We preach Christ crucified – 1 Corinthians 1:23

The Christians at Manor Road Hall believe that the Bible is the Word of God to humanity. God is totally perfect and we have all fallen short of this standard (Romans 3:23). Sin is not reaching this standard. Just one sin is sufficient to separate us from God forever (Isaiah 59:2).

He cannot have sin in His presence. This means that no-one can survive in their sinful state. However, God wanted men and women to be with Him, but the problem of sin had to be resolved.

God provided a wonderful solution. A just God required that all sin had to be punished and the appropriate punishment was death. But, rather than that sentence falling upon us who are sinners, He would provide His Son to pay the penalty (Isaiah 9:6).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son – John 3:16

About 2000 years ago the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, walked this earth for 33 years. He lived a totally sinless life before God, healing people and teaching them the truth about God’s view of sin, but they hated Him for it (1 John 3:5).

So strong was their hatred that they put Him to death; nailed to a cross; crucified.

What seemed to be a sad series of occurrences was actually God working the greatest event this earth has seen and ever will see. There on the cross God’s wrath against sin was placed upon Jesus (1 Peter 2:24), the sentence of death that was due to us, the sinner.

But God had not finished His plan. Another great event was about to take place.

He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures – 1 Corinthians 15:4

The life Jesus lived and death that He had suffered completely satisfied God. This meant that He had the right to live again, and so three days after He died, He rose again. God had totally dealt with sin and provided the possibility of new life for all.

Have you come before God and acknowledged that you have fallen short of God’s perfect standard? Have you let Jesus take the punishment for your sins and accepted this new life?

Are you willing to confess that Jesus’ sacrifice is the only way of dealing with your own personal sin? Have you given up your sin and looked to God for help?
Are you prepared to let Jesus Christ take control (Romans 10:9) of your life? God has revealed the depths of His love to give us all hope, depths that man cannot fathom. The least you can do is to give your life to Him.