What is faith anyway?

Some people think faith means nothing more than blindly believing whatever you're told. But when we talk about our faith, that's not really what we mean. The Bible says that faith is actually evidence. So where do we find that evidence?

The evidence is found in knowing a person. It's not ultimately about a set of philosophical beliefs, a code of ethics, or even a religion based around a person and his teachings. It's about actually knowing Jesus for ourselves.

What's the big deal?

This is important because philosophy, ethics, and religion all have to do with what you know and what you do. But you can never know enough about a person or do enough nice things for a person to make up for the value of actually meeting and spending time getting to know that person. It's like the difference between knowing a lot about the president, his policies, etc. and actually being able to call him your friend.

And that's the craziest thing about Christianity. At the very center of everything we believe is this: that God -- the most amazing and important being that ever has, will, or can exist -- wants you to be his friend. And even more, he wants to adopt you as his child. He wants you to know his voice and his heart. He cares about the mundane details of your day, and he wants to sweep you away into his epic adventure.

But my life seems OK. Do I really need this right now?

Yes.  You see, we are all in grave danger, and like any good dad, God wants to rescue you from that danger. Every one of us is messed up, tainted, and defective (Romans 3:23). War, poverty, disease, hunger, greed, terrorism, and deceit are just a few of the evidences that this world is going to Hell.  And without a supernatural rescue we're going with it because that's exactly what we all deserve for the injustices we've committed (Romans 6:23).

Whoah, that's bad news... Is there any hope?

Yes! The good news is that, out of his overwhelming love for us, Jesus already paid for all our wrongs by living a perfect life, dying in our place, and beating death by rising from the dead 3 days later (John 3:16).

So what do I do?

Your part is only to accept the rescue God has given you. There is no good deed you can do to save yourself (Ephesians 2:8). In fact, being saved from this world is kind of like being saved from drowning. The more you struggle to swim for yourself, the slower and more perilous the rescue becomes. This kind of salvation requires surrender to the savior.

If you want to know Jesus and give yourself to him so you can be rescued, surrender to him by asking him to come into your life and be in charge (be your Lord), and ask him to give you faith that he rose from the dead and is alive inside of you (Romans 10:9-10). You can use your own words, but pray something like this:

Jesus, I'm messed up, and I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross and paying the price for my sins. I want you to save me, and today I'm giving you control of my life. From now on, you are my Lord. Thank You for forgiving me and adopting me as your child to live with you forever. I love you, God. Help me to believe.

If you just prayed this prayer, Congratulations!  You've just begun the greatest adventure of your life.  Please contact us so that we can follow up with you in your journey.

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