As a Christian writer, I believe in God the Father, the all-powerful Creator and author of my life’s story. I believe in his son and my personal savior Jesus Christ. I believe in the Holy Spirit.
I also believe the words of the Holy Bible are God’s words, without mistake or omission. God inspired certain men throughout early time to record his message to creation. (2 Timothy 3:16) Believing my holy and awesome God created everything we see and even what we cannot see, I also believe his sovereign power protects his message and delivers it intact throughout history. (Matthew 5:18)
Only through careful study of his written words can I know Him and myself better. The bible teaches who he is and what he asks of me. His words convinced me I am a wretched sinner. (Romans 3:23) In failing to keep his commands, I betray him. Because He is perfectly holy and just, he cannot tolerate the blight of sin. I have no hope of meeting my eternal purpose–to know my God and enjoy relationship with him–unless He finds me blameless. As a consequence for my sin, I deserve to be separated from his glory and goodness forever. (Romans 5:12; 6:23)
That is the bad news.
However, God’s book holds a story of redemption and one I most passionately believe.
The good news is God provided a hero to save us!
God the Father, seeing the brokenness of humankind, sent his only son Jesus to pay the price for my sins and yours. Jesus, being God in the form of a man, lived a life only God could live, perfect and sin-free. (1 John 5:4) Then, he offered himself as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Christ died a brutal death by crucifixion to absorb God’s holy wrath, which was justly warranted for our rebellious sins against him. (Romans 3:25-26)
Why would God choose to suffer his own wrath for a bunch of unfaithful humans? For the same reason he created us in the first place–he loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. (1 John 4:9-10)
There is more good news in Christ’s story. Not only did he come to pay the price for our sin, he rose from the dead. His dead body was buried in a tomb on a Friday, and by Sunday morning, Jesus was alive, walking and talking to his followers! (Matthew 28) By conquering death, Christ gives a firm foundation for my belief in his promise that we too can enjoy eternal life. (2 Corinthians 4:13-14)
The only thing God asks in exchange for never-ending life is that we believe in his son Jesus. God tells us through the apostle Paul, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in you heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Because I believe Jesus is the risen Lord, God forgives all my sins and sees Christ’s righteousness in me. (2 Corinthians 5:21) By faith in Jesus, I can call myself a child of God and claim my inheritance–eternal life with him. (Galatians 3:26; Hebrews 9:15). This hope I have in Christ is the source of my joy forever!
Faith in these things came by hearing and reading God’s message. (Romans 10:17) As a Christian, I seek to live my life in harmony with his book, depending on the help of his Holy Spirit. He’s called me to repent of my sin and follow Christ’s example, not to earn eternity with God, but because I love Him as my Lord and King. Through the Bible, he compels me to share this good news (Matthew 28:18-20) and equips me for this job. (2 Timothy 4:17) When I use the talents and gifts he’s given me as a writer to advance his kingdom, I glorify him. (1 Peter 4:10-11) Again, these things I do, not to earn my salvation or to make up for the bad things I’ve done, but out of love and appreciation for all the Lord has done for me. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Like the apostle John, I write to share the good news of Christ, for doing so makes my joy complete. (1 John 1:2-4)