Ordinary Eve
Becoming a Christian
Our Father God loves each and every one of us because He created us, but He also is completely just and perfect. Worshipping a God that wouldn't right those things we instinctively recognise as wrong would be a deeply unsatisfying and frightening experience. But it leaves us in a difficult position - because we recognise that our we also are imperfect and that sinful selfish nature separates us from God. Worse - if God is perfect and has created the universe then there is never going to be a way for us to return to Him because we are so far from perfect.
Not good. And often a source of pain. If that's you, that's ok you aren't alone. And there is good news.
Because He is also full of love and compassion for each of us individually He knows that each of us have gone our own way, like sheep who have got lost, and He longs for us to return to Him. the only way he could make a bridge to us without destroying the very justice that makes Him God was to send his son, Jesus, to give us a way back. He died in our place, voluntarily suffered the punishment that we deserve, and then was resurrected. We don't have to try to be good enough for God, we just need to admit our guilt, ask His forgiveness and acknowledge that Jesus has paid the price for us - accept the gift as it were. Becoming a Christian involves making a choice - by putting our trust in Jesus and inviting Him into our lives we can enter a relationship with God and live for Him. Life won't suddenly become easy but, through God's Holy Sprit, you can enjoy His presence, power and security, now and always.
So to sum up, Christians are not goodie goodie, 'holier than thou' types. We are just people who recognise our need of Jesus and are forgiven. It's because God first loved us that we can love Him and it's because we love Him that we want to serve Him. So the 'loving your neighbour and doing goos' bit flows out of love and gratitude to our Saviour. The good deeds are not what make you a Christian, they are the fruit that comes from loving God.
And if you want to change your life right now all you have to do is ask God to come in and change it for you. Find a quiet place and be still. Then talk as if to a friend.
In order to find out more, please click on our link to the Alpha website to find a church in your area that is running one of these introduction to Christianity groups. The link to Church Net will give you information about churches generally.
