Divine Relationship (NIV)

God is the Creator God created everything and everything He created was good. The first man and the first woman were in close relationship with God. They walked with Him and talked to Him. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 The Problem with Sin God is perfectly holy—sinless—so He cannot have anything sinful in His presence. Therefore, sin separates us from God. Sin is anything we do, say, or think that is wrong—little or big. The first man and the first woman both chose to do something that God had told them not to do, so the close relationship with God ended for them and for everyone after them. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 Jesus Died for Our Sins But God loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. So He took care of the problem of sin separating us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty required, which is death. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 Jesus Rose Again Christ was buried in a tomb, but because He is also God, He did not stay there. He rose from the dead and He is ALIVE in heaven at the Father’s right hand. “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.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Accept Jesus’ Gift and Confess Jesus is Lord So how do you get back in relationship with God? You acknowledge that you sin, that Jesus paid the debt for your sin, and that he freely offers that payment to you as a gift. Then, you must reach out and accept the gift so you can start living the way God intended—knowing Him and following Him. In return, you will live with Him forever! “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9 “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9