Jesus is a personal friend of mine…
Somebody who loves me more than a parent, son/daughter, sibling, or best friend…
How do I know?
He laid down his life for me to live, and;
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”
-John 15:13
A little over 2000 years ago, Jesus, the only begotten son of God, the word of God, the first born of creation, became flesh, dwelt amongst men, God’s chosen people Israel, performed many miracles, taught many lessons, preached the good news, lived a perfect, holy, and sinless life, just to lay it down to have it crushed by God, for the sins of the world, taking on a great shame, drinking the bitter cup of God’s wrath, through a slow agonizing death by betrayal of his fellow Jews, under Roman rule…
Why was that necessary?
“…under the Law almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness [neither release from sin and its guilt, nor cancellation of the merited punishment].” -Hebrews 9:22
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 6:23
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness” -Romans 1:18
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” -John 3:17-19
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons” -Matthew 25:41
That means Jesus loved me enough to pay that price for me to be forgiven, absolved of my sin against the Creator, his father…
What is sin?
“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness”
-1John 3:4
This is in reference to God’s moral law, which is written on our hearts as our conscious:
“And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,
“This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD:
I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
-Hebrews 10:15-16
It can also be summed up in detail in the 10 commandments according to the book of Exodus chapter 20.
I was a great sinner/lawbreaker, but by his Grace through my faith in him, I am forgiven.
I am saved.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” -Ephesians 2:8
Not only that, but by with his death and resurrection, he opened the door for me to be born again as a new creature, an authentic son of God, like he is!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16
He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God” -John 1:11-13
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” -Mark 16:16
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” -Acts 2:38-39
I chose to believe to be saved and born again in Jesus name!
Jesus is my Lord and Savior… a True Friend.
More on this Great King later…
Just know that he loves you…
How do I know?
Because everything he’s done for me, he’s done for you too…
All we have to do is believe and receive.
Shalom
Be blessed
In Jesus name