Romans 6:23 is a great summary of the central theme of the Bible. It says: For the Wages of sin is death but the The Gift of God is Eternal life through Christ Jesus, our Lord. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Notice how the diagram below, which uses every key word in this verse, contrasts the importance of what God has done for us through Christ, and what we could accomplish without him. Do you notice the contrasts between what a Wage is, and what a gift is? Between who God is, and what sin is? Between death and separation from life and God, and what eternal life is? Find the contrasts below. _ _ _ _ _THROUGH_ _ _ _ _ / _____ \ / | O | \ / | U | \ / | R | \ _________________ _________| |__________ __________________ WAGES ||__CHRIST_ __JESUS___|| GIFT | ---------| |-----------| SIN | | L | | GOD | | O | | DEATH | | R | | ETERNAL LIFE | | D | | (people) | | | | (God) | | ! | | |___| Do you see how the Bible teaches that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and his resurrection from the dead -showing him to be the Lord of Life- bridges the gap which we could never bridge for ourselves? He takes the death we deserve for sin, and offers life eternal to those that rely on him as Lord. But how does one receive this wonderful gift of eternal life in Christ? Note again the diagram below. Hear _ _ _ _ _Believe_ _ _ _ Receive _ / _____ \ _ / | O | \ o | U | > o -| | R | + _______^_________ _________| |__________ _________^________ WAGES ||__CHRIST_ __JESUS___|| GIFT | ---------| |-----------| SIN | | L | | GOD | | O | | DEATH | | R | | ETERNAL LIFE | | D | | People | | | | God | | ! | | |___| Through We need to receive Christ as our Lord. The Greek verb for trusting or relying, is pronounced -pisteuo- and it is also translated "faith" or "believe". It is a more intentional thing than wishful thinking or what is called "wish fulfillment." The diagram above uses the words "Hear, Believe, Receive" to make the Bible's point. It is illustrated in the Scriptures with the analogy of marriage. Before one is married, one HEARS about their special acquaintance. They converse and HEAR each other out. Note on which side of the gap between God and us, "hearing" is on. Then as trust is building, each potential spouse begins to trust and believe that the other person is the one they could commit-to for a loving relationship for life. Note that the relationship for life and that full-trust has not been made yet, but it is getting close. Then at the marriage, each receives the other unto themselves, saying "no" to all other potential spouses and gives the full trust. That is what the Bible means by faith. It is asking Jesus to come into our lives and making him our unrivaled first love. Our primary and unrivaled Forgiver. Our primary and unrivaled Leader. What the scriptures term our "Savior" and our "Lord." This is possible because of Jesus' many, many uniquenesses, and by merit of his forgiveness granting cross, his conquerering of death, and his identity as the most humane of all humans, and as the Lord God who created and sustains us in our new life. Have you trusted/received Jesus into your life? You can do so by simply asking him to forgive you, and to help you refuse all others and cling only to him as your Leader. Ask him to come into the core of your life and to begin to change you and empower you to live as he would have you live. Then thank him for hearing you and for promising, as he has that "he who comes unto me, I will in no way cast out." (John 6:37) Hear _ _ _ _ _Believe_ _ _ _ Receive _ / _____ \ _ / | O | \ o | U | > o -| | R | + _______^_________ _________| |__________ _________^________ WAGES ||__CHRIST_ __JESUS___|| GIFT | ---------| |-----------| SIN | | L | | GOD | | O | | DEATH | | R | | ETERNAL LIFE | | D | | People | | | | God | | ! | | |___| Through You will find that the relationship will deepen, as any relationship does, by spending quality time together, getting to know each others family, talking and listening to each other, and explaining each other to others. So, how does one swing that? Simple and without anxiety. Talk to God as friend, in prayer. Use your own words. Listen to God by reading his book (the Bible) and I'd recommend beginning with the book of John as it is all about Jesus. We get to know God's family by going to a Christ honoring, Christ proclaiming church. Like all warm and caring relationships, we talk about them with others, so tell people naturally about what Jesus is doing in your life and experience, perhaps from things you hear him say to you from prayer or his book. These four things (prayer, Bible reading, fellowship in church, and telling others) will help the intimacy to grow. I'd love to hear if this presentation helped you to make that decision, and am willing to send you some helpful resources. Just e-mail jbw@iquest.net and address your e-mail to me, Joe Whitchurch. By the way, if you've questions or objections to this presentation, I'd enjoy hearing those too. If Jesus becomes YOUR 1st Love, it will be because He Loved you First and gave himself up on the cross for you, while you were yet one more future rebel in need. When we talk of this kind of love, we go far beyond the sentimentality of Valentine's Day to what Steve Winwood seems to long for in his song asking for "a higher love". Receive Christ today, you'll never regret it! Joe B Whitchurch jbw7@earthlink.net