WHY DO WE NEED JESUS?
KEY POINTS
- Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that everyone has sinned and has fallen short of God’s perfect standard.
- God sent His son, Jesus, to be the perfect sacrifice and atonement for the sins of all men, who accept him.
One major objection to Christianity brought up by people who are not Christ followers is the idea that Jesus was simply a man who existed thousands of years ago and his life or teachings do not really have any impact or effect on my life in any way. This belief is caused by a very skewed misunderstanding of who Jesus is and how he is significant to the life and eternity of all mankind no matter when they lived.
A person will never understand the significance of Jesus or the impact of what Jesus did unless they also understand the reality and seriousness of sin. The bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that everyone has sinned and has fallen short of God’s perfect standard. What does this mean? It means that for all time you and I can no longer be in the presence of a perfectly holy God because we are unholy and unclean. This also means that since we are eternal beings, we will spend eternity apart from God in a place that is ruled by sin, death, and forces of darkness unless something can be done about our problem of sin.
When a person grasps the serious implications of sin, only then can they begin to appreciate and have gratitude for who Jesus is and why we need him. We need a savior, and unlike every other belief system which has ever existed, Christianity stands alone in saying that you cannot save yourself. The problem cannot fix the problem. The only solution to the problem of sin and its effects is the fact that Jesus came and paid the price of death which was meant for you and I. Through Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we can once again be in right standing with God because of the blood which Jesus shed on the cross. Jesus didn't have to die for us, he chose to, and in the same way we do not have to accept the free gift of Salvation, but we can either choose to accept or reject it.
No one will force you to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, or force you to follow him. This is a decision that only you will make. However, we are not free from the consequences of our choices. Ultimately, we get what we want, whether that is spending eternity in the presence of God or spending eternity outside of the presence of God…and that is why we need to accept Jesus.
A person will never understand the significance of Jesus or the impact of what Jesus did unless they also understand the reality and seriousness of sin. The bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that everyone has sinned and has fallen short of God’s perfect standard. What does this mean? It means that for all time you and I can no longer be in the presence of a perfectly holy God because we are unholy and unclean. This also means that since we are eternal beings, we will spend eternity apart from God in a place that is ruled by sin, death, and forces of darkness unless something can be done about our problem of sin.
When a person grasps the serious implications of sin, only then can they begin to appreciate and have gratitude for who Jesus is and why we need him. We need a savior, and unlike every other belief system which has ever existed, Christianity stands alone in saying that you cannot save yourself. The problem cannot fix the problem. The only solution to the problem of sin and its effects is the fact that Jesus came and paid the price of death which was meant for you and I. Through Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we can once again be in right standing with God because of the blood which Jesus shed on the cross. Jesus didn't have to die for us, he chose to, and in the same way we do not have to accept the free gift of Salvation, but we can either choose to accept or reject it.
No one will force you to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, or force you to follow him. This is a decision that only you will make. However, we are not free from the consequences of our choices. Ultimately, we get what we want, whether that is spending eternity in the presence of God or spending eternity outside of the presence of God…and that is why we need to accept Jesus.
BIBLICAL REFERENCES
...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
For 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
TRUE NORTH COLLEGE COURSE
Doctrine of Salvation & the Church | Biblical Studies 114
A systematic study of the doctrine of salvation (soteriology) and the doctrine of the Church (ecclesiology). Special attention will be given to the plan of redemption and the contents of the gospel message as it is seen in the incarnation, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Special emphasis will be on the nature and working of the kingdom of God. The Gospels and Jesus’ teachings will serve as the specific source of the study.