Desires and Fulfillment

Is it possible our desires stem, not from sin and the devil, but from the fact we are created in the image of God?

Let me explain. Our pride tells us we are worthy of honor. It says, “I AM important.” Our lusts, whether they be pride, flesh or eyes, are seeking fulfillment.

God has total fulfillment in himself. When He says, “I AM,” He can back that up, because He is! Having been created in his image, we have the desire for fulfillment, but our sin destroyed the capability of that fulfillment.

Adam and Eve had total fulfillment, a perfect relationship with God, a perfect relationship with each other and a perfect relationship with Earth itself. They didn't have any needs. They didn't have any wants…until…

Until Satan deceived Eve into thinking she was missing something. She believed him, and Adam just tagged along for the ride. And what a ride,

relationship with God – destroyed;

                        relationship with each other – destroyed;

                        relationship with the planet – destroyed…until…

Until Jesus stepped into human history to set things right. He makes us a new creation, children of God. And IN HIM we can have fulfillment once again.

Follow Him with me,

Darin

Why Jesus?

Dear Church Member,

In a world filled with religions and deities, why choose Jesus? Some people say it doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you believe something. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except by me.”

Many people think his statement doesn't sound very loving, but let’s look at that a minute. If we compare the other gods to Jesus, you will find similarities. In most religions, the deity created humans, gave them some rules, and told them they would be punished if they rebelled.

You may say, “Wait, I haven’t rebelled. In fact, I’m a good person.” Let’s see. God has Ten Commandments that determine if you are a good person.

One commandment is: don’t steal. Have you ever stolen anything, no matter how small? Another commandment is: don’t lie.  Have you ever told a lie? One command is: don’t commit adultery. Jesus went on to say, if you look at someone and lust, you’ve already committed adultery in your heart.

If you have broken any of these commands, you are considered unrighteous. You have rebelled against God’s law. And now, you are guilty.

 But Jesus is the only deity, who loved the disobedient creatures he created so much, he was willing to come down to Earth and become one of them.  And he lived without breaking the rules. But on top of all that, on the cross, he took the punishment for the disobedience of all of humanity.

If there is a deity willing to sacrifice himself for the guilty, perhaps he is not unjust to say, “You have to come to God through me, because I’m the only deity who worked to make your forgiveness possible. I love you that much.” Go ahead and look for another god who will love you as much. You won’t find one. So, my question to you is:

Why NOT Jesus?

Maybe you could tell someone about him today.

Follow Him with me,

Darin