An Invitation to Relationship

Our relationships are the most important part of our lives. We are designed to love and be loved. Christianity is first and foremost about a relationship rather than rules, tradition, joining a church or philosophy. It’s about relationship with God through the Person of Jesus Christ. Our relationship with Him is designed to be the most fulfilling relationship we can have both here on earth and for eternity. In fact, without a relationship with Jesus we try to find fulfillment in the things the world has to offer (human love, sex, money, fame, power, etc.), but often end up disappointed.

God is both loving and just. He requires restitution and reconciliation when we hurt each other or Him by doing wrong things (sin). Sin undermines our relationship with Him. The rules and sacrifices described in the Old Testament were meant to be a foreshadowing of what restitution and reconciliation would look like. The rules helped us understand that we all do things wrong. The sacrifices represented what God would require for justice to be served. The problem was that we would never be able to keep up the sacrifices for all the wrong we do. But He already had a better plan in mind!

God eventually came to earth in human form as Jesus Christ to once and for all satisfy the requirement for justice by willingly dying on a cross. Jesus took the eternal punishment we deserve for the wrong things we have done. We may still pay an earthly consequence, but God can forgive us and restore our relationship with Him so that we can continue to live in His love and also spend eternity with Him after we die. The New Testament makes it clear that we have to do something to accept this gift that God offers. This is an act of faith. The disciple John writes, “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). Believing is putting our trust in Jesus. We trust that Jesus’ sacrifice pays our penalty for the wrong we have done. We trust that He loves us and wants a relationship with us. We invite Him to take His rightful place as Lord in our lives.

We can do this by simply talking to Him (that’s called prayer). When we do this with a sincere heart, He promises to give us this free gift of forgiveness and a new relationship with Him begins. Would you like to do this today? Go ahead and talk to Him now. We invite you to keep growing in your faith by attending services or joining a Connect Group or class at Christ The Rock.

If you would like to talk to someone about taking this important step Contact Us.

For more information you can visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.