Who We Are
All of our existence points to this very basic question. It is knit into the fabric of our souls. A very desperate search for meaning is inevitable for all who breathe oxygen. Who are we?
First of all, you are made in the image of the living God [1]; carefully crafted and designed to know intimately the Creator of the universe. Your need for Him supersedes all other needs and can NEVER be satisfied outside of a personal relationship with Him. He loves you as a Father [2], and desires to show that love to you in every way.
But the real question is: do you know Him?
I'm not talking about saying grace at the table or thanking Him in acceptance speeches. I'm not talking about going to church, trying to be a 'good person' or helping out in the community.
It's not enough to simply do good; never has been, never will be [3]. God is not interested in your moral achievements any more than you are interested in a relationship with a machine because it is productive. But He is interested in YOU; Flesh and bone, wounded, broken, human... you.
When God created mankind, He created us to be in relationship with Him. And the very first couple, Adam and Eve, experienced that communion in a physical and spiritual way. [4]
But God did not force His love upon man without allowing the ability to reject that love. And that choice came with consequences. Severe consequences. [5]
Adam and Eve, seduced by none other than the first rebel against God, the fallen angel Satan, destroyed the most perfect and pure relationship ever known in a few selfish moments [6]. And sin was born.
Since that time, man has been subjected to physical death. And pain and suffering, the lovechild of sin and rebellion has prevailed upon those who live on the earth. [7]
We may not be responsible for the first sinful choice, but we carry on that same rebellious, hard hearted rejection of God's authority that was seen in the Garden of Eden. [8]
I don't need to tell you that this world is messed up. And it's not just because of poverty, famine, natural disasters and sickness. It's also because of man's evil tendencies; murder, rape, torture, corruption, deception, jealousy, hatred, all flowing from the hearts of men and women who are hopelessly lost. [9]
So we can see that the relationship is torn. God cannot be in relationship with unholy, sinful beings. Like water and oil can never mix, so sinners cannot dwell in God's presence because He is holy. [10]
God was grieved by this. So much so, that He decided He would do Himself what we could never do. Restore that relationship. God always acts according to His attributes. For God who is perfect, cannot leave sins unpunished, as it would make Him less than perfectly just. But He is also merciful to all His creation.
Jesus Christ, God incarnate, was born into the world with one purpose: to die a sinless sacrifice for humanity; paying the penalty, and satisfying God's demand for justice and love.[11] He did so, then rose from the grave because He defeated death. [12]
He now reaches out to you. Not with hands holding a tally sheet of wrongs, desiring to destroy you; but with scarred hands that beat death to give you grace. But you MUST accept it and repent of (or turn away from) your sins. For He will not save those who do not desire to be saved. Those who reject Him will experience eternal death. [13]
So you are either on one side of redemption or the other. But the good news is, it is never too late to cross over from death to life. Without Him our trajectory is destruction, but that won't stop God from giving you eternal life if you ask Him. [14]
Jesus said:
"Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." -John 5:24
Think about it.
To learn about our role in God's plan read:
DEFINING OUR ROLE
Scriptural references:
[1] Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13
[2] 1 John 3:1
[3] Isaiah 64:6, Psalm 51:16-17
[4] Genesis 2
[5] Romans 6:23
[6] Genesis 3
[7] Ecclesiastes 2:23
[8] Romans 3:23
[9] Matthew 15:19
[10] Ezra 9:15
[11] Isaiah 53:5, Hebrews 10:12, John 3:16
[12] Matthew 28:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:14
[13] John 3:36, John 3:16-18, Acts 3:19
[14] Acts 2:21