09/09/2008 by Andrew.

Hi Smokie,

Good question.

Out of all the religions in the world how can i know that christianity is the true way, and if it is the true way, then why are there so many different versions (denominations) all supposedly based upon the same book and yet all different.

All religions (including lots of supposedly ‘christian’ ones) except true Christianity are based upon what we have to do to be acceptable to God. ie. they are works oriented. If you know of one that is’nt let me know because i don’t know of any. People hope that thier good works will outweigh the bad ones in the final reckoning. Christianity stands alone in its proclaimation that there is nothing that we can do to contribute towards our reconciliation with God. The best that we can achieve falls far short of God’s requirements. To understand why, we need to appreciate God’s character.

God is love - that is - He loves His creation with a perfect unselfish love. BUT God is also Holy – that is His righteousness is flawless – He is morally perfect. His standards (law) therefore are the same, as they reflect His character. When we measure ourselves against this standard you can understand how every human falls far short. Breaking God’s commandment (law) brings death, and this is what happened to Adam. As we all descend from Adam we inherit this same inclination towards wrongdoing and so death came upon the whole human race. So where does God’s love (mercy) and His requirement for perfect obedience to His law meet.

The answer is in Jesus the messiah (or Christ). Jesus is God the Son. The Son of the Father who has every attribute of God, AND Jesus is also The Son of man. He was born into this creation as a mortal human being. Jesus is the God / Man, (fully human and fully God) and as such He is the interface between a Holy God and sinful man. Jesus lived a life on this earth without wrongdoing (sin), He did not break God’s Holy law. Because of this it became possible for Jesus to bridge the gulf between us and God.

God’s LAW states that sin brings death – that is the shedding of blood - because the LIFE is in the blood. God’s MERCY says that He has found a substitute in another - the perfect human being – Jesus. Is this fair and just? YES because as one sinful man (Adam) brought sin and death into the world so one sinless Man (Jesus) can remove the curse of sin - which is death - from every person. When Jesus Holy blood was spilled by the scourging, the thorns, the nails and the spear it had the power to atone for every sin committed, by every human being throughout all time. This substitution is God’s answer to our problem, and the place where His holiness, justice, love and mercy meet.

All that God requires from us is (1) to Repent (turn from our own ways to God’s ways) (2) Put our trust (faith) in Jesus finished work and not in our own works. (3) Be baptised in water for the forgiveness of sins. God’s promise to us is that He will give to us the gift of His Holy Spirit who will lead us into all truth and enable us to live out our repentance and allow Jesus to become not only Saviour but also Lord too.

Acts 2:37-39 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Yep – we are all far from perfect and I mess it up every day in one way or another but the blood of Jesus continues to atone as long as we continue to trust in Him. “If any man sin we have an advocate (defending attorny) with the Father - the MAN Christ Jesus”. “If we confess our sin He is faithful to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

If you read the first two chapters of Job in the Bible (as suggested) you will read how Satan approached God to condemn Job, acting as the prosecution. Now WE have a defending attorny who represents us before the Judge (God) who must judge us according to His Holy Law. Jesus stands for us as our defence if we trust in Him. His answer to satan’s accusations is to present His own blood and plead the substitution. The rightious Judge must proclaim - not guilty - a ransom has been paid!

Now to answer your question. My answer is - a question - did Mohammed or Budda or any of the other chappies of the other religions die for you and me? This is why Jesus is the ONLY way to God all the others are FALSE WAYS designed by God’s enemies to lead people away from the Truth. Only Jesus died in our place to atone for our sins – no one else…..!   I truly believe that if I had been the only sinner on this earth Jesus would still have come and died for me alone. Thats how much He loves me and He does not love you any less. How can we not respond to such selfless love?

At the great white throne judgement when the dead – small and great are resurrected, people will be judged according to their works but this will not decide whether they are cast into Gehenna – the lake of fire - and suffer the ‘second death’. This decision is based solely upon whether their names are written in the Lambs book of Life – do they belong to Jesus.

It is never too late for a person to repent and put their trust in the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world’. While you have breath in your body there is hope, but if you die in your sins then there remains only judgement and despair. “It is appointed unto man but once to die and then the judgement”. God does not want anybody to miss THE WAY but the choice is ours. He say’s, “Today I have set before you the Way of Life and the way of death – THEREFORE CHOOSE LIFE”.

Lots of love.

Andrew.

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09/09/2008 by sue.

Happy 24th BirthdayFrancis for the 5th. I am so very very sorry that I forgot to post you on here. (Not to mention the card I didn’t post). I said not to mention that!!

Hope you had a great day and that you are enjoying being a dad again to your new baby daughter.

See you on Friday and then I’ll be able to smother you with belated birthday kisses!!!!!

lots of love from your old Auntie Sue xxxxxxxxx

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09/09/2008 by sue.

Hi everyone, I am back as it is another busy month for this branch of the family tree. So busy I have already forgotten one event but will come back to that.

Today I want to say Congratulations to Amanda and Andy who are celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary. My baby sister married for all that time. Unbelievable!!!

So have a great day both of you. Enjoy your evening with the spag bog washed down with champagne and strawberries. (They have a taste for the high life these days ( when they can)!!!)

 Here’s wishing you many more years together filled with happiness and contentment. (and holidays in the sun)

See you soon.

Lots of love from all the family

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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