Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You might be asking, "What God, who is His Son, and what's His Word?". Well, those are wonderful questions, but be prepared, for what you are opening yourself up to is mind-blowing, heart-melting, purpose-filled, and a life-giving plan that is revealed in His Word.
The Word of God is sometimes referred to as the 'Holy Bible.' How do we know it is the Word of the real God? There are a lot of gods out there, right? Islam has Allah, Buddhism has Buddha, Hinduism has Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, Atheism says "There is no God" and so on... This particular topic, on how the Word of God (Bible) is unique compared to all other books of religion out there, is an in-depth study and can fill volumes by itself. We have many such studies available here, but here is a short overview to start with:
The Bible is unique in its continuity. It was written over a 1600-year span during 60 generations and by more than 40 authors from every walk of life, including kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars, and others. It was written in a variety of places and customs during times of war and peace on three continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe) and in different languages.
With all that being said, it speaks with perfect unity and harmony, covering many subjects, a purpose, and a plan that started before time or creation existed. It covers the present and future events. The Bible has been circulated, read, and published in more languages than any other book in the world, and it has more manuscript evidence than any other literature in the world; it has even survived persecution. From Roman times to the present, people and governments have tried to burn it, ban it, and outlaw it. Despite all of this, the Bible is still around and flourishing. We could go on and on...
The on and on is available in other studies here on the site, but the most unique claim compared to any other written literature or religious writing is this: The Bible states that the one and only God of all things has a Son by the name of Jesus Christ, who created everything in our known universe and beyond. Creation is on an epic scale that we cannot even begin to comprehend but have a glimpse of because of His revealed Word. We find in Scripture that one of His creations was an angel named Lucifer. Because God is all-loving, He gave Lucifer wisdom, beauty, and free will, exalting him to a very high position in the heavens. Well, Lucifer decided he didn't need God and that, instead, he wanted to be God. This choice sent God's perfect creation into Chaos, and for the first time, sin came into existence.
God came to the rescue, though, and cleaned things up. He created a perfect garden on His earth for His new creation, Man, to abide in and care for, having been given dominion over the earth. Our all-loving God gave man the same free will as He had given Lucifer and His other heavenly beings: Man could obey His Creator or not. The man Adam also chose to disobey, only this time it was because of influence through his wife from Lucifer, now called Satan. This again throws Creation, as we now know it, into Chaos, transferring Adam's dominion over to Satan. Man's choice to disobey God brought sin and death into the human race and made the world and everyone in it the property of Satan.
God forces no one to love Him; however, there are consequences for our own actions and disobedience. These consequences are not from God but from the choices we make. God then had mercy on the earth and fallen man and set a plan in motion that would redeem man from Satan's kingdom and the deception that Satan had planted.
There was nothing that Adam or his descendants could do to redeem themselves from their fallen state. Mankind could not be good enough, say the right words, or do enough good deeds to remove the curse of death that he was now bound by. God so loved Adam and all his many children that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to pay the price of Salvation and take away the sin of the world. He was to live as a man, experience the same feelings we have, the same temptations, sorrow, and joy, and yet remain perfect and sinless.
Being God Himself in the flesh, He was able to take all of man's transgressions (sins) and death upon himself. He was nailed to a cross and experienced death for us. He was cut off from existence. He was dead for three days and three nights, but death couldn't hold him down. By the power of God, He was raised back to life, walked again among man, and ascended back into the heavens from whence He came and took back the Glory He had set aside. He is seated at the right hand of God and one day soon will Manifest in the Heaven of heavens and begin the restoration of all things and become He Who fills all in all.
So now you are left with a choice. Do you believe these Words?
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 3:16 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.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
There is nothing for you to do but believe. Remember, you can't say enough right things, do enough good deeds, dress a certain way, go to church enough times, or give away enough money. All you have to do is BELIEVE.
Remember: He Who is The Word of God and The Resurrection and The Life is the Free Gift.
