At its core, Christianity is about having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Sounds simple enough, and deep and mysterious.
First of all, how can we have a relationship with God at all when He is invisible, and no one has ever seen Him? How does one begin any kind of relationship with someone like that, an unseen, all-powerful God?
The good news is that God has always reached out to us, offering us His love through Jesus Christ, His Son.
Who is Jesus, and why does He matter?
Jesus Christ is the very person who bridges the gap between us and God.
By Him, everything either stands or fails.
The Scriptures do not present Jesus as merely a teacher, prophet, or healer.
Jesus Christ:
- Spoke as someone equal to God
- Claimed authority to forgive sins
- Accepted worship
- Rose from the dead, according to eye-witness testimonies.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us
John 1:14 NKJV
If Jesus is really who He says He is, then He is not simply someone to admire, but someone to trust.
What is the problem Christianity addresses?
Sin.
The Bible does not mince words when it comes to explaining what sin is, what it doeas, and what it means for us.
Sin is heavy and problematic because it caused our separation from God. And continues to do so now, if we do not address it they way God has instructed in His Word.
For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.
Romans 3:23 NKJV
You’ve felt this, even if you couldn’t name it, that something in you, and in the world, is not as it should be.
So, there’s sin, but why did Jesus have to die?
This is one of the most difficult and important questions.
God says in His Word, the Holy Bible, that sin has consequences.
Christianity upholds that teaching.
When you sin, you suffer the immediate consequences of your actions, and you reinforce your separation from God. If you continue to sin, without taking God’s remedial actions, you will be permanently separated from God. Permanently, as in all eternity.
And God’s remedial action? He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die so that all of our sins are completely abolished.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NKJV
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, it wasn’t by accident. It was an act of love.
What does it mean to be saved?
To be saved means accepting God’s salvation.
And how you do that is by accepting, receiving and confessing, that Jesus Christ did die for your sins, and He is now your Saviour and Lord.
To be saved mean:
- God has forgiven your sins
- God has restored your relationship with Him
- God has given you new life that begins now and extends beyond death
God’s salvation, is not something we earn, it is something we receive.
What does it mean to believe?
It simply means trusting God.
In the Christian sense, belief is not merely agreeing with ideas or theology, it is trust.
You, placing your life, in God’s hands, however uncertain or scared you might be.
Sometimes your trust might burn like an inferno, sometimes it barely flickers, but it is enough to begin.
Do I have to change before I come to God?
No.
Don’t wait until you’ve “fixed” yourself, or attained some human-grade perfection.
Come to God as you are. God will handle the rest.
What happens after I believe?
l can tell you this: You will not gain perfection nor instant clarity.
But you will change, and you will grow.
And you will notice:
- That you are now more aware of God’s presence
- Your heart changing and being reshaped
- You see yourself and the world in a new way.
This is what the Bible calls the new life.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
And like every living thing, it grows over time.
What about my doubts and questions?
Bring them to God.
That’s right; tell Him what you’re not sure about. Be honest with Him because it’s all part of the process.
As you read the Bible, you’ll find that some of the most honest words there were expressed by people who were in that process of doubting God. They were unsure, questioning, and oftentimes downright scared.
Faith is not the absence of doubt. It’s when you continue to trust God in the middle of it.
What makes Christianity different from other faiths or religions?
Christianity alone teaches that God reaches out to you offering you His salvation plan.
No other faith or religion can say that. In fact, they all require in some form or another that you strive for salvation, that you work towards perfection in order to be saved.
That difference is everything.
Where do I begin?
Begin right where you are.
Begin right now, with your doubts and uncertainities, and simply talk to God.
Say something like this, “God, I don’t know if you’re real. But if you are, I ask You, in the name of Jesus Christ, please help me to know that You are real. In Jesus’s name I pray this. Amen.”
That’s it, but you must mean it, because God doesn’t play games. He always comes through.
If you still have doubts and questions, reach out anonymously throught the comments section below.
May the mercy and grace of God be with you. Amen.