The Message

Many of you have heard of The Message, but have never taken it seriously, or have instead been skeptical about it. You were also maybe misinformed. This is understandable. Your beliefs are perhaps totally different. But we can reason through this…

Being a Christian does not mean you are saved. Being a Catholic, a Baptist or a Greek Orthodox cannot save you — any denomination cannot save you. Going to church on Sundays, wearing a cross around your neck and celebrating Christmas/Easter are not enough to be saved. Even believing He was crucified and resurrected is still not enough. The only Being who can save you is Jesus Christ.

It is very sad to see that most Christians today are not saved, they are simply Christians by birth — they don’t have a personal relationship with Christ (they have not accepted Christ as their Savior — or are not born again), they don’t spend time in Scripture and are not living the Godly life Jesus and the disciples kept talking about. The Bible extensively covers the topic of salvation, and it is much deeper than what our social world has made of it. Very often do we see that  Christians from various backgrounds focus only on a few topics in the Bible and accept to leave out the rest. Most Christians don’t give justice to the word of God or what its purpose is for our lives. I was in this category of people for many, many years, until recently. We have ‘adapted’ to today’s generation and have accepted to not walk with Christ, thinking we are invincible forever, thinking we control our lives and thinking Jesus is just a thing from the past.

We all know that we are born sinners: from the first sin in the Garden of Eden to the sin you committed today. Romans 3:10 says “There is none righteous, no, not one.” and verse 23 continues by saying “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” — everyone, myself included.  But God gave us a hope, although a people undeserving: “He so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Our sins were all forgiven 2000 years ago, at the cross: Romans 5:8 says “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What an amazing love this is!

So while The Message might seem a bit complicated, it’s also very simple: God loves us tremendously, more than we can fathom. We are sinners and our punishment ought to be death. But His death on the cross and His resurrection allowed us to be fully forgiven and worthy of entering His Kingdom after death. If you believe and accept these truths, repent from your sins and invite Jesus into your life, to be Savior and Lord over your life, your sins are washed away, your heart is made anew, and your relationship with Christ has just begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”

The Message of the Gospel is the good news. It is not a new set of obligation or duties to be performed — new strivings — but rather an announcement of what has been done for us. It is a wonderful free gift by God Himself to the sinner who believes… The journey is not easy, but it is by far, the most rewarding thing you can ever do. Not only are we promised an abundant life, but our walk and life with Him is so fulfilling, to the point of wanting and needing to surrender all to Him.

John 14:6
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jesus Christ).”

The Jesus Christ message was revolutionizing; His words were simple, yet profound, and they either provoked happy acceptance or violent rejection. Why would we reject His message of love, mercy and compassion? No other great leader has inspired so many positive changes in the lives of so many. People who encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed! I can speak for myself!

Many martyrs, disciples and followers of Jesus Christ didn’t hesitate to face hardships, persecution and even death for His sake, as the Truth is so convincing and so convicting. I beg you, as a friend, as a brother who cares for you, to do your homework and to think very hard about this important decision. If you have not given your heart to Christ, do so today and don’t risk living your life on your own, for man is weak and frail and we do not know what tomorrow holds. As for me: “If God is for me, who can be against me?” (Romans 8:31).

Jesus Christ loves you more than you can imagine. Please accept His free gift of Love, Grace and Mercy. He only wants the best for us.

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I want to imitate Christ’s humility as best I can. Philippians 2:1-4 says “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

The following ought to also be our desire, to hold to the following pillars of the Faithful Life:

1. Worship God constantly with reverence, purity, intensity and sincerity.
2. Study God’s Word tirelessly so it would saturate our hearts and thereby shape all our thoughts and behavior.
3. Share our faith in Jesus Christ joyfully with everyone who does not know Him personally and intimately as Savior.
4. Serve anyone humbly who has needs, as we radiate the Love of Jesus Christ in our lives with others.