If It's True

Parables were introduced to us in the New Testament by Jesus. It may be that they were used by others before but not with the emphasis that Jesus used. He used them so often, he was asked why (MT 13:10). A parable is a short story about something common that has a second meaning. The second meaning may be something that is more difficult to understand or may be hidden. It is my belief that Jesus wanted us to begin looking for a deeper meaning to the scriptures, and that the Old Testament if full of parables. As we look into the Old Testament parables you will see that the Bible is very rich in wisdom and structure, much more than humanly possible to construct.

Some may have wondered what is the worst sin; the worst offense before God. Murder? Blasphemy? Inappropriate Sexual Relationships? Lust? Lying? Stealing? Extortion? Which is really the worst? If we knew, maybe we could feel better about ourselves, knowing we are not as bad as some others who have committed the worst. If we knew, maybe we could be better prepared to stay away from the 'big one'.

The devil tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, trying to get her to sin before God. Did he try to get her to do the worst sin? Let's look. When the devil came to Eve in the form of a serpent, he tried to get her to eat from the forbidden tree. He got her to consider doing what God said not to do. She looked at the fruit and human desire took over. The fruit looked good to eat, it could make her wise. She knew it was wrong, she even feared death. Her lust for the fruit became stronger than God's word to stay away from that one tree. There were many trees with perfect fruit. But this tree, and one stupid act of disobedience, separated Eve, then Adam and everyone after them from the perfect relationship with God, our Father.

Now, eating the forbidden fruit could be considered the greatest sin. But it's really something more than that... Disobedience. Yes we are all affected by Eve's disobedience, but, we are also disobedient. Some may not care what God says, don't care about what the Bible teaches and live anyway they choose. Then there are those who try to live good, to do the right things, to follow Gods word, and they still fall under disobedience. There are none who have not sinned through disobedience. Maybe you didn't murder, blasphemy, have sex outside of a proper marriage (between a man and a women), lust, lye, steal, etc. Or have you? Jesus said if we lust sexually, we have committed adultery. If we have hated someone we have committed murder. The Biblical writer James said, "if we know to do good and don't do it, it is sin". There is no human (other than Jesus) who has not sinned through disobedience.

We are all guilty. Before God we are all sinners. Before God the church-goer is as guilty as the murderer.

Where is the hope then? The hope is in Jesus. He lived a perfect, sinless life and gave himself as a ransom for our wrongs. If we accept him as our Saviour and Lord, we are forgiven. We are cleansed through the blood that he shed. Be obedient to God's Word and accept Jesus today. If it's true, and I know it is, your life will never be the same.

Here's my brief perspective on it from a Biblical viewpoint. God created us to have fellowship with Him, or to say we would have a good relationship. He set some ground rules which we didn't obey. That messed up the relationship. Yet, God still loves us and continued to watch over us and provide for us, even though we don't listen or do what is right. When we would really get out of line He corrects us.

It seems we can not stop messing up and many people don't care at all about what God says or wants. Yet, God still loves us and cares for us more then we can understand. The greatest example of His love is that He sent Jesus Christ into this world to provide a way for us to return to Him. We, by our nature, can never live well enough to return to the relationship we had with God in the beginning. Our good deeds can not erase our wrongs. Jesus, who was perfect in all ways, offered Himself in our place. He gave his life to pay for our transgressions. Yes, Jesus offers us a way to be totally forgiven and return to the relationship we had before with God. All we have to do is accept Him as our Saviour, acknowledging our sins, and asking for our forgiveness. And then starting a new life in which we strive to do Gods will by following the teachings and examples given to us by Jesus.

Don't be fooled to believe that just trying to be good will get you to heaven. You must accept Jesus as your Saviour with a full heart. If your not living your life according to the Bible and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, there is nothing else that can save you. Your religion will not save you, going to church will not save you. You must have your own relationship with God almighty.