Exploring christianity
Christianity is the world's largest religious faith. The birth of Jesus was so monumental that it split our reckoning of history into two parts: everything that has happened on our planet took place "before Christ" or "after Christ." As author Philip Yancey has observed, "You can gauge the size of a ship that has passed out of sight by the huge wake it leaves behind." So how do you explore Christianity?
First, determine what it is you’re looking for. Is it spiritual truth? Answers to life’s ultimate questions? A relationship with God so you can order your life accordingly? Or are you looking for answers to solve all your problems – instantly? Let’s take a look…
A well-known book call A Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck begins with this line “Life is difficult.” And that’s true, but it was not how God intended the world to be. The world has been damaged by evil. In the Bible we are told God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Genesis 1:31
But the first people chose to disobey God. This is called “The Fall.” And since that time everyone has made the same choice. A simple look at the world makes clear that evil is a part of living.
Maybe you’ve seen the verse from the Bible, John 3:16. "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."
This verse tells us that God loved us so much that He didn’t want us to live our lives separated from Him, with no one to help us face the hardships of this world. The Bible also tells us - "For the wages of sin is death…," Romans 6:23a. The penalty for our sin is death, eternal separation from the God who created us. But because God “so loved the world” He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sin by dying on a cross. The rest of Romans 6:23 says "…but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
Once we come to understand God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection God sends us into the world to help others understand this gift and what it means for them. John 20:21 says, "Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
As you explore Christianity here a few helpful suggestions:
Check out the Bible. We suggest you get yourself a good, modern translation that is easy for you to read and understand, such as the New International Version, New Living Translation or English Standard Version.
Come to terms with Jesus. Focus on Jesus, for He is the heart of the Christian faith. When we say "focus" on Him, we mean that you should come to terms with His identity. Here we have a man who walked the earth and claimed to be equal to God. No other major religious figure ever made that claim - not Buddha, not Mohammed, not Confucius. Only Jesus Christ claimed to be God in human form. Was He or wasn't He? This is the ultimate question you must come to understand.
Find a church that will let you start exploring where you are. In other words, find a church that will let you come where you are in your spiritual journey. Why attend a Christian church to explore Christianity? One reason is so that you can talk firsthand with people who are Christians. Listen to their stories, raise your questions, enter into a dialogue with them about their faith. Stafford Crossing Community Church is uniquely designed and impassioned to help you in this very way.
The author C.S. Lewis said "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important."
Are you ready to trust and follow Jesus?
First, determine what it is you’re looking for. Is it spiritual truth? Answers to life’s ultimate questions? A relationship with God so you can order your life accordingly? Or are you looking for answers to solve all your problems – instantly? Let’s take a look…
A well-known book call A Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck begins with this line “Life is difficult.” And that’s true, but it was not how God intended the world to be. The world has been damaged by evil. In the Bible we are told God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Genesis 1:31
But the first people chose to disobey God. This is called “The Fall.” And since that time everyone has made the same choice. A simple look at the world makes clear that evil is a part of living.
Maybe you’ve seen the verse from the Bible, John 3:16. "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."
This verse tells us that God loved us so much that He didn’t want us to live our lives separated from Him, with no one to help us face the hardships of this world. The Bible also tells us - "For the wages of sin is death…," Romans 6:23a. The penalty for our sin is death, eternal separation from the God who created us. But because God “so loved the world” He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sin by dying on a cross. The rest of Romans 6:23 says "…but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
Once we come to understand God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection God sends us into the world to help others understand this gift and what it means for them. John 20:21 says, "Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
As you explore Christianity here a few helpful suggestions:
Check out the Bible. We suggest you get yourself a good, modern translation that is easy for you to read and understand, such as the New International Version, New Living Translation or English Standard Version.
Come to terms with Jesus. Focus on Jesus, for He is the heart of the Christian faith. When we say "focus" on Him, we mean that you should come to terms with His identity. Here we have a man who walked the earth and claimed to be equal to God. No other major religious figure ever made that claim - not Buddha, not Mohammed, not Confucius. Only Jesus Christ claimed to be God in human form. Was He or wasn't He? This is the ultimate question you must come to understand.
Find a church that will let you start exploring where you are. In other words, find a church that will let you come where you are in your spiritual journey. Why attend a Christian church to explore Christianity? One reason is so that you can talk firsthand with people who are Christians. Listen to their stories, raise your questions, enter into a dialogue with them about their faith. Stafford Crossing Community Church is uniquely designed and impassioned to help you in this very way.
The author C.S. Lewis said "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important."
Are you ready to trust and follow Jesus?