About
“…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15)My Testimony
Have you ever had one of those moments where you pause amidst your busy life, look up to the sky and ponder on your existence in this universe? Why am I here? What really is the meaning of life? Is this it? Or is there really a spirit within me destined for an eternal dwelling place after this life?
I wondered on these things, and the thought of suicide entered my mind. With a barrel of a shotgun to my head, I thought: “Why not just end it all? What’s the point anymore? When I’m dead, I’m dead!”
The need to find a reason for living overpowered me. I began seeking religions, yet the only religion I kept rejecting was Christianity.
I was raised in the Catholic faith with it’s traditions. The traditional ways of Roman Catholicism caused me to jump to the conclusion that all of Christianity and the Bible were just a children’s fable written by men. I mocked Christians, and hearing them preach the Gospel angered me. But one day that all changed.
In my search for a purpose I opened up the Bible to read it. The words hit me in a way I never imagined. I began to question if the Bible was the truth. In my humility I prayed to Jesus concerning a sin that was plaguing me. A few nights after the prayer Christ appeared to me in a vision. His appearance was so real that I was speechless from shock. By the expression on His face, I knew He was upset with the sin I had committed. His eyes were shining so bright that even after the vision, they were still visible wherever I looked. It is similar to staring at the sun, and then closing your eyes and still seeing the bright circle behind your eyelids. The eyes of Christ troubled me. Never have I read about Jesus appearing this way. I prayed to the Lord and opened the Bible. I was then lead to the book of Daniel chapter ten where Daniel had a vision after fasting for many days. The following are the verses I read:
“I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.” (Daniel 10:5-6)
The phrase “torches of fire” in the verse stood out to me, and I knew that God had answered my prayer. Jesus also appeared in the book of Revelation in a similar way (Revelation 1:12-18 ). Continuing down the verses, I saw what the man in the vision said to Daniel:
“Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.” (Daniel 10:12)
I walked away from my pride and humbled myself before Him. I called out to Him and He came for me. The Lord wills you do the same. This is the Good news (the Gospel) and I would like to explain it more in depth—this same Gospel that has been preserved for thousands of years in the Bible, for mankind.
In order to understand the Gospel lets begin with who God is according to what Scripture teaches.
God Over All
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
God is the Creator of everything (Psalm 104:24). God created the angels. God created the universe. God created the earth. God created the plants. God created mankind in His image. God created all other living creatures.
God is One (Deuteronomy 4:35). There is no other true God, but mankind has created and worshiped many false gods.
God is Holy (Leviticus 20:26). He has never sinned and can not sin. He defines sin.
God is Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17). He has no beginning or end. He has always existed with infinite knowledge and will forever exist.
God is a Just Judge (Psalm 7:11). He is righteous in all of His judgments.
Those are just a few of God’s attributes. Now lets move on to the problem with mankind, why we have been separated from the all knowing Creator.
The Fall of Mankind
Mankind was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Man was created good without sin. God allowed the serpent (Satan) to tempt man, and man failed the temptation. They chose to sin against God. Mankind is now full of a sinful nature. Because of our sin we have been separated from God and have become enemies of God.
“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land…” (Genesis 6:5-7)
This includes you! You have sinned against God and are in need of a Holy sacrifice to pay the debt for your sin. But maybe you don’t feel you are a sinner in need of a Holy sacrifice.
Many people set their own standard of what a good person is, or they look at societies standards. But they ignore the standard of the only One who is good (Mark 10:18 ). God is good and He defines it.
I’m going to ask you some questions. Answer them honestly and see if you are a good person compared to just a few of God’s commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). I am not asking these questions to call you names or attack you.
Have you ever told a lie?
This includes white lies (Matthew 5:37).
If you have then you are a liar and the Bible says liars will receive the lake of fire which is Hell (Revelation 21:8 ).
Have you ever stolen?
It does not matter the value of the item. It can even be music illegally downloaded.
If you have then you are a thief and the Bible says a thief will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10)
Have you ever committed adultery?
Jesus says if you look at someone to lust after them you are an adulterer at heart (Matthew 5:28 ). Looking at someone lustfully of whom you are not married to is adultery. Watching pornography also falls under adultery.
If you have then you are an adulterer and the Bible says adulterers wil not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9).
Have you ever used God’s name in vain?
They are those that rhyme with “oh my gosh” or “gosh darnit”. Many people say these things without considering the seriousness of these words. Saying these words mean you are taking the name of God, the one who gave you all of the good things you enjoy in life, and using it in vain.
If you have then you are a blasphemer and the Bible says blasphemers do not have a part with God (2 Timothy 3:1-9).
Again, I am not asking these questions to call you names or attack you. I want you to realize with your own confession that you are a sinner in need of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
“Though I were righteous, my own mouth would condemn me; Though I were blameless, it would prove me perverse.” (Job 9:20)
Those were just a few of God’s commandments. Imagine how many others you have broken. If you were to receive God’s justice for those sins, you would go to Hell. But God in His love has made a way for you to be saved.
Redemption through Jesus
The Good News is God is love (1 John 4:8 ). He has created a way for us to be reunited to Him. God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, whom He loves so very much, into this world as our Savior from our sins. Jesus Christ was born through the Spirit by a virgin. He was the only person to ever live a sinless and pure life. He was an ultimate example of how mankind should strive to live.
The Father and the Son are One (John 10:30). This means Jesus is the ultimate example of who God is. Mankind, being evil, tortured and killed Jesus by nailing Him to a wooden cross. They killed God in the flesh! They hated Him and His testimony. Mankind unjustly gave Him the death that a sinner deserves. When Jesus died on the cross He bore all of our sins. Christ received the entire wrath of God that we deserve. He then defeated death by rising from the grave on the third day. This means His followers also will rise one day from the grave to live eternally with Him in Heaven.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Jesus now sits in Heaven waiting for the day in which He will judge the world.
“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
How to be Saved
Salvation has nothing to do with your good works (Ephesians 2:8 ). There is no number of good works you can do to please God. Salvation comes from having faith in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for you on the cross. Call out to God to save you from your sin! Repent! Turn away from your sin, into the way of the merciful Creator. But realize you will never live a perfect life like Christ did because your flesh is weak.
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
Although if you truly love God you will have a desire to turn from your sin and obey Him.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
You can learn His commandments by reading the Bible.
What Now?
Grow in the word of God and learn His will by continuously reading the Bible.
“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2)
Call out to God through prayer and walk with Him everyday as a child walks with his Father. The good thing is that He is a faithful Father who will never leave those that are His. Seek out a sound Christian Church and fellowship with believers, who will help you grow and stay focused on His will.
Cross to God
Life is short and fades away like a vapor.
“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)
You never know when you’re going to die. Someday you will face eternity. Where you spend it should concern you. Consider this message that has been revealed to you. Call out to the Lord! Seek Him while He can still be found!
For God is love, and it has been made evident through the death of His own Son. Who was sacrificed on the cross so that we may escape our bondage from this earth, and be reunited with Him in His Kingdom. It’s the Cross to God.
If you have any questions, concerns, or would just like to talk to me, feel free to contact me.
God bless and may the grace of God be with you in these last days!
Joseph
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Always. Love from above, /)arcul.