Christianity is not about fearing punishment or avoiding hell but understanding God's unconditional love and eternal life offered through knowing Him and Jesus, which inspires a transformative journey characterized by peace, love, and forgiveness. This teaching emphasizes that Jesus already addressed sin and Satan, so the focus for believers should be appreciating the divine love, resulting in a life enriched by knowledge and gratitude, rather than fear.
Understanding Christianity: Beyond Fear and Hell
Introduction
We often encounter people who stand on street corners proclaiming, "Believe in Jesus or face the end." Their message suggests that Christianity is simply about escaping hell or being forgiven for sins. But is this truly the reason to investigate Christianity? Some say it's to be forgiven of your sins to escape hell, a concept that has perpetuated itself through time. However, our perspective challenges this notion: if you think you know Christianity, you might be wrong.
The Misconception of Sin and Forgiveness
Today, many believe that embracing Christianity is essential for having sins forgiven and avoiding hell. However, the sins of the world were purportedly taken care of 2,000 years ago. They are done and paid for. It's not as if Jesus walks around holding the payment and waits for you to accept it before forgiving you. Rather, the belief is that he already paid for the sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. of the world back then.
Overcoming Sin, Death, and Satan
According to Christian teachings, Jesus overcame sin and deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., rendering Satan defeated. The Bible states that Satan was cast into the lake of fire after Jesus achieved his victory. Therefore, seeking Christianity for sin forgiveness or hell avoidance might not be necessary, as these have been addressed.
Why Consider Christianity?
So, why should one consider Christianity? It's not about fear but about understanding eternal life. Jesus stated that eternal life is knowing the only true God and his son. By investigating Christianity, your heart begins to soften towards your maker, fostering appreciation for Jesus. As you learn what Christianity is about, you don't do it out of fear but out of awe at the love shown by God and his son.
Experiencing Divine Love
Understanding Christianity means recognizing the unconditional love that the creator has for us. The scriptures affirm, "We love him because he first loved us." Once you acknowledge this divine love, you naturally start to feel grateful and respond to it. This response is about learning more about God and Jesus, which is seen as life eternal.
Transformation and Peace in Life
As you grow in this knowledge, your life begins to change. You become more peaceful, loving, forgiving, and empowered—not out of fear of hell or unforgiven sins, since those are already settled. Engaging with Christianity leads to learning about these truths, giving your life more peace, reason, and depth.
Conclusion
While the world remains flawed, and humans continue to make mistakes, the essence of Christianity, as understood here, is not about escaping punishment but embracing the unconditional love and peace offered. It invites an exploration beyond fear, focusing on a deeper understanding and appreciation of divine presence.
Understanding Human Nature and the Gift of Redemption
The Nature of Humanity
Sins are an inherent part of our nature. If you were to put a title on humans, it would be "humans, they sin; they mess up." That's what humans do.
Divine Love and Redemption
God loved us so much that He gave His Son to fix that for us. This act ensures we don't get caught up in thinking, "Oh, I did this wrong; He's gonna be mad at me." He took care of the things we do wrong.
The Impact of Redemption on Our Lives
When you realize this, the propensity to do the things we always do wrong starts to fade a little bit. It just starts to go away on its own, and that's why we bother pursuing Christianity.
