There are a lot of common misconceptions about Christianity, and probably the most common is that Christianity is about being good. Of course, the “commonness” of an idea has nothing to do with its accuracy. Christianity isn’t about being good. Not even close. It’s easy to be confused about this. After all, there’s a lot of talk in Christian churches about being good…and we should be good. But being good is really a side issue. If being bad is our problem, then being good would certainly be the answer…but being bad is not our problem. Our problem is that we are DEAD.
The Bible tells us that we all start out dead. Of course, we’re not physically dead…only spiritually dead, which is certainly the worst kind of dead. I laugh, I joke…come on, smile. Anyway, we’re told that dead is our natural state. That’s bad news, but that’s not the end of the story…Jesus told us that He came to give us life. There are dozens of verses in the Bible that indicate both our need for life and the fact that Jesus gives it. We (Christians, that is) were dead in our trespasses and sins and then made alive with Christ. We have passed out of death into life. Part of the Bible was written specifically to help accomplish this:
“…these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Jesus even identified Himself as “THE LIFE”. He also called Himself the bread of life…from heaven which gives life to the world. Sure, the Bible tells us to do good. There’s nothing wrong with doing the right thing…unfortunately, when people stop reading after those parts, they get confused. Because they stopped reading, lots of people think that being good or following the “rules” will get them into heaven. That’s just not so, and here’s a verse that proves it:
…if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.
Jesus pointed out that people who search for life won’t find it unless they’re willing to come to HIM for it. It seems pretty clear when you read the Bible…if the problem is simply that we are bad, the solution would obviously be to be good. The problem, however, is that we are dead…and the answer to being dead is certainly LIFE. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. It’s that simple. You’re dead. You need life. Fortunately, that life has been offered to you free of charge.
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