Recently, I have friends and colleagues asking me what the is bible all about? What is this thick book trying to say to me? Ths book which has been the international best-seller since the beginning of the printing press. This book which has been translated into 2,000 over languages. This book which have transformed lives, from the very depths of sin, to being renewed, changed persons.
For one, the bible contains the truths of Christianity. The two go hand in hand. If ever the bible is found to be in defect, false, heretical, so would Christianity. If the bible is attacked, it would be equivalent to be saying that Christianity is attacked. This is true conversely. Attacking Christianity would be tantamount to attacking the truths of the bible. One might argue that certain christian churches are performing acts that deviate from the bible, but we would not go into that in this entry. The theme in this entry is to bring out the truths in the bible and a broad summary of it, that we can have a overview of the bible. The statement can be similarly interpreted as to bring out the truths of Christianity and to have an overview of Christianity.
Let's begin with our overview of the bible and I sincerely hope that anyone who reads this entry would read it till its end though it may be a little long.
The bible first tells us that God created the heavens and the earths. In six days, he created everything, the galaxies, the stars, the mountains, the seas, the animals and of course the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. During then, everything was perfect as there was no sin the world.
Shortly after, Adam and Eve are tempted by the devil and as a result, sinned against God. They started to make clothes for themselves when they realized their shamefulness and initially hid from God about their sin. But the all knowing God was well aware of what they had done.
From then on, sin entered the world and man was struck with sickness, suffering and death. Calamaties, labour pains, ill intentions between man, crept into the world. But God had already a plan of salvation for man's sin. Indeed, the main theme of the bible is this, that man's salvation from sin lies in the redemption by Jesus Christ. We shall go into that later.
The descendants of Adam and Eve soon populated the world. Though they had sinned against God, God still loves man dearly and preserves them. However, in most cases, man did not reciprocrate this love. Time and again, man rebelled against God. Man worshipped other gods, indulged in immoral acts, harboured ill intentions against one another.
The genealogy of Adam thus continues as such, Adam, Cain ... Abraham. The father of the Jews or Israelites. God's chosen people.
Brought forth repeatedly in the bible is man's sins. The sins of God's chosen people, the Israelites, are especially brought out several times in the bible. Israel's rebellion against God, worshipping other idols, indulging in immoral acts like homosexuality, sacrificing babies to idols, orgies incurred the wrath of God who promised to bring judgement upon them. This message was brought to them through prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and more.
God's judgement indeed came, and Israel was punished. They were invaded by enemies and the population was dispersed till the ends of the earth. But God was faithful, He had promised a covenant with Abraham that Abraham's descendants' would be as plentiful as the sand in the beaches and the stars of the sky. Israel soon came back from exile, and returned to their homeland.
A central theme in the bible is the problem of sin. The bible is not a goody goody book that tells of sugar, spice and everything nice. Rather, it explicitly reflects the depths and downfalls of sin that man has committed so severly. Some examples include, Cain murdering his brother Abel, David lusting after Bathsheba and then plotting the murder of her husband Urius, Ananias and Sapphira deceiving the apostles just to name a few.
The bible teaches us that "For all men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. All men have sinned. Sin is not restricted to murder, being jailed, rape, etc. When we lust, when we are full of pride, when we gossip, when we deceive, when we hate, we have sinned.
When I was young,a tuition teacher who was a christian asked me, "Have you ever told a lie?". I answered "No." She replied, "Now that is a lie." All men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Now almost all religions recognize sin, and that sins have to be cleansed. And many teach that to cleanse sins, we have to do good. The onus is on us. A huge burden is placed on us. We are constantly reminded to do good, to do good. But how much good is considered enough? What is good? How much good should I do to hit the benchmark? While doing good, are we committing the sin of pride? Are we self deceiving ourselves?
The bible teaches us that the only to salvation is believing that Jesus Christ died for our sins. Romans 3:24 "and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Reading Romans 3:23-24 together, "For all men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
The only way to salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, that he died for you, for me, on the cross.
The above statement is the central theme in the New Testament of the bible, which contains the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), Paul's epistles and other letters as written by close friends and disciples of Jesus.
Now why does it matter that we gain salvation? Its everything that matters. Without salvation, man is separated from God eternally. To be placed in a place where no one would like to be.
Philippians 3:20 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Salvation through Jesus Christ bridges the gap between God and man. We are no longer separated from God by sin.
The gift of salvation by God incurred a heavy price. God did not spare His son even till the point of his death because he loved us too much. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whomever believed in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." The good news is that, by God's grace, this gift though bought at a heavy price, is freely available to you and me, "that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
Believing in our hearts, that Jesus is Lord, and that he resurrected, we will be saved. This is the salvation the bible teaches. Salvation is not gained by attending church, doing good, singing hymns, etc... but by (and I say again), "that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
I think that the above pretty much summarizes the main message of the bible. There are many other revelations recorded in the bible, prophecy regarding the end times, and a pretty big porton on how one should live his/her life according to God's will.
On a personal note, I would like to take this further...
When Fleming discovered penicillin, he wanted it to be used to saved lives. Similarly, one does not hesitate to recommend a medicine that cures another's sickness. The good news of Jesus's salvation have been repeatedly propagated over hundreds of years. Many lives have been martyred for this truth. All this in the sake to bring forth this good news to the lost. John Newton, wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace", with the lyrics, "I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see." John was a christian and he wanted to share this wonderful news with you, that today, we are no longer burdened by sin. Jesus said "Come to me all who are burdened and weary, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11-28.
What would be your decision today? To go God's way or continue living in your way?
I invite you to say a simple prayer if you would like to receive Jesus's gift.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for loving me and dying on the cross for my sins.
I have sinned and gone my own way. Please forgive me of my sins, come into my heart and be the Lord of my life today and forever.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
God promises to those who believes in Him, "Whoever comes to me, I will never drive away." John 6:37
"I am with you always." Matthew 28:20
"I will never leave you." Hebrews 13:5
It would be my greatest joy if you are introduced to this wonderful saviour today. Even if you might be still doubt, its ok. With warmest regards, I invite you to come into closer contact wth the bible. And I pray and hope that this entry has indeed helped you come closer to the Christian truth.
From the deepest of my heart,
Jason
p.s.: please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to know more.
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