At BMAC we believe that Jesus is the most significant person in history, and that he died in our place and rose again to bring us forgiveness and new life. He is vital for our lives today and into eternity. The Bible tells the story of God’s sacrifice of his son Jesus for the people he made and loves deeply.
“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ dies for us!” Romans 5:8
What does it mean to be a sinner, and why would Christ need to die for us? The concept of “sin” is not just “being a bit naughty”. Our biggest problem is how we’ve related to God, and the serious consequences for this.
God made us.
God provides for us.
God is the source of every breath.
God is the reason the sun comes up in the morning.
God loves us!
And how do we, as a human race respond?
We ignore God. Oppose God. Fail to thank God. Refuse to listen to God. Forget we depend on God.
“When they had pasture, they became satisfied; they were satisfied, and their hearts became proud. Therefore, they forgot me.” Hosea 13:6
This attitude toward God is described as sin, and the Bible describes people who sin as sinners. No one escapes this description. Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). The consequences for this are very serious - the Bible explains that the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Everyone who sins deserves the death penalty. This presents God with a terrible predicament. God is just and God is loving. When we are wronged or observe wrong doing, we demand justice. And yet, when we are do wrong, we cry out for mercy. God knows our predicament. He knows we need mercy, and he does something incredible.
God is the judge who says: “What you have done is wrong and deserves punishment. I will be punished instead of you.” “…Christ died for us!”
God’s love doesn’t excuse our wrongdoing. God’s love deals head-on with our wrongdoing, as God’s own son is punished in our place. Jesus Christ - the only human to never sin and to be free of the penalty deserving of sinners - willingly switched places and died for sinners - you and me.
This is how God proved His love for you. Jesus was punished so that we can go free. Jesus died so that instead of receiving justice, we would receive mercy and be restored to enjoy life with God forever.
“For God loved the world in this way; he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God loves you and offers you eternal life, made possible through His sacrifice. Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28) and “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). A life with Jesus as Saviour is one of faith, hope and love. It is a life lived to the full, with the sure hope of joyous eternal life, with Jesus, in Heaven.
How will you respond to this good news? Read more about Jesus’ message at
https://christianity.net.au and http://twowaystolive.com
For more information on BMAC doctrine, visit https://christianity.net.au/questions and
https://sydneyanglicans.net/about/what-we-believe.