GRACE BIBLE CHURCH

Note: This is module 5 in a series of 5 which has been guest-written by Al Provost, a member of Grace Bible Church. Al has a passion for Jesus Christ, and especially for answering challenges to the truthfulness of Christianity. Visit his website at www.ProJesus.com.

What is the “Greatest Gift in the World?" 

If Jesus was an ordinary man, and He claimed to be Divine and God, then surely He was a liar and a lunatic. If that is the case, then all Christians should be pitied because they believe lies and are completely lost spiritually.  What remains is the proposition that Jesus is the Lord God, Savior and Creator of the universe.  Jesus Christ was crucified for “who He said He is” not for anything He did!  The Bible quotes Jesus saying, “The Father and I are One”.   

The evidence shows that the Bible is an inerrant document.  What was so profound about what Jesus said?  He said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no-one comes to the Father (God) except through me (God the Son).”  This was not some casual statement.  Jesus said it as fact.   

Jesus is God incarnate!  God the Son!  If we want glorious eternal life, it comes through Jesus.  Through the Gospel, which is the power of God, for the salvation (eternal life) for everyone who believes (in Jesus) and repents (turns away from sin).  

There it is, the Greatest Gift in the world, “Eternal Life” (Salvation).  

WHY did Jesus say these things?  Because Jesus wants all to know the joy that is found in knowing Him.  That pure “joy” is WHY Christians share Jesus with friends, relatives and strangers. 
 

Because Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, many think of Christians as intolerant.  However,  Jesus commanded His followers to spread His word to all nations.  Jesus told us to love Him and to love others.  WHY did Jesus say these things?  Because Jesus wants all to know the joy that is found in knowing Him.   That pure “joy” is WHY Christians share Jesus with friends and relatives.      

The Christian’s assurance for everlasting life after death is based on the “faith” that Jesus Christ died for our sins and we will be with Him in heaven.  Other religions require “works” in order to be “good enough”.  Within these two options lies a world of difference.  Let’s look into the difference.  Say, all other religions and cults are right and Christianity is wrong.  It seems to me that if I, as a Christian, naturally do “good” for others and the community I will be “good enough” to go to heaven or where ever one goes after death.  So, it appears I will be O.K. along with folks from other religions.   However, if Jesus is God, and if Christ is the “Way the Truth and the Life” then the Christian is doing what God (Jesus) said to do and will be with Jesus, in heaven, after death. 

What about the person who has heard about Jesus and rejects Him?  Can you say for certain what will happen to that person’s soul?   

What is a Christian?

I have mentioned Christianity a number of times.  Just what is it that makes a person Christian?  Well, there are five basic beliefs:

1. Believe that the Bible is from God and is without error.

2. Believe the “trinity” and that Jesus is the one true God. 

3. Believe in the virgin birth and other miracles in the Bible.

4. Believe that Jesus, God the Son, died on the cross for our sins.

5. Believe that Jesus rose from the dead, is alive today and will return as King over all creation. 

It doesn’t hurt to believe in Jesus.  But I wouldn’t want you to accept Him blindly.  Therefore, ask the Lord Jesus to reveal himself to you.  Jesus is alive today and He wants you and I to have a personal relationship with Him.  WHY?  So we can love Him and be with Him for eternity!   

Here are a couple of questions to get you thinking. If you would like to discuss these questions, or what is written above, please email Al at .

1.  Again, what is the greatest gift in the world?  In other words, “What can Jesus do for us?”  Explain!   

2.  Is any one of the “Basic Beliefs” for being a Christian more important than the others? 

Additional Reading:

The Bible
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
More Than A Carpenter, Josh McDowell
The Stones Cry Out, Randall Price
What is Creation Science?, Henry Morris
Essential Christianity, Walter Martin
Know Why You Believe, Paul Little
Is the New Testament Reliable?, Paul Barnett