WHAT DOES FOLLOWING
JESUS MEAN?
1. Jesus saved YOU....
The Bible teaches us that God sent His Son in the form of man—Jesus Christ— to save us from sin (John 3:16). By accepting Jesus into your heart and allowing him to be Lord of your life, your sins are forgiven, you are reconciled back to God, and the separation caused by sin is removed, allowing you to live a life of freedom in Christ. This is the most important decision you could ever make!
2. What is sin?
Sin, by definition, is an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. Biblically, sin is when a person does something that is out of line with the perfect character and direction of God.
In Genesis 3, we see sin enter the world in the form of a serpent (Satan, or the devil), who throughout scripture continues to tempt the children of God to live in opposition with Him. God is holy and perfect in every way, and sin (which can also be described as simply “missing the mark”) is what causes separation between humanity and our creator. Humanity, therefore, is given the choice—to live a life in opposition to God, or, accept the great and redemptive plan of salvation through Jesus (1 John 3:8).
This is the reason we CELEBRATE! Paul echoes this fact, “…you live in joyous freedom from the power of sin. So consider the benefits you now enjoy—you are brought deeper into the experience of true holiness that tends with eternal life!” (Romans 6:22). Jesus saved us from sin to reconcile that separation originally caused at the beginning of Creation. We can hold fast and stand true and despite what the world may throw at us, Jesus has already covered us in His love and protection (John 16:33). And although this doesn’t mean times won’t be tough, choosing a life with Jesus means we are also choosing to resist sin.
How do we do this?
(For more practical applications, see “Practical Steps”)
In Genesis 3, we see sin enter the world in the form of a serpent (Satan, or the devil), who throughout scripture continues to tempt the children of God to live in opposition with Him. God is holy and perfect in every way, and sin (which can also be described as simply “missing the mark”) is what causes separation between humanity and our creator. Humanity, therefore, is given the choice—to live a life in opposition to God, or, accept the great and redemptive plan of salvation through Jesus (1 John 3:8).
This is the reason we CELEBRATE! Paul echoes this fact, “…you live in joyous freedom from the power of sin. So consider the benefits you now enjoy—you are brought deeper into the experience of true holiness that tends with eternal life!” (Romans 6:22). Jesus saved us from sin to reconcile that separation originally caused at the beginning of Creation. We can hold fast and stand true and despite what the world may throw at us, Jesus has already covered us in His love and protection (John 16:33). And although this doesn’t mean times won’t be tough, choosing a life with Jesus means we are also choosing to resist sin.
How do we do this?
- Remember the nature of God… (Ps. 100:3) We are designed to dwell with Him!
- Remember the blessings of obedience… (James 1:12)
- Remember the help of the Spirit… (John 16:13, 2 Timothy 1:7, Galatians 5:16)
- Remember His overwhelming love and forgiveness for you… (Psalm 86:5)
(For more practical applications, see “Practical Steps”)
3. Why did Jesus die for my sin?
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…”
The consequence or repercussion of sin is eternal separation from God (what satan has attempted from the beginning), and because sin and God cannot coexist, God knew he needed to do something about it. Jesus was sent to pay the ultimate price (Isaiah 53:5) and create a new covenant that allows us to dwell with Him intimately and personally.
Plain and simple. Jesus died for YOUR sins because HE LOVES YOU!!!!! This is a hard concept to grasp because the world we live in is conditional and merited—many things around us have to be earned or show some level of “I deserve this”. The beauty of God’s paradoxical Kingdom is it completely flips this theory on its head. There is nothing you can do to make God stop loving you, and there is no sin too great for God to forgive. God believes you are to die for!
The consequence or repercussion of sin is eternal separation from God (what satan has attempted from the beginning), and because sin and God cannot coexist, God knew he needed to do something about it. Jesus was sent to pay the ultimate price (Isaiah 53:5) and create a new covenant that allows us to dwell with Him intimately and personally.
Plain and simple. Jesus died for YOUR sins because HE LOVES YOU!!!!! This is a hard concept to grasp because the world we live in is conditional and merited—many things around us have to be earned or show some level of “I deserve this”. The beauty of God’s paradoxical Kingdom is it completely flips this theory on its head. There is nothing you can do to make God stop loving you, and there is no sin too great for God to forgive. God believes you are to die for!
4. How did Jesus overcome sin?
In order for Jesus to overcome sin, He had to be a perfect and blameless sacrifice. He was born into this world and endured every trial and temptation that humanity experiences, yet committed no sin. His innocence made him a worthy sacrifice to pay the price of sin. Peter teaches, “… Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed” (1 Peter: 2:21-24).
And finally, He overcame sin not just by dying on the cross, but resurrecting from His tomb on the third day! Jesus challenged all theory and logic of sin and death, creating a new covenant for all of us to live with Him in eternity.
And finally, He overcame sin not just by dying on the cross, but resurrecting from His tomb on the third day! Jesus challenged all theory and logic of sin and death, creating a new covenant for all of us to live with Him in eternity.