WHY FAITH?

What is the Christian Faith?

Matthew Slater was drafted in the 5th round by the New England Patriots. He went on to become the special team’s captain and a six-time pro-bowler. During a press conference at Super Bowl 51, Matt took the opportunity to share what it means to be a Christian.

“You have to understand who God is and who his Son is, and you have to understand what God says about your sin. From there you realize, I am a sinful person, and my sin has separated me from an eternal, perfect God.  But there’s a back up plan to that—he sent his son Jesus. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He came here and he died on the cross for my sins and your sins. If you’re willing to accept that truth, and you put your trust in him, and confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that he is who he says he is, then from there you can initiate the relationship with him.  I also believe that repentance is a big part of that as well. You have to turn from your old life of sin, and try to model a Christ-like life. I think that’s something we’ll never fully figure out on this side of glory. But it’s a day to day process that I’ve been so blessed to be on for the last 25 years.”

Placing your faith in Christ is the simplest, yet most difficult decision you will make in your life time. Simple, because the gospel is not hard to understand. Difficult, because none of us find it easy to surrender our life to another. The word gospel means “good news.” But, to best understand the good news, you need to know the bad news.

First, the Bad News

The Bible teaches that in the beginning God created man in his image (Gen. 1:27). He placed Adam and his wife in the perfect environment — a garden paradise. But there, Adam chose to sin and when he did, death was the consequence. Just like you bear some of the same physical traits of your ancestors, Adam’s sinful nature was passed on to you (Rom. 5:12).  Each of us was born with a bent towards rebellion and the desire to do what God forbids (Rom. 3:23). It doesn’t take us long, before we live out those desires, disobey God and receive the same penalty as Adam.

Now, the Good News

Perhaps the most repeated  verse in the Bible is this one: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus Christ, God’s son, was born of a virgin (Mt. 1:23), and lived his entire life without sinning (1 John 3:5). Because he never sinned, when he willingly suffered and died on the cross, his death could pay the penalty that you and I owed for our sins (2 Cor. 5:21). In so doing, Jesus opened up the door for each of us to experience a restored relationship with God. He took the judgment of God (that you and I deserved) upon himself. Then, three days later, he rose from the dead, and proved he was who he claimed to be (1 Cor. 15:1-6). The Bible repeatedly makes the case that eternal life is a free gift from God, not something we have earned (Eph. 2:8, 9; Rom. 5:10). It is available to all those who believe (1 John 1:12).

The essence of faith is to believe that Jesus Christ is who he claimed to be, and that he did on our behalf what the Bible says he did—paid the penalty that we deserved.  This commitment is more than simply a head knowledge. Saving faith would have us turn away from our sin, surrender to Christ and follow him as our Lord and Savior (Rom. 10:9-10).

Perhaps you’ve never made this commitment. We, at Faith on the Field, would invite you to do so today. Simply acknowledge that you are a sinner and believe that Jesus Christ died in your place. Following him faithfully, is the only reasonable conclusion for such a great sacrifice.

If you made that commitment today, have questions, or would just like help in your walk of faith please contact us. We would love to assist you.