MADE IN HIS IMAGE
Unlike other parts of creation, you as a human being – being made in God’s image (Genesis 1: 26) – can love, think, feel a whole range of emotions, reason, create, believe, hope, plan and you have an imagination, a sense of humour, a sense of wonder and so much more.
THE DEEP LONGINGS OF YOUR HEART
Because you were created to be in relationship with God – you also have a deep sense of longing in your heart to be loved, to belong and to live a life that has meaning and purpose.
These 3 desires are all part of an inbuilt sense that you have value. How much value does God place on you? – the life of His own Son freely given for you on the cross!
YOUR LONGINGS FULFILLED
God is love (1 John 4: 8) and His desire is that you experience His amazing, unconditional love. (Romans 5: 8) Jesus proved His love for you by giving His life for you to make this possible. God makes this promise to you in Romans 8: 38 – 39 – which says – nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
IN CHRIST YOU RECEIVE AND EXPERIENCE THE FULLNESS OF THE LOVE OF GOD !
When you receive Jesus as Saviour and Lord not only do you receive God’s love but you are brought into God’s family. (1 John 3:1) Romans 8:15b–16 – says – “You have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out ‘Abba! Father! ’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Abba = father in the more intimate sense that a child will say Daddy!)
IN CHRIST YOU ARE ADOPTED INTO GOD’S FAMILY AND YOU BELONG !
When Jesus walked on the earth, He revealed the true nature of God and demonstrated the reality of heaven here on earth through miracles, signs and wonders. When you choose to become a child of God, you are called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to partner with Him in continuing this work – that God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6: 10).
IN CHRIST YOU ARE CALLED TO A LIFE THAT IS MEANINGFUL AND WORLD-CHANGING !
YOUR FREE WILL
God also created you with a free will. He doesn’t want controlled robots nor can love be forced. So He invites you to exercise your free will and choose to accept His free love gift of salvation. Ephesians 2: 8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God. You don’t have to work for it or earn it – just receive it!
Through Jesus, God’s gift of salvation is freely available to you. When you choose to accept His gift you enter into the relationship with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – that you were created for. Then the deep longings of your heart will be met and you will understand the immeasurable value you have in Him!
See the next section – Making A Choice – to find out how.