With over a Hundred Thousand people who claim Jesus as their friend, I thought I would compose the main philosophy behind this page. This is the only piece of me here, and I offer this only as an informational piece to answer any questions that you may have. Additional questions are always welcome, but answers may not come.

WHY this page was made:

This page was created so that you could add Jesus to your friends list, or better yet, for you to place Jesus in your top 8 as a way of telling the world, Jesus is my friend. This is not MY myspace page. I have my own. This page is not a graven image or an idol anymore than a cross necklace is, or the Christian fish or any other picture of Christ. Think of this page as a web sanctuary where Christ resides. This is YOUR opportunity to be a witness to the world. Use this page as a tool to share your faith.

The PICTURES:

In the picture section, Jesus can be seen in painting and photograph as mere representations of the worlds interpretation of our Savior. Jesus is depicted in every skin tone (Yes, I know he was a Jew) for the worship of all nations.

 The Bible never gives any physical description of Christ of how he appeared on Earth. The closest thing we get to a description is in Isaiah 53:2b, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him." All this tells us is that Jesus' appearance was just like any other man's – He was ordinary-looking. Isaiah was here prophesying that the coming suffering Servant would arise in lowly conditions and wear none of the usual emblems of royalty, making His true identity visible only to the discerning eye of faith.

Isaiah further describes the appearance of Christ as He would appear as He was being scourged prior to His crucifixion. "His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness" (Isaiah 52:14). These words describe the inhuman cruelty He suffered to the point that He no longer looked like a human being (Matthew 26:67; 27:30; John 19:3). His appearance was so awful that people looked at Him in astonishment.

Most of the images we have of Jesus today are probably not accurate. Jesus was a Jew, so He likely had dark skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. This is a far cry from the blond-haired, blue-eyed, fair-skinned Jesus in many modern pictures. One thing is clear: if it were important for us to know what He really did look like, Matthew, Peter and John, who spent three years with Him, would certainly be able to give us an accurate description, as would His own brothers, James and Jude. Yet, these New Testament writers offer no details about His physical attributes.

This link is a great read about how other people in history described him

The COMMENTS:

I am not responsible for the comments left by others, nor can I speak for their intentions. I do know that these people are not praying to me or praying to myspace. The way I see it is this is a blank bulletin board where people can testify publicly on the web to the saving grace and love that is Jesus.

The EMAIL:

Jesus does not send out email, or reply to email. I do not think it is right to respond with Jesus' voice. Yes, you can send email to this box, but no replies will ever be given. People do send personal stuff to the email box, and I assume that they understand that it is read by a real person of flesh and blood. I will pray for people if they ask for prayer, but I do so as myself, and not as our risen Lord.

The TOP 8/16/24:

Jesus has no favorite people. The top spaces consists of organizations who do their part to act like Christ in the world.

The F.A.Q.

No, I am not some dumb kid with nothing better to do. But who I am is not important. This is not a page for me or my identity or glory. Think of this as my own painting of Christ and I have left my signature off to give Glory to Christ. But let me address some of the concerns this page has brought up.

"Jesus would never have a myspace." (or) "Jesus does not approve of myspace."

I dont believe that. And I dont believe Christians should pull out of myspace just because it had bad press. I find it funny that Jesus would never have a myspace, but the commentator does! If Jesus would never have a myspace or approve of it, why do you have one? Are you not his follower? Remember what you do and say, says something about the God you worship. Jesus used popular culture to express His message. Jesus was real and He was relevant. We no longer minister to shepherds and fisherman, it is time to allow God's true message to be used in the year that we live and proclaim it to the audience of today.

"Do you try to make people believe you ARE Jesus on myspace?"

Uh, no. I do not believe I am Jesus. I am sane. Yes, I have other things to do. I am not pretending to be Jesus in any fashion. I assure you, I am not nuts.

"Jesus is colorless. He was sent by God to remind us of GOD." or "Jesus was not a white man..." or "Jesus was not black."

While I cant say I agree with your theology. Jesus defiantly HAD a color on Earth, and since I believe Christ is still alive and sits at the right hand of God, I can only assume he still carries his original appearance. Jesus was Jewish and more than likely of Middle Eastern discent. Jesus was not sent as a reminder of God, He IS God (John 1:1) Jesus was sent as a representation of God. Jesus is the prophesized son of man (Dan 7). He is LORD, He is Savior, and He is God.

I continually find it surprising that even though Jesus is represented in the picture section in every skin tone, including eastern, oriental, and even native American, people only want to debate whether Jesus was white or black. If you trace Jesus' ancestry through the bible, you will see that Jesus had a wide and diverse blood line. Jesus does not belong to any one color, he only belongs to one race….humanity.

"Why isnt there any more of Jesus message or perhaps some doctrine on the Church He established?"

Well, for one, how would a myspace page do that justice? I mean scores of books have been written, thousands of sermons preached, how does all of that get compressed into a single myspace page? This website is a doorway or a bulletin board, or a painting of something so much grander, it should be up to those seeking out Jesus to go deeper with their questions and faith. Would we like to see people seek out their local church to further facilitate their questions and wonderment? Of course, do we believe there is more to the gospel message than what is presented here? Of course. This page is not the end all-end all to the Christian faith, nor does it make that claim.

"Why does it say that Jesus lives in Israel?."

Well he was from there...but how do I change it to say "I live in Heaven," or "In the Heart's of all people?" I have to select one of the drop down options. Would you rather me say Jesus lives in Antartica or Vermont?

"Why does it say that Jesus is 33, isn't he like a Million years old?"

Well myspace only goes up to 100 years old, so what do you think is better? 100 years old, or 33 the age he was when he went to Heaven?

God's son's name is not Jesus, but Immanuel (meaning God is with us)"

You are right, but this is actually only one of Jesus' several titles (see our picture section for more) actually, to be more accurate, Jesus true "Hebrew name" would sound more like "Yeshua" which was  the same name as Joshua (since Christ also leads us into a promised land)

Whatever happened to "Thou shall worship no other idol before me?" doesn't this go completely against the Bible you hold so dear?

While maybe on the outside this looks like idolatry, it can only be an idol if it is something we put in God's place. In other words, this web site would have to be more important in my life, or the lives of these commentators, then our risen Lord. I think people are just afraid of thinking that we can worship God with the internet. The internet has always been a "bad place" but it does not have to be that way. We can use any earthly expression to worship God. (more on this in the next blog)

"I'd hate for you to wind-up in Hell.."

Yea, me to! But I doubt this is going to be the cause. Ha ha….actually hell is only for those people who have rejected God and rejected his message of salvation. I've done a lot of worse things in my life then set up a myspace page that I could be sent to hell for. (you can read my story in the "story" section if you want) It's a common misunderstanding that we are sent to hell for things that we do. God does not send people to hell for what they do. I am no more a better person, or less of a sinner than you are. We all screw up, we all sin, we all fall short…. If it were solely up to things that we did, none of us would be worthy of grace. Salvation is a gift than can not be taken back.

"It's not nice to imitate the Lord..."

Actually, I disagree with you I think we should all try to imitate our Lord.

"Why is there a PORN site in your top friends?"

Well, the answer is quite simple. There isn't a porn site in the top friends. What you think is a porn site is actually a ministry that is organized by a couple of pastors. XXX Church ministers to the actors in the pornography community and helps create awareness about the effects of internet pornography. Their website also contains useful tools to combat those who are struggling with this issue.

"Why didn't my comment get posted/Why didn't you write me back?"

Like I said above, I generally won't write back to people, I don't want to use this page as a medium for my own voice or opinions, this is not about me. Your post probably didn't get posted for one of a few reasons: your post had html or a picture in it, your post was an advertisement for your website or product and this is not a place for you to sell your product. Your post contained harsh language, or your myspace name is dirty.

I am not trying to "edit" anyone, but I have to consider the wide audience of people who visit this site, and this should be a safe and "clean" place for everyone, so I will do my best to keep it that way. Last, if your comment just says, "thanks for the add" then I don't post those to make room for people who have genuine remarks. That's just my own personal pet peeve.

"Can I be in the top friends?"

No.

Any new and further questions or concerns will certainly be added to this as time goes by, but hopefully this addresses your inquiries.

Exodus 20:4 (TNIV) says, "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."

So not only can you not make heavenly images, but you can not make earthly ones. Which if taken literally would mean you could not even make a painting of a rose, or take a photograph of yourself. Because according to Genesis all of humanity is made in the image of God. So, if I am an idolater, then so are you.

Do I believe that? No. The pictures and images here that represent Jesus are NOT a form of idolatry. Neither is taking a photograph of anything under heaven or painting a picture regardless of its content.

Exodus goes on to say, v5. "You shall not bow down to them, or worship them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God."

Is God concerned with pictures? Or the worship OF pictures?

You see, I chose to believe that the 10 Commandments are more about the heart of God, then the literal translation of the words. The religious leaders of Jesus day were victims of the literal ways that they interpreted God's words.

That is why Jesus corrects their thinking in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13), and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca, is answerable to the Sanhedrin. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell."

So what is God concerned with? The written word? Or the nature of our heart's in alignment with his? Idolatry is about the worship of anything other than Yahweh. Any item we place in God's place. Even our ideas of what it means to be a "Christian" can become a form of idolatry. We become more concerned with "living right" and "following the law" that we are blinded to what is truly the truth.

Do not allow my persuasive writing style to overcome your skepticism: weigh my words, check my facts, and accept only what passes muster. Don't agree with me without first putting me to the test, which is your duty according to 1 John 4:1-3.

By Jim Thomas

Socrates once said, "All the wisdom of this world is but a tiny raft upon which we must set sail when we leave this earth. If only there was a firmer foundation upon which to sail, perhaps some divine word." Without a doubt, Socrates had one of the sharpest minds of any person who ever lived. Yet even Socrates recognized the limitations of human wisdom. He acknowledged that in our search for real meaning in this life and hope for what happens to us in the next, we would have to find another source of truth. And Socrates knew this kind of wisdom could not and would not ever be of human origin, not ultimately authored in the mind or heart of any man or woman. It would have to come from a source higher than humanity and be what he called a "divine word."

That is precisely what the Bible claims to be: a divine word, the Word of God. That is why it has earned such a place of authority in the lives of so many people. 

But just because the Bible (or any other source) claims to offer divine revelation does not mean that it does. Since we are reasoning creatures, we cannot blindly accept just any revelation that claims to be of divine origin without testing its veracity. This raises a question. If God were to reveal things about himself to us, what means would he use to do it? How would the messages be conveyed? 

It seems to me that true divine revelation would need to have at least three characteristics. First, it would have to be offered in an intelligible language that humans could understand, write down, study, analyze, translate, and preserve for other people to consider. If it were God's intention to communicate to as many people as possible, it seems unlikely he would offer revelation in a secret language that could only be understood by a spiritually gifted prophet or an elite few. Rather, God would likely choose a commonly used language. Such is the case with the Bible.

Second, divine revelation would be informative. It would contain propositional truth about God, mankind, morality, and the universe. Its statements would give these subjects definition and show how they relate to each other. And while information about the infinite God can never be exhaustive, that does not mean it cannot be accurate. What is revealed would be specific and applicable to real, everyday life. Such is the case with the Bible.

Third, whenever divine revelation speaks about issues we already know something about (for example, science or history), it would be relatively accurate to what we have come to know. When the Bible speaks historically, we should not find historical evidence that clearly and conclusively contradicts what the Bible says. When the Bible speaks about science, it should not contradict what has been proven beyond a shadow of doubt by scientific research. Also, when the Bible makes statements about human beings and their nature, those statements should generally hold up to what we can see in the mirror or in people on the street. For example, if the Bible were to claim that humans can live underwater or that trees can talk (not in a poetic sense, but literally), it would be fair to discount the Bible as a source of revelation. Divine revelation should be true to the realities which have been conclusively confirmed. Once again, such is the case with the Bible.

Finally, while a credible source of divine revelation might unveil knowledge that is beyond reason, it must not contradict the fundamentals of sound reason; otherwise, we would not be able to come to a firm belief regarding the truth it claims. The law of non-contradiction, the law of cause and effect, and the basic reliability of sense perception should still be in play. Christianity is rational, but it is not mere rationalism. It is reasonable, but it does not depend solely on human reason.

I find it quite satisfying that the Christian faith has both verities and mysteries in it, that it is full of things we can verify by reason, and it contains other things that leave us standing in wide-eyed wonder. Reason gives us confidence; revelation gives us hope. The Bible speaks to us with both.

The amazing unity of the Bible 

Another way I know the Bible is true is through its unity, something we humans find difficult even in trivial matters. Have you ever noticed how hard it is to order pizza when you are with a group of people? The larger the group, the more difficult the process becomes. Two people like veggie only; two like the butcher shop's variety of meats. Three people want thick crust; one wants thin; another wants extra-extra-extra cheese. Getting even 10 people to agree on what kind of pizza to order can be downright impossible.

That is also the way it can be with thoughts and ideas about religion. There are even more ideas about God, faith, and spirituality than there are topping combinations for pizza. Finding any agreement on what is true about God and what he has communicated to us can seem impossible. But this demonstrates one of the unique truths about the Bible. It was not written by some sort of mountain-dwelling, navel-gazing guru who ate hallucinogenic mushrooms one night and had a wild dream about what God is like. Instead it was written by a diverse group of individuals who represent a broad cross section of humanity. And God did not override the identities of the people he inspired to write these books. The personality of each writer comes through loud and clear, each exhibiting a unique style.

In short, the Bible does not reflect just one person's experience with the God of the universe. It is the result of God inspiring more than 40 different individuals to write down the things he wanted us to know. And in spite of its wide variety of authors and their diverse backgrounds, there is an amazing harmony and unity in the Bible. The unified message of the Bible is the story of God's plan of redemption. Each author and every book paints some part of the mural. It is as if 40 different people got inspired one night and could actually order pizza together! 

The contradictions

One of the most common criticisms aimed at the Bible is this: "Isn't the Bible full of contradictions?" Now, full is a pretty strong word. It gives the image of a book with blatant contradictions on every page and in every paragraph. Once again, this complaint is usually put forward by people who have never actually read the Bible. If asked to point out one of these contradictions, they usually shrug their shoulders and confess that they do not have any specific examples.

Of course there are difficulties in translation and interpretation, but these are not about issues which, even if proved true, would disprove the overall message of the Bible. We would be foolish to discount the Bible based on a few insignificant trivialities.

There are certainly things in the Bible that could be classified as paradox – something which appears to be a contradiction but may very well be true. But a paradox is not a contradiction. Most apparent contradictions in the Bible are pretty easily resolved by taking a look at some additional historical or cultural information. Others can be resolved by allowing for literary genre, such as when the writer or speaker employs parable, metaphor, or poetry. Another thing that is often mistaken as a contradiction is mystery, and the Bible contains some incredible mysteries. A mystery can be defined as something unexplainable but not inconceivable. Truths made known by divine revelation and believed through faith would certainly qualify as mysteries.

God has spoken 

Another way I know the Bible is true is because it speaks to both the heart and the mind. If the Bible only spoke to the heart, it would leave us open to all sorts of romantic delusions. If it only spoke to the mind, it would leave us with a lifeless and hollow intellectualism. How wise of God to intentionally reach out to us in this holistic way.

In Psalm 32:8-9, God spoke through King David and said this: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near to you."

God's guidance does not come under compulsion as in the way we guide a horse or mule through the use of bit and bridle. Rather, he will guide us with instruction and counsel so that we can employ the God-given gifts of intelligence, reason, understanding, and free will. He will use his Word, the Bible, to teach us about himself, about how we can know him, and how we should conduct our lives on earth with each other. 

But God does not force this information on us. We will have to open the book and read it, meditate on it, ponder what it says, and pray for insight to learn what it means. When you read the Bible, use the eyes of both your mind and your heart. Ask God to teach you and show you what you need to see. Then ask him for the courage and will to respond to what he shows you to do.

Jim Thomas is pastor of The Village Chapel in Nashville, Tenn. Adapted from Answering The Big Questions About God © 2000/2001 Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Ore. Used by permission.

   Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

    Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

[so right here is where most of you get tripped up, with the wording of 'Son' and 'Father' I guess you assume that because Jesus calls himself the son, that means he is like a son in an earthly family, but this is only a 'title.' It is a way for us to identify with Jesus' identity.]

    Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

[So even the disciples are confused, granted it is not an easy concept to grasp. But how else do we think of the trinity? The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are they 3 "gods" or are they 3 pieces of 1 God, or do we say that they are all one in the same…. God. Ask yourself, do you worship 1 God or 2 or 3? Christianity is "monotheistic" meaning, one God, one receiver of worship.]

    Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?  Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

[Read Jesus' own words – Philip says, "Show us God the Father," and Jesus waves his hands and says, "Hellooo, it's me! If you have seen me, you have seen 'God.']

Paul writes in the beginning of Colossians 1:15-20

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

[In other words, Jesus is the "picture" of God in Heaven. From Jesus the Earth was made, meaning, Christ is the creator.]

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

[Read that again, God has all of his "fullness" dwell in Christ. In other words, Jesus is "fully" God. And Christ is before ALL THINGS. Nothing is before God. Read the first line of the bible, "In the beginning....God."]

And from the mouths of his own followers: John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

[Who is the word of God? Jesus - and the word WAS God. Meaning the same. Not of equal standing as two separate deities, but one. These are just a few passages in the myriad of scripture where Jesus talks about his Diety. But we know that he was executed by the Sanhedrin and it was not for being a man who said nice words and who told people to love one another.

Jesus was arrested by the religious leaders because of who he claimed to be. Jesus believed he was God, who do you believe he is? God created the world – so only God can save it.

Who do you claim Jesus to be?

A prophet?

A holy man?

Merely the 'son' of God and thus a lesser separate deity?

Surprisingly, all of this was settled at the first council of Nicea in 325. The purpose of the council was to resolve disagreements in the Church of Alexandria over the nature of Jesus in relationship to the Father; in particular, whether Jesus was of the same substance as God the Father or merely of similar substance. In other words, were they one in the same? St. Alexander of Alexandria and Athanasius took the first position; the popular presbyter Arius, from whom the term Arian controversy comes, took the second. The council decided against the Arians overwhelmingly (of the estimated 250-318 attendees, all but 2 voted against Arius)

Most Christian denominations claim Jesus as God. Who does not? Most Jews, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Uniterians and Muslims. But then with that, most Christians do not consider those faith practices to be faithful to scripture. While each has verses to support what they believe, they ignore the rest that show Christ to be both fully God and fully human.

If you still have more questions about sin, or grace, or why God had to send himself as the 'Son' to forgive us rather than just to simply do it with a wave of his hand.

If you have more questions about who Christ is. I would suggest that you read; Why God became Man by Anselm.

And here is another good article: How are God and Yeshua one?

Here is a great chart: Jesus is God

Do not allow my persuasive writing style to overcome your skepticism: weigh my words, check my facts, and accept only what passes muster. Don't agree with me without first putting me to the test, which is your duty according to 1 John 4:1-3.

My relationship with Jesus has been a journey. It has been like being on a mountaintop learning from the wisest sage, and it has been like being in a loving relationship with the most closest friend.

And no, it has not all been dancing and singing, there are times of darkness in my life just like any other. I continue to let myself down through the person that I am tempted to be, the world still does its best to cover me in darkness and sometimes even the things that God teaches me still confuses and frighten me. But its the pursuit of the question, Who is Jesus? that keeps me going and gives me the strength to continue the journey.

So, who has Jesus been to you? Share your story here for others to read and be encouraged by.

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

    ¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

    He said:

    ³ "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
       for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
       for they will be comforted.

    ⁵ Blessed are the meek,
       for they will inherit the earth.

    ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
       for they will be filled.

    ⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
       for they will be shown mercy.

    ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
       for they will see God.

    ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
       for they will be called children of God.

    ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
       for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    ¹¹ "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

    ¹³ "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

    ¹⁴ "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

    ¹⁷ "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ Truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder

    ²¹ "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

    ²³ "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to that person; then come and offer your gift.

    ²⁵ "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

    ²⁷ "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' ²⁸ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

    ³¹ "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' ³² But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

    ³³ "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' ³⁴ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶³⁷ All you need to say is simply 'Yes,' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

Eye for Eye

    ³⁸ "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' ³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

    ⁴³ "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Giving to the Needy

    ¹ "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' in front of others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

    ² "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

    ⁵ "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

    ⁹ "This, then, is how you should pray:
       " 'Our Father in heaven,
       hallowed be your name,

    ¹⁰ your kingdom come,
       your will be done,
       on earth as it is in heaven.

    ¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,
       as we also have forgiven our debtors.

    ¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
       but deliver us from the evil one.

    ¹⁴ For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting

    ¹⁶ "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in Heaven

    ¹⁹ "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ^{2021 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.}

    ^{22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!}

    ^{24 "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.}

^{Do Not Worry}

    ^{25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life [e]?}

    ^{28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.}

^{Judging Others}

    ^{1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.}

    ^{3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in someone else's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from the other person's eye.}

    ^{6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.}

^{Ask, Seek, Knock}

    ^{7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened.}

    ^{9 "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.}

^{The Narrow and Wide Gates}

    ^{13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.}

^{True and False Prophets}

    ^{15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.}

^{True and False Disciples}

    ^{21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'}

^{The Wise and Foolish Builders}

    ^{24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."}

    ^{28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.}

What is the 'good news?' What is the story and the testimony of the relationship between you and God? How does Jesus fit into that? How do you? What does it mean to be a 'Christian? (follower of Jesus)' What does the bible say?

1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life.

This passage tells us that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son, Jesus Christ. In other words, the way to possess eternal life is to possess God's Son. The question is, how can a person have the Son of God?

Our problem is that we are separated from God

Isaiah 59:2 But your sinful acts have alienated you from your God; your sins have caused him to reject you and not listen to your prayers.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

According to Romans 5:8, God demonstrated His love for us through the death of His Son. Why did Christ have to die for us? Because Scripture declares all people to be sinful. To "sin" means to miss the mark. The Bible declares "all have sinned and fall short of the glory (the perfect holiness) of God" (Rom. 3:23). In other words, our sin separates us from God who is perfect holiness (righteousness and justice) and God must therefore judge sinful man.

Habakkuk 1:13a You are too just to tolerate evil; you are unable to condone wrongdoing.

There is nothing we can "do" that saves us or makes us good.

Scripture also teaches that no amount of human goodness, human works, human morality, or religious activity can gain acceptance with God or get anyone into heaven. The moral person, the religious person, and the immoral and non-religious are all in the same boat. They all fall short of God's perfect righteousness. After discussing the immoral person, the moral person, and the religious person in Romans 1:18-3:8, the Apostle Paul declares that both Jews and Greeks are under sin, that "there is no one righteous, not even one" (Rom. 3:9-10). Added to this are the declarations of the following verses of Scripture:

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not of works, so that no one can boast.

Titus 3:5-7 he saved us, not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.

Romans 4:1-5 What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter? 2 For if Abraham was declared righteous by the works of the law, he has something to boast about (but not before God). 3 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.

No amount of human goodness is as good as God. God is perfect righteousness. Because of this, Habakkuk 1:13 tells us God cannot have fellowship with anyone who does not have perfect righteousness. In order to be accepted by God, we must be as good as God is. Before God, we all stand naked, helpless, and hopeless in ourselves. No amount of good living will get us to heaven or give us eternal life. What then is the solution?

God's Solution for us

God is not only perfect holiness (whose holy character we can never attain to on our own or by our works of righteousness) but He is also perfect love and full of grace and mercy. Because of His love and grace, He has not left us without hope and a solution.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This is the good news of the Bible, the message of the gospel. It's the message of the gift of God's own Son who became a human (the God-man), lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin, and was raised from the grave proving both the fact He is God's Son and the value of His death for us as our substitute.

Romans 1:4 who was appointed the Son-of-God-in-power according to the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 4:25 He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made the one who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the right-eousness of God.

1 Peter 3:18 Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God, by being put to death in the flesh but by being made alive in the spirit.

How Do We Receive God's Son?

Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross, the Bible states "He that has the Son has life." We can receive the Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior by personal faith, by trusting in the person of Christ and His death for our sins.

John 1:12 But to all who have received him--those who believe in his name--he has given the right to become God's children

John 3:16-18 For this is the way God loved the world: he gave his one and only Son that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 The one who believes in Him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

This means we must each come to God the same way: (1) as a sinner who recognizes his sinfulness, (2) realizes no human works can result in salvation, and (3) relies totally on Christ alone by faith alone for our salvation.

If you would like to receive and trust Christ as your personal Savior, you may want to express your faith in Christ by a simple prayer acknowledging your sinfulness, accepting His forgiveness and putting your faith in Christ for your salvation.

If you have just trusted in Christ, you need to learn about your new life and how to walk with the Lord. May we suggest you start by studying through the ABCs for Christian Growth available online at www.bible.org. This series will take you step-by-step through some basic truths of God's Word and will help you build a solid foundation for your faith in Christ.

Do not allow my persuasive writing style to overcome your skepticism: weigh my words, check my facts, and accept only what passes muster. Don't agree with me without first putting me to the test, which is your duty according to 1 John 4:1-3.