God’s way leads to thriving.

The Bible is filled with God’s basic instructions for living and explanations for why living that way leads to human thriving.

Here is a summary.

 “If you follow God’s commands you do this one thing, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” But if you keep biting at one another you, watch out or you will consume one another and destroy each other.” – Galatians 5:14-15

But we can’t do it alone.

We try to live this way, but we can’t do it. We are captive to our own fears and selfish impulses, so they get in our way.

Jesus came to break us free by doing what we could not. He lived a perfect life, died, and rose again to save us from ourselves.

• Perfect life and death: Jesus, who was tempted in all the ways we are yet never sinned, gave Himself as a substitute for humanity's sins. 

• Resurrection: He was resurrected from the dead, triumphing over sin and death. 

• Salvation: His death and resurrection provide forgiveness for sins and reconciliation with God for anyone who believes in him. 

• Transformation: Anyone who believes in Jesus is reborn into a new relationship with God, filled with hope, peace, and purpose. 

Jesus described Salvation and Renewal this way.

“Humans give life to their children. Yet only God's Spirit can change you into a child of God.” – John 3:6

 “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16  

The Bible writers couldn’t do it without God either!

The Apostle Paul wrote much of the New Testament. First, he experienced the Gospel! Here is Paul’s salvation story.

“I don’t really understand myself – why I act the way I do, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the (very) things I hate…….

 … I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my own mind, and this power makes me a prisoner to the sin that is still within me and controls me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me—rescuer me— from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 

Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”  

– Romans 7:15-25

Anyone can receive Christ’s offer!

It does not matter what a person has done in the past. If they turn to Jesus and mean it, they are forgiven.

“I do not condemn you. Go and sin no more.” — John 8:11

Some people say it is unfair for people with certain sins to be forgiven. Jesus disagreed.

“Jesus told him this story: ‘A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”

“That’s right,” Jesus said.’” — Luke 7:41-43

Paul had been a murderer before Jesus cancelled his debt and offered him a new life.

Knowing the full weight of what God had done for Him is part of what motivated Paul to tell others about Jesus.

“My work is to tell the good news about God’s great kindness.” — Acts 20:24.

When we turn to Jesus, He rescues us completely (Luke 19:10), redeems our lives completely (Titus 2:14), restores us into a family relationship with our creator (Colossians 1:21-22), and even renews our minds and hearts (2 Corinthians 5:17) so we can live differently than before!

On top of that, He gives us His presence and power to do good, meaningful things with our lives (John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 9:8).

“You (like me) once were alienated from God, entangled by foul thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. But His Son became a human and died for your sake. God has made peace with you. Now, He sees you as without blemish so no one can accuse you.”  — Colossians 1:21-22

In Christ, we become blessings instead of curses!

• In our homes

• Among our friends

• In our workplaces

• In our communities.

“You are God’s poem, born on purpose for good purposes in Christ Jesus.” — Eph. 2:10

“Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead (in our new life and purpose).” — Philippians 3:13

That is the Good News of Jesus!