Puzzle.
Puzzle of the heart? Puzzle of life? Puzzle of love?
That's what life mostly is, isn't it? Putting in the pieces. Along the way, we'll fit in a few and there's that temporary contentment. Soon though, it runs out. We are never satisfied. We never settle down. We get frustrated and confused. Why am I feeling so empty?
Like an empty paper, we fill our life with colours. We try everything - ranging from partners, partying, money and more. We do all that, picking up the pieces life has to offer and stick it on, hoping it fits. But eventually it all comes down to nothing. There's still that little bit of emptiness.
You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain. But you feel it. You've felt it your entire life. That there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is but it's there, like a splinter in your mind driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?
- Morpheus in The Matrix
- Morpheus in The Matrix
Maybe you've tried everything, but have you tried God?
"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." - Colossians 1:16 (NIV)
God created us. He made us in his image. Even when man invented computers, there was a purpose. Surely God created us for a purpose! In God, life has a meaning!
You'll ask, "What makes you say that?".
Well, let's start from the beginning, shall we?
You'll ask, "What makes you say that?".
Well, let's start from the beginning, shall we?
Adam and Eve were the first two humans on Earth. God made them and put them in Eden. It was paradise! Man didn't need to work for food or crave luxury. Everything was there, ready and provided for. God made that place perfect for humans to live in, ETERNALLY.
Yes. God created us to live forever.
That was where sin came in. Sin means to defy or disobey God. And that's what Adam and Eve did (the full story is in the Bible, the book of Genesis). God had no choice but to throw them out of Eden. From then on, humans are ridden with sin. It's in our very flesh. Sin lives in us.
Think about it, have you ever found it hard not to be resentful? But have you ever found it easy to forgive and forget?
Heaven is a perfect place, and God is a perfect God. There is not a single speck of imperfection in heaven or in God. Therefore, we humans who are not perfect, cannot enter heaven nor can we be in the presence of God. No one is perfect, right? So, if we who are imperfect goes to heaven, how can heaven be perfect? An imperfect heaven is not heaven.
By God's standard, even a little wrong makes us undeserving of heaven. We must be 100% good to qualify! The reason we accept the world's mindset of good is because no one could qualify, no one could achieve God's idea of good! Hence, the bar has been lowered. Like in major exams, if everyone failed, wouldn't the passing mark be lowered?
Yes. God created us to live forever.
That was where sin came in. Sin means to defy or disobey God. And that's what Adam and Eve did (the full story is in the Bible, the book of Genesis). God had no choice but to throw them out of Eden. From then on, humans are ridden with sin. It's in our very flesh. Sin lives in us.
Think about it, have you ever found it hard not to be resentful? But have you ever found it easy to forgive and forget?
Heaven is a perfect place, and God is a perfect God. There is not a single speck of imperfection in heaven or in God. Therefore, we humans who are not perfect, cannot enter heaven nor can we be in the presence of God. No one is perfect, right? So, if we who are imperfect goes to heaven, how can heaven be perfect? An imperfect heaven is not heaven.
By God's standard, even a little wrong makes us undeserving of heaven. We must be 100% good to qualify! The reason we accept the world's mindset of good is because no one could qualify, no one could achieve God's idea of good! Hence, the bar has been lowered. Like in major exams, if everyone failed, wouldn't the passing mark be lowered?
We are also not allowed into heaven because of justice. God cannot leave our sins unpunished. A God without justice; what kind of God is that?
So, at this point of the post, we can conclude that all of us are doomed forever.
Ah... But. There is always a but.
Then came, JESUS CHRIST.
So, at this point of the post, we can conclude that all of us are doomed forever.
Ah... But. There is always a but.
Then came, JESUS CHRIST.
"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)
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born." - Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (NIV)
God came down in the flesh as Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human. He chose not to use his rights as God but instead lived as a human, open to the temptations and trials of human life. He went through life as a sinless man and then, he sacrificed himself as prophesied thousands of years ago.
He was sacrificed on the cross. A sinless man was punished for a sin that was not his own, but the sin of the world. He was punished for us. Heaven is no longer impossible, because Christ died in our place.
Justice was fulfilled.
Now Christ offers his hand to us. If we believe in Him, God is willing to tear our book of life, full of sins, and fling it into the deepest oceans. Never again will He set eyes on it. He will welcome us into his arms and embrace us, forever.
There is only two things to do at this point, to believe or not to believe?
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God died in our place and was punished for us. Though it costed him a hefty price, he offers the gift of salvation to us for free! There is nothing we can do to buy such a thing. It is - priceless.
If you are ready to receive Christ into your life, there's only a simple prayer.
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God died in our place and was punished for us. Though it costed him a hefty price, he offers the gift of salvation to us for free! There is nothing we can do to buy such a thing. It is - priceless.
If you are ready to receive Christ into your life, there's only a simple prayer.
"Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in Heaven for me. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life. In Jesus name I pray, amen."
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To know more, contact us via our site chat-box or by attending Petra Gospel Centre. You can also contact our group leaders for more information (list under "The People").
