THE BIG PICTURE

These are the essential elements of my core beliefs.

“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 NIV)

THE BIG PICTURE:

God created time, space, the universe, and everything in it.
God created mankind in his image and intended us to have a close relationship with him.
Each of us has rebelled against God, and we continue to do so – this is sin.
No matter how hard we try or what we do, we can never make up for our sins or make ourselves right with God.
God is holy and just, so we deserve condemnation.
But God is also merciful and loving – so he has implemented a plan to save us.
The plan culminated in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We are saved not by anything we can do, but by believing that Jesus is Lord (=God, deserving our obedience) and Savior (=he paid the price for our sins).
God sends his Holy Spirit to dwell in us (individually and collectively, i.e., the church) so that his “kingdom may come, and his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Christ will come again to eradicate Satan, evil, pain, etc…
Those who believe will live eternally with God in a close relationship with him.

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?

This is no mystery! Jesus told us exactly what would please Him the most:

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 10:27, NIV)
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13, NIV)

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