Many Christians are facing difficulties understanding the ''New
Life'' God has given to ''us'' through his son Jesus Christ. The Bible
says in John 3:16-17 ''For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to
condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.'' From
this scripture, we can draw two very important aspects about God; his
love and purpose for mankind.
Taking a close observation at the relationship the Israelites and God had in the early times, then we can clearly see that God was a little bit hard on the children of men. Like the ''flooding of the earth with water'' and the ''destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire''. But on doing this, God saw that the children of Israel became afraid of him. We can find this in Exodus: 20:19 ''And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.'' And this was not his purpose of love for mankind. To change this, and fulfill his purpose of love for mankind, God had to send his only son to die for man.
When Jesus came to us, and was doing his earthly ministries, he said in Mathew: 5:17 ''Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill.'' What exactly is Jesus communicating to us here? He is saying he didn't come to say that the Israelites didn't have to move all the way to Jerusalem to get their sins forgiven nor is he saying the 10 commandments never existed. What Jesus meant when is said this was, He came to summarise and make Christian life easier and more comfortable. He did this by reducing the 10 commandments to one ''Love your neighbor as yourself'' and then he thought us how to pray. ''Our father who art in heaven...''
God is no more in Mountains nor is he in the ark that could only be found in Jerusalem. God now lives in you (your heart or soul) and the new channel in reaching him is in Jesus Christ. The words of the Lord Jesus in John 14:6 clearly emphasizes this: ''...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.''And you don't have to kill animals any more when you wrong God. The Bible says in 1 John 1:9 ''If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'' Just confess your sins with a sincere heart and he will forgive you.
Taking a close observation at the relationship the Israelites and God had in the early times, then we can clearly see that God was a little bit hard on the children of men. Like the ''flooding of the earth with water'' and the ''destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire''. But on doing this, God saw that the children of Israel became afraid of him. We can find this in Exodus: 20:19 ''And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.'' And this was not his purpose of love for mankind. To change this, and fulfill his purpose of love for mankind, God had to send his only son to die for man.
When Jesus came to us, and was doing his earthly ministries, he said in Mathew: 5:17 ''Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill.'' What exactly is Jesus communicating to us here? He is saying he didn't come to say that the Israelites didn't have to move all the way to Jerusalem to get their sins forgiven nor is he saying the 10 commandments never existed. What Jesus meant when is said this was, He came to summarise and make Christian life easier and more comfortable. He did this by reducing the 10 commandments to one ''Love your neighbor as yourself'' and then he thought us how to pray. ''Our father who art in heaven...''
God is no more in Mountains nor is he in the ark that could only be found in Jerusalem. God now lives in you (your heart or soul) and the new channel in reaching him is in Jesus Christ. The words of the Lord Jesus in John 14:6 clearly emphasizes this: ''...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.''And you don't have to kill animals any more when you wrong God. The Bible says in 1 John 1:9 ''If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'' Just confess your sins with a sincere heart and he will forgive you.
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