The
Problem
*
The main problem with humanity is a broken relationship with God, caused by our
sin. The consequences are spiritual death and God's judgment. 
Broken
relationship; shame, fear, guilt; humans cannot make themselves acceptable to
God.
The
Solution Religion/Philosophy
| The
Solution (to "the Problem" as understood by the respective religion/philosophy)
| Naturalism
| We
must gain increased knowledge through scientific inquiry to more fully realize
the potential of humankind. (Since there is no ultimate reality beyond the material
universe, the aim of the "solution" is much less idealistic than "religion.") | Hinduism
| In
order to attain freedom from the life/death/rebirth cycle and become one with
the universal soul (Brahman), we must attain enough good Karma. The three classic
ways (paths) include (1) the way of work, (2) the way of devotion (bhakti), and
(3) the way of knowledge and meditation. | Buddhism
| In
order to attain freedom from suffering (dukkha), we must understand the "four
noble truths," which stress the elimination of all desire for the impermanent.
Desire can be eliminated by following the 8-fold path: right understanding, right
thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness,
and right meditation. | Islam
| In
order to obtain God's (Allah's) "mercy," we must repent (turn to belief
in Allah and his Prophet) and obey the will (divine guidance) of Allah as revealed
in the Qur'an. | Christianity
| According
to His mercy and grace, God has provided the way of forgiveness of sins, necessary
to be reconciled to Him (that is, to be restored to a relationship with God).
God's solution provides freedom from the penalty of sin (God's judgment) and the
controlling power of sin (which enables us to victoriously live the Christian
life). |
The
Solution: Jesus - the Lamb of God (John 1:29) ¶
But
God demonstrates his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us" (Romans 5:8, NIV)
¶
"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into
the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
(1 John 4:9-10, NIV)
¶
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become
the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV)
Jesus
took our sin, shame and guilt on Himself, and died in our place.
By doing this,
he provided a way of reconciliation (restored relationship) to God. The
Solution: Jesus - the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26) ¶
"… I want to remind you of the gospel … For what I received I passed
on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according
to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve."
(1 Corinthians 15:1a, 3-5, NIV)
¶
"… God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death,
because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (Acts 2:23-24,
NIV) *
How important is Jesus' resurrection to the gospel?
How
Can We Benefit from the Solution? ¶
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me." (John 14:6, NIV)
¶
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved … As the Scripture says,
"Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (Romans 10:9,
11, NIV)
¶
"… to all who received [Jesus Christ], to those who believed in his
name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12, NIV) --->
The appropriate response is "faith."
Jesus
Christ is the "bridge" (the Way) back into a relationship with God.
Through faith in Christ, our shame and guilt are removed, and we are adopted into
God's family.
The
Solution: Jesus - Our Life (Colossians 3:1-4)
*
The believer in Christ is "made alive with Christ" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
Just "as Christ was raised from the dead … [believers] too may live
a new life" (Romans 6:3-14). The believer in Christ is a "new creation"
(2 Corinthians 5:17). Read Colossians 3:1-4. ?
What is already true of the believer? Based on these truths, what is the responsibility
of the believer? In other words, what must the believer do in order the live the
"new life?" *
The new life is empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, and is characterized
by newness in relationships and newness in attitudes and actions.
§
Relationships. The "new person" is to love God with all his/her heart,
soul, and mind; and love others as himself/herself (Matthew 22:37-39).
§
Attitudes & Actions. Though "new" in Christ, the "new person"
is not completely new. Renewal is a process. So the new person must "put
off the old self" and "put on the new self" in order to become
more like Jesus Christ in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24;
Colossians 3:1-17).
Reflection/Application
For
Non-Christians:
* What do you
personally believe about "the Problem" with humanity? The Solution presented
in the Bible is "good news" only to those who accept the Christian view
of the problem.
* What do you personally
believe about "the Solution?" How can we be set free from the Problem,
and experience true peace, joy, security, and fulfillment? What is the basis for
your belief? How does your belief compare with the Bible's explanation? What offers
more promise and hope? If you have any questions about the Bible's explanation,
contact Jay.
*
Maybe you are ready to respond to the Solution, and receive Jesus Christ
as Lord and Savior. See "Steps to a New Relationship with God" below.
For
Christians:
*
The Solution provides freedom from both the penalty of sin and the controlling
power of sin. As a professing Christian, you have already accepted the Solution.
Are you living like it? Read Romans 6 and Colossians 3:1-17 and apply these truths
to your life.
*
Are you prepared
to share the Solution (the gospel) with others? Are you doing it? Steps
to a New Relationship with God
* Confess
your problem - a broken relationship with God because of your sin.
*
Be willing to "repent" - turn from your sin, and turn toward God.
*
Believe and trust in God's solution - Jesus Christ died for your sins, and was
raised from the dead, so that you could have a new relationship with God.
*
Through prayer, receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior - invite Jesus Christ
into your life, and give Him control of your life through the Holy Spirit.
*
After receiving Christ, be baptized as a public profession of your faith, symbolizing
your repentance and new life in Christ. Become actively involved in a Bible believing
church.
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