God Desires a Relationship with You
God and Creation
God created you, and He wants a relationship with you. How can we be sure of this? Let’s turn to the Bible, God’s Word, for answers. The Bible says that long before He created people, God existed. He decided to create the heavens and the earth and all of the living creatures on the land and in the water.
God finished His work by creating the first man (Adam) and woman (Eve). He created them in His own image, and He created human beings without sin. Because of this God enjoyed a relationship with them. Adam and Eve lived in perfect harmony with all of God’s creation, and they lived in sweet fellowship with God.
For reflection read Genesis chapters 1 and 2.
Human Beings and Sin
One day Adam and Eve tested God’s relationship with them. Satan came to them in the form of a serpent. He questioned God’s goodness by tempting Adam and Eve to break God’s only commandment. Satan tempted them to disobey God and eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They succumbed and ate the fruit. Immediately, the first human beings knew they had sinned against God. Their relationship with God was broken by sin and altered forever. All of creation would suffer under the curse of sin. Everyone who lives after Adam and Eve will suffer from the consequences of sin.
Sin separates everyone—including you—from God because He is holy. Only people who are without sin can enjoy a right relationship of peace and fellowship with God. Because of Adam and Eve’s original sin, God’s relationship with all of humanity was altered forever.
For reflection read Genesis chapter 3.
Jesus and Redemption
Even though the story of Adam and Eve took a dark turn, the Bible offers good news. God provided a way for people to be forgiven and restored to a relationship with Himself. Human beings can live in peace with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
God sent His Son, Jesus, into our sin-cursed world. He miraculously was born of a virgin, Mary. Jesus grew to be a man, He gathered disciples and He shared the good news of God’s Kingdom. Although many people believed Jesus and had their relationships with God restored, the religious leaders of the day wanted Him silenced.
Jesus’ enemies hated Him. His sinless life and authoritative teaching convicted them of their sins. His righteousness exposed their hypocrisy. Eventually His enemies had Jesus arrested on false charges. They tried Him and perverted justice. They beat His frail body and mocked His words. Finally, they crucified Jesus because He claimed to be the sinless Son of God.
Shortly after Jesus’ death on the cross He was buried in a stone tomb. For three days His body lay lifeless, sealed in the grave. However, on the third day, God the Father, the Creator, who is more powerful than Satan or our sins, raised Jesus from the dead. The Bible says that Jesus appeared to over 500 people after His resurrection!
For reflection read John chapters 3, 18, 19, 20 and 21.
You and Reconciliation
What does the story of God and creation, human beings and sin, Jesus and redemption mean for you? It’s straightforward really. God created you. Because of Adam and Eve’s sin you too are a sinner. Your sin separates you from a relationship with God. Ultimately, sin leads to death and separation from God in eternal punishment.
Sin, death and separation are the bad news. The Good News is that we have hope in Jesus! Jesus Christ, God’s sinless Son, died on the cross for your sins. He took the punishment you deserve for your sin upon Himself. Jesus rose from the dead to declare that He has power over sin and death. Finally, Jesus ascended to heaven to live with God forever.
Your only lasting hope in this broken, sinful world is through Jesus. The Bible says that whoever repents of their sin and believes in Jesus will be forgiven and have eternal life. By turning from your sin and believing in Jesus, you will be reconciled with God and live in a loving relationship with Him forever!
For reflection, consider a few questions.
• How would you describe your relationship with God?
• Why does your sin separate you from God?
• How can your relationship with God be restored?
• Why did Jesus take the punishment you deserve for your sin?
• How can you acknowledge your sin and ask Jesus to forgive you?
Are you ready to acknowledge God as your Creator, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, declare your faith in Jesus Christ, and ask God to save you?
For reflection read Romans chapter 10 verses 9-13.
If you have asked Jesus to forgive you, would you let us know? We would love to pray for you and thank God for you. You can email us at whitcombministry@gmail.com
Now that your relationship with God has been restored through Jesus, God wants you to grow in your relationship with Him and develop relationships with other Christians. A Bible-believing and teaching local church in your community will provide you with teaching from the Bible and connection with other followers of Jesus.
God created you, and He wants a relationship with you. How can we be sure of this? Let’s turn to the Bible, God’s Word, for answers. The Bible says that long before He created people, God existed. He decided to create the heavens and the earth and all of the living creatures on the land and in the water.
God finished His work by creating the first man (Adam) and woman (Eve). He created them in His own image, and He created human beings without sin. Because of this God enjoyed a relationship with them. Adam and Eve lived in perfect harmony with all of God’s creation, and they lived in sweet fellowship with God.
For reflection read Genesis chapters 1 and 2.
Human Beings and Sin
One day Adam and Eve tested God’s relationship with them. Satan came to them in the form of a serpent. He questioned God’s goodness by tempting Adam and Eve to break God’s only commandment. Satan tempted them to disobey God and eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They succumbed and ate the fruit. Immediately, the first human beings knew they had sinned against God. Their relationship with God was broken by sin and altered forever. All of creation would suffer under the curse of sin. Everyone who lives after Adam and Eve will suffer from the consequences of sin.
Sin separates everyone—including you—from God because He is holy. Only people who are without sin can enjoy a right relationship of peace and fellowship with God. Because of Adam and Eve’s original sin, God’s relationship with all of humanity was altered forever.
For reflection read Genesis chapter 3.
Jesus and Redemption
Even though the story of Adam and Eve took a dark turn, the Bible offers good news. God provided a way for people to be forgiven and restored to a relationship with Himself. Human beings can live in peace with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
God sent His Son, Jesus, into our sin-cursed world. He miraculously was born of a virgin, Mary. Jesus grew to be a man, He gathered disciples and He shared the good news of God’s Kingdom. Although many people believed Jesus and had their relationships with God restored, the religious leaders of the day wanted Him silenced.
Jesus’ enemies hated Him. His sinless life and authoritative teaching convicted them of their sins. His righteousness exposed their hypocrisy. Eventually His enemies had Jesus arrested on false charges. They tried Him and perverted justice. They beat His frail body and mocked His words. Finally, they crucified Jesus because He claimed to be the sinless Son of God.
Shortly after Jesus’ death on the cross He was buried in a stone tomb. For three days His body lay lifeless, sealed in the grave. However, on the third day, God the Father, the Creator, who is more powerful than Satan or our sins, raised Jesus from the dead. The Bible says that Jesus appeared to over 500 people after His resurrection!
For reflection read John chapters 3, 18, 19, 20 and 21.
You and Reconciliation
What does the story of God and creation, human beings and sin, Jesus and redemption mean for you? It’s straightforward really. God created you. Because of Adam and Eve’s sin you too are a sinner. Your sin separates you from a relationship with God. Ultimately, sin leads to death and separation from God in eternal punishment.
Sin, death and separation are the bad news. The Good News is that we have hope in Jesus! Jesus Christ, God’s sinless Son, died on the cross for your sins. He took the punishment you deserve for your sin upon Himself. Jesus rose from the dead to declare that He has power over sin and death. Finally, Jesus ascended to heaven to live with God forever.
Your only lasting hope in this broken, sinful world is through Jesus. The Bible says that whoever repents of their sin and believes in Jesus will be forgiven and have eternal life. By turning from your sin and believing in Jesus, you will be reconciled with God and live in a loving relationship with Him forever!
For reflection, consider a few questions.
• How would you describe your relationship with God?
• Why does your sin separate you from God?
• How can your relationship with God be restored?
• Why did Jesus take the punishment you deserve for your sin?
• How can you acknowledge your sin and ask Jesus to forgive you?
Are you ready to acknowledge God as your Creator, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, declare your faith in Jesus Christ, and ask God to save you?
For reflection read Romans chapter 10 verses 9-13.
If you have asked Jesus to forgive you, would you let us know? We would love to pray for you and thank God for you. You can email us at whitcombministry@gmail.com
Now that your relationship with God has been restored through Jesus, God wants you to grow in your relationship with Him and develop relationships with other Christians. A Bible-believing and teaching local church in your community will provide you with teaching from the Bible and connection with other followers of Jesus.