I wonder if we can ever be perfect, just like Jesus was.  We say we’re Christians, but still we often stand in judgment of others.  I don’t think we’ll ever achieve perfection on this side of eternity.  Even though Jesus died for every sin – past, present and future – that doesn’t mean we’ll never sin again.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean our lives won’t be without detours or bumps in the road.  We’re told that we’ll have crosses to carry.  We’re not guaranteed a life free from anxious moments, fear or even death.

Every time I hear the struggles between Christian churches, it saddens me.  The Bible is our connection with our Creator.  It was given to us as a guide for living the Christian life.  Unfortunately many stray from the truth of the Word and go in their own direction.  For some it might bend towards doing good deeds.  Some may say that not every word is true or accurate.  Some believe only one translation is the truth.  Many discount the miraculous deeds of the Old Testament as myths and story telling.  Some will even bend the scriptures to fit their own interpretation to give validity to something they don’t agree with.

When human reason gets in the way of God’s truth, there will be division.  His message to us is less complicated than we make it.  By the disobedience of God’s first people, we’ve  inherited sin and in order to be made right with God, there needs to be restitution; a perfect, sinless offering which comes only from God Himself.  Nothing we do – good works, self-deprivation, money or giving up everything for Christ’s work will save us.  It’s only by the precious blood shed by God Himself that redeems us.  His resurrection secures our future in eternity.  Because He lives, we’ll continue to live after death.

Sounds too simple, doesn’t it.  We can’t help wondering – what’s the catch – what do we need to do?  There is no catch.  All God wants from us is our complete trust in Him.  Our faith is the only requirement and, by the way, even that is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

Because of this marvelous thing He’s done for us, we can’t help but be grateful for the gift He’s given us.  Thus our lives change.  We learn to live as Jesus did by being a servant to others, by loving others as ourselves, by sharing the Gospel message, by walking away from the sins that have plagued us for so long.

Why do we feel we have to put our own spin on this?  The truth is clear.