The following represents the summery of a true story. It is like many good stories you’ve heard or read, but the more you read, the more you’ll realize this is not just another story — it is the story. It defines us all. It provides thought-provoking reflection to who we are and life-changing insight to who we can become. And so…
How did it all begin? (The Creation)
God
The story begins with God, who has always been. He has always existed, and he has always existed exactly as he is now. If it seems confusing, it’s because he’s beyond what anyone can fully comprehend.
In the beginning, God spoke and everything came into existence. By his command, the entire universe was created and filled with a dramatic display of galaxies, stars and planets, including Earth, on which was a perfect garden of paradise called Eden. Of all the beauty he created, the highlight was a man and a woman. God made Adam and Eve in his image to reflect him, as they loved, worked, thought, felt and made decisions.
Harmony
During this time there was no pain, suffering, sickness or death. There was no need for forgiveness. By God’s design, all of creation was in harmony and exactly the way it was supposed to be. But then something tragic happened…
Adam and Eve, the first humans, were far from being equal to God, even though he lovingly placed them in charge of all he had created in Eden. One day, a fallen angel (named Satan), who desired to be like God, took the form of a serpent and told Adam and Eve a lie. He deceived them into thinking God was not good and did not have their best interest in mind. As a result, they knowingly disobeyed God and broke the only rule he had given: not to eat fruit from a specific tree. In rebellion, Adam and Eve decided that they, not God, would determine right and wrong.
The consequences of their actions were devastating! Similar to a virus, sin entered into all of creation and into the hearts of Adam and Eve. Suffering and pain were passed down from generation to generation; all of creation was distorted from its original design. We have all read or heard the stories of war, poverty, disease, greed and scandals, that plague our world today. Those are all a result of sin.
By understanding how perfect everything was in the beginning, we realize “we are far more flawed and far more sinful than we can dare imagine.” Just think of the grudges we’ve held, the thoughts we’d never dare to say aloud, the lies we’ve told. It takes just one honest glance into our own hearts to know the truth. We all are guilty. Everyone has sinned and the ultimate consequence, even worse than physical death, is eternal separation from a loving God, in terrible misery and unhappiness. Because of this, we need to consider the questions: Can anything be done? Is there hope?
God removed Adam and Eve from Eden as a result of their sin, but left them with a promise of rescue and hope. His promise was that one of their descendants would ultimately defeat sin. Unlike people, God always keeps his promises. Over the next centuries, God prepared the way for someone special, who would become the savior of the world. Throughout the Bible, exact details of his birth, life, and death were recorded many centeries before his coming. In fact, the whole Bible ultimately points to this one person as the focal point of all human history. So who was he?
Promise Kept
The promised savior, simply, was God. God became human in the person of Jesus Christ almost 2,000 years ago, and all the predictions in the Old Testament, made hundreds of years before, came true. Jesus’ birth was miraculous since his mother was a virgin. His life was unique; he never sinned. And, his death was sacrificial because he willingly, obediently, sufficiently and painfully died on a cross for the sin of mankind in the biggest act of mercy and grace the world has ever known. The perfectly innocent died for the hopelessly guilty. He took the place on a cross rightfully meant for us, to pay for sins we’ve committed and will commit against God. But the grave couldn’t hold Jesus. Three days after dying on the cross, Jesus emerged from his tomb, fulfilling his earthly mission to defeat sin just as God promised. Forty days later he returned to Heaven.
God has also promised he will make all things new. The new earth will be completely free of sin, completely full of God’s joy. No more ground-shaking earthquakes, devastating tsunamis or violent storms will plague the world. No more pain, broken hearts, sickness or death to trouble us. Everything will be restored to the way it ought to be. The earth will once again be the perfect home God intended for his creation.
Forever With God
The most wonderful part of this new world is that we will be with God forever. We will be restored to a perfect relationship with the one who created, loved and died for us. C.S. Lewis, scholar and children’s author, compared the first step into this new world as “Chapter One of the Great Story which no one of earth had read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”
God, the ruler of the universe, loves you. He knows exactly who you are. He knows that, like everyone else, you have sinned, but he doesn’t want that to stand in the way of a close relationship with you. It’s all about…
Faith
Faith is a simple trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you. It means instead of believing you can rescue yourself, you transfer your trust to him to save you through what he has done for you. He paid the price we couldn’t. Those who place their trust in anything other than Jesus will find themselves forever separated from the loving God who gave his one and only son to set us free from the bondage of sin. This painful separation is called Hell.
How did it all begin? (The Creation)
GodThe story begins with God, who has always been. He has always existed, and he has always existed exactly as he is now. If it seems confusing, it’s because he’s beyond what anyone can fully comprehend.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalms 90:2)Creation
In the beginning, God spoke and everything came into existence. By his command, the entire universe was created and filled with a dramatic display of galaxies, stars and planets, including Earth, on which was a perfect garden of paradise called Eden. Of all the beauty he created, the highlight was a man and a woman. God made Adam and Eve in his image to reflect him, as they loved, worked, thought, felt and made decisions.
Harmony
During this time there was no pain, suffering, sickness or death. There was no need for forgiveness. By God’s design, all of creation was in harmony and exactly the way it was supposed to be. But then something tragic happened…
What went wrong? (The Fall)
DisobedienceAdam and Eve, the first humans, were far from being equal to God, even though he lovingly placed them in charge of all he had created in Eden. One day, a fallen angel (named Satan), who desired to be like God, took the form of a serpent and told Adam and Eve a lie. He deceived them into thinking God was not good and did not have their best interest in mind. As a result, they knowingly disobeyed God and broke the only rule he had given: not to eat fruit from a specific tree. In rebellion, Adam and Eve decided that they, not God, would determine right and wrong.
No one is righteous, no, not one. (Romans 3:10)Consequence
The consequences of their actions were devastating! Similar to a virus, sin entered into all of creation and into the hearts of Adam and Eve. Suffering and pain were passed down from generation to generation; all of creation was distorted from its original design. We have all read or heard the stories of war, poverty, disease, greed and scandals, that plague our world today. Those are all a result of sin.
The entire world is guilty before God. (Romans 3:19 NLT)Need
By understanding how perfect everything was in the beginning, we realize “we are far more flawed and far more sinful than we can dare imagine.” Just think of the grudges we’ve held, the thoughts we’d never dare to say aloud, the lies we’ve told. It takes just one honest glance into our own hearts to know the truth. We all are guilty. Everyone has sinned and the ultimate consequence, even worse than physical death, is eternal separation from a loving God, in terrible misery and unhappiness. Because of this, we need to consider the questions: Can anything be done? Is there hope?
Can anything be done? (The Rescue)
Promise MadeGod removed Adam and Eve from Eden as a result of their sin, but left them with a promise of rescue and hope. His promise was that one of their descendants would ultimately defeat sin. Unlike people, God always keeps his promises. Over the next centuries, God prepared the way for someone special, who would become the savior of the world. Throughout the Bible, exact details of his birth, life, and death were recorded many centeries before his coming. In fact, the whole Bible ultimately points to this one person as the focal point of all human history. So who was he?
Promise Kept
The promised savior, simply, was God. God became human in the person of Jesus Christ almost 2,000 years ago, and all the predictions in the Old Testament, made hundreds of years before, came true. Jesus’ birth was miraculous since his mother was a virgin. His life was unique; he never sinned. And, his death was sacrificial because he willingly, obediently, sufficiently and painfully died on a cross for the sin of mankind in the biggest act of mercy and grace the world has ever known. The perfectly innocent died for the hopelessly guilty. He took the place on a cross rightfully meant for us, to pay for sins we’ve committed and will commit against God. But the grave couldn’t hold Jesus. Three days after dying on the cross, Jesus emerged from his tomb, fulfilling his earthly mission to defeat sin just as God promised. Forty days later he returned to Heaven.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18)But, the story doesn’t end there…
Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil age. (Galations 1:4 NLT)
How will everything end? (The Restoration)
All Things NewGod has also promised he will make all things new. The new earth will be completely free of sin, completely full of God’s joy. No more ground-shaking earthquakes, devastating tsunamis or violent storms will plague the world. No more pain, broken hearts, sickness or death to trouble us. Everything will be restored to the way it ought to be. The earth will once again be the perfect home God intended for his creation.
Forever With God
The most wonderful part of this new world is that we will be with God forever. We will be restored to a perfect relationship with the one who created, loved and died for us. C.S. Lewis, scholar and children’s author, compared the first step into this new world as “Chapter One of the Great Story which no one of earth had read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1, 4)This is the story from which all our longings for happy ending flow. It is not too good to be true because it is true.
God, the ruler of the universe, loves you. He knows exactly who you are. He knows that, like everyone else, you have sinned, but he doesn’t want that to stand in the way of a close relationship with you. It’s all about…
Faith
Faith is a simple trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you. It means instead of believing you can rescue yourself, you transfer your trust to him to save you through what he has done for you. He paid the price we couldn’t. Those who place their trust in anything other than Jesus will find themselves forever separated from the loving God who gave his one and only son to set us free from the bondage of sin. This painful separation is called Hell.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. (John 6:47)The moment you trust Jesus Christ, you become a child of God, and his spirit begins to live inside of you. All of your sins are forgiven and you find total acceptance before him. When you begin this relationship, Jesus promises to be with you through all the ups and downs, the joys and difficulties of this life. He loves you with an everlasting, unchanging love. And not only has he promised eternal life, but he came so that you could experience a life of purpose, fulfillment and freedom in him.
To view The Story in electronic for visit ViewTheStory.com
© 2009 Spread Truth Ministries, Inc.
© 2009 Spread Truth Ministries, Inc.
