us, and to keep us on the straight and narrow. It's not the only prayer we can pray, though, and prayer can take many forms. You can go for a walk, sit in silence or even take time to have a cup of coffee with God, like you would a friend.

Spend some time each day praying. You don't have to use long or special words - God will always hear you. However, as He knows what's best for us, He does not always answer our prayers in the way we expect. Sometimes God says 'yes', sometimes 'no' and sometimes the answer is 'wait.'

There's an old phrase about prayer that rings very true: 'Seven days without prayer makes one weak.'

Like water, the church - i.e. the worldwide community of Christians - is intended to bring refreshment to the soul. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome: "By God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed" (Romans 15:32).

When you become a Christian, you also become a part of the family of God. You don't have to go it alone! Belonging to a church, and a small group within it, will bring you in touch with other people who know Jesus and are part of the worldwide family of Christians. They can encourage you - and you can encourage them.

'Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another' (Hebrews 10:25).

In a church, you'll be able to worship God - to express the joy and gratitude that is in your heart. And you will receive teaching to stimulate your mind, to inspire you and to nourish and refresh you for the journey.

The church isn't like a great big warehouse, where we're packed off until we reach heaven. Instead, at its best it's a vibrant, creative place where we learn how to live as a community, where we learn to celebrate each other's differences. Most crucially it's a base for going back out into the world, to stand up for the poor, the oppressed and the downtrodden, as Jesus commanded.

So get involved! As well as joining some kind of small group, why not try to find some way you can help out - through Sunday School, the youth group, serving coffee or helping those in need?

Following Jesus is cruciform - cross-shaped.

Jesus stated, "If anyone would follow me, he must deny himself and take up his cross." (Mark 8:34).

It is really important to reflect hard on the implications of the commitment you have made, or might be about to make. This is no self-help, pick-and-mix spiritual solution designed simply to increase your sense of well-being.

In fact, it will not be long before you realise you are in a fight. The Christian life is not a bed of roses. The Devil, who is also called Satan and who represents all the forces of evil in the world does all he can to impede our relationship with God. There will be hard times, but these will produce character. Jesus did not promise an easy ride; He spoke about travelling along a 'narrow path', going against the flow of the world. But the good news is that He did promise to be with us, every step of the way.

"We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Romans 5:3-5).

Once we have committed our lives to Jesus, we can have complete assurance that our relationship with God is restored. It doesn't depend on our circumstances or even on our feelings. As Christians, this assurance comes from three places: from God (the Father), from Jesus (the Son) and from their spirit (the Holy Spirit). We need to remind ourselves of the following beliefs, which you might want to echo as you read them, in your heart.

1. The Word of the Father

We, as Christians, believe that the Bible is true and that God will keep His promises. He will never let us go.

2. The Work of the Son

We believe that, on the cross, Jesus took the punishment for our sin, dealing with it once and for all. His rising from the dead is proof of this.

3. The Witness of the Holy Spirit

The fact that the Holy Spirit helps us to pray and to call God 'Father' is a witness itself. We can be sure that the Spirit will help and protect us and bring us into God's kingdom.

It's like the legs of a three-legged stool. When all three legs are there, we are secure. So when you come up against hard times, persevere.

'I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 3:14).

If you admit that you need God, if you commit yourself to Jesus and submit to His ways, then life truly starts here. Jesus said that He came to bring us life, and 'life to the full'. It's an amazing journey - sometimes exhilarating, sometimes difficult - yet it's a journey that will bring us ever closer to God, our maker - and ever closer to becoming the people He created us to be.

As the ancient Latin blessing for a journey states 'Deus vobiscum' -
May God go with you.

Sited at: www.philotrust.com
Used by permission of Philo Trust