Day 21: The Most Important Truth in the World
What’s the most important truth in the world that can revolutionize your life today? Winning the Lottery? No, since many lottery winners end up losing their millions in a couple of years, broke, and worse off than they were before. Discovering that the girl or guy you drool over each day also likes you and wants to get to know you? Well, it all depends, since he or she can break your heart and leave you crying and sobbing on your pillow in just a couple of dates. Turning 18 and becoming a legal adult? Ok, you can do everything your tempted to do by the Devil and peer pressure, but being an adult carries with it increased responsibilities (have you heard of getting a job and going to college) and now crimes carry a severe punishment (no more juvenile hall or detention centers; you are going straight to jail as an adult!). So, neither sex, money, nor power is the most important truth in the world. Instead, the most important truth in the world has to do with what God did for you in the past, what he wants to do for you today, and what he promises to do for you in the future. Are you ready to discover that truth? Read on!
The Most Important Person in History
Who is the most important person that has ever lived? How does one go about deciding who has lived the most important life in the history of the world? Well, billions of people have lived throughout the over 6,000 – 10,000 plus years of human existence on earth that the Bible and Ellen G. White suggest. Darwinian evolution on the other hand suggests that the Early Hominids lives around 6 to 8 billion years ago. Remember “Lucy” in Biology class? (http://www.biology-online.org/10/14_early_hominids.htm). However as Creationists and Bible believers, we are choosing to believe what the Bible tells us and not what Charles Darwin proposed. Let’s think about some of the most important people that have ever lived on earth.
We could start off with Political leaders like Stalin, Hitler, or Pacifist Leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., or Mahatma Gandhi. We could also think of religious leader like Pope John Paul II, Mohammed, Siddhartha Buddha, Confucius, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, or the Apostle Paul. When we think about whom the most important persons to ever live were, the one factor that is important is “influence” and impact. Who has been the most influential person to ever live? If we decide just based on influence and having the greatest impact on mankind, then it would have to be Jesus Christ. No one else even comes close to the impact that He has had on the history of mankind. His influence has been felt in politics, governments, nations, people, and persons. Almost every sector of our lives has been impacted by the life of that one solitary individual: Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Go outside and see how many Christian churches you find just in your neighborhood. Probably many! His influence continues even today more than 2,016 years after his birth (in 5 B.C.), and 1980 years since his death (in 31 A.D.). His life and teachings continue to shape the lives of people in the Western World, the Christian Church, and Political and Religious Leaders. He is by far the single most important person to have ever lived on planet earth. If you are ready to accept that truth, then let’s move on the most important event in the history of the world. If not, then take some time to think about the influence of Jesus Christ today in our world, and even in your life and family. When you are ready, then move on to the next section.
Facts about Jesus Christ
- He was born in Bethlehem, Ephratah in small city in the country of Israel.
- He never attended college or a university.
- He never wrote a book.
- He never taught a college class or university lecture.
- He never traveled more than 200 miles from his place of birth.
- He was never married.
- He never used the Internet, a cell phone, or satellite television.
- He was never on the Local news channel.
- He only lived for 33 years.
- He was a Jewish Carpenter.
- He spent 3 and ½ years doing Christian Ministry (Healing, Teaching, and Preaching).
- He spent most of his 3 and ½ year ministry teaching and training 12 hardheaded men (most fisherman, tax collectors, one a zealot, the other a treasurer and business minded man).
- His life, teachings, and ministry have revolutionized our world and had the greatest impact on our world than anyone else who has ever lived before.
Here is an amazing poem on the impact of the life of Jesus Christ to meditate on this day!
One Solitary Life
Nearly two thousand years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter until He was thirty. Then for three years He became an itinerant preacher.
This man never went to college or seminary. He never wrote a book. He never held a public office. He never had a family nor owned a home. He never put His foot inside a big city nor traveled even 200 miles from His birthplace. And though He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness, throngs of people followed Him. He had no credentials but Himself.
While He was still young, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His followers ran away. He was turned over to His enemies and sentenced to death on a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – the simple coat He had worn. His body was laid in a borrowed grave provided by a compassionate friend.
But three days later this Man arose from the dead – living proof that He was, as He had claimed, the Savior whom God had sent, the Incarnate Son of God.
Nineteen centuries have come and gone and today the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race. On our calendars His birth divides history into two eras. One day of every week is set-aside in remembrance of Him. And our two most important holidays celebrate His birth and resurrection. On church steeples around the world, His cross has become the symbol of victory over sin and death.
This one Man’s life has furnished the theme for more songs, books, poems and paintings than any other person or event in history. Thousands of colleges, hospitals, orphanages and other institutions have been founded in honor of this One who gave His life for us.
All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the governments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned have not changed the course of history as much as this One Solitary Life.
Borrowed with permission from http://www.why-jesus.com/history.htm.
The Most Important Event in History
I hope that by now you have come to believe and accept that Jesus Christ has had the greatest impact on the greatest number of people in the history of our world. I also hope that you have been growing in your faith and in your relationship with God during these past 21 days of this 30-day spiritual journey. I hope that by now, you have discovered that God is unconventional and is interested in saving you for eternity! The ball is in your court and in your hands. It's your move!
Have you ever thought about what is the most important event in the history of mankind? For some, it’s the invention of the computer, for others smart phones, and for others Facebook. For adults, it might be the invention of the television, radio, the airplane, the car, or diapers!
However, when we stop and think about the events that have occurred in history from God’s point of view, the most important event to ever have occurred is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior! Hands down, that is the most important event in the history of the world, and the most important event from God’s perspective. Check out the following Bible texts that describe the importance of this event.
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that 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
“Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:20-25
Evidently, the most important event in world history is the death of a man who was a Jew, who God chose to be the Savior of the world. This event is greater than anything else in the world. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ have influenced millions of people to give their lives for worthy causes, and to die for their faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Savior of the world. His death is a fact of history. NO one denies that He died at the hands of the Romans, accused by the Jewish leader of His day. His life and death are facts of history. However, His resurrection is a matter of faith. While there is great and ample evidence that Jesus Christ resurrected from the grave, His resurrection is a personal matter of faith. No one can convince you to believe that Jesus resurrected from the grave and is alive today, unless you believe that God exists and that miracles can happen. Only you can allow the Holy Spirit to impress your heart with the truths about the resurrection contained in the Holy Bible. If truth were told, there is an empty tomb in Jerusalem, with a sign posted, “He is not here. He has risen!” Throughout history, people who have come to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ have been willing to die for their faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. They have come to experience the power and personal presence of the living Christ in their lives and in their hearts. “He is not here. He has risen!”
For more evidence on the resurrection of Jesus, see Josh McDowell’s web page:
The Most Important Truth in the World
Ok. So Jesus is the most important person to have ever lived. His life and teaching have impacted the greatest number of people on earth. His death and resurrection are the greatest even in the history of mankind. So what? What difference can that make in my life today? I need something today that can impact my life and help me to survive in this rat race that we live in. Daily, we are bombarded with ads, commercials, and TV shows that tell us that we can’t be happy unless we buy the next new computer, smart phone, car, or look like “Kim Kardashian”, “Snooky”, Justin Beiber, or 50 Cent. I hear you saying, "I need to know what is truth. I want something that is true and that can help me to live my life as a high school or college student, undergoing peer pressure, the temptation to work on Sabbath, dealing with thoughts of depression, suicide, guilt, etc. Therefore, what is the most important truth in the world?" Take a wild guess.
If Jesus is the most important person to have ever lived, and if his death and resurrection is the most important event to have ever taken place, what could be the most important truth in history of the world and for your life and mine? Here it is, never forget it!
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Here is the most important truth that in the world that can revolutionizes your life today! Jesus Christ, the greatest person to ever live also died for you so that you can enjoy eternal life with God throughout all eternity! His death on the Cross of Calvary in your place is the most important truth in the world. He loves you so much, he not only came to impact the history of the world, the events in the history of our world, but he came to die in your place and for your sins so that you can be in Heaven with Him one day soon. What great love God has for you! What an amazing truth that can help you in your life today! If God loves you and has a place for you in Heaven, what can keep you from accepting and living like a Heaven bound Christian today?
Conclusion
This truth can make a great difference in your life today. If you feel unloved, it reminds you that God loves you no matter what. If you feel guilty because of sin, it reminds you that God is in the business of forgiving and saving sinners. If you feel lost in the world of fashions, ideas, and popularity contests, remember that God has your picture in His wallet. You are special to him, and because this truth is real, it can help you to live your life in a richer and more meaningful way. Make no mistake about it. Jesus is real. Heaven is real. Forgiveness is real. Eternal life is real. Why don’t you make it real in your life and heart today?
Practical steps
1. Focus each day to live and learn something about Jesus Christ, the greatest person to ever live. Read something about his life and teachings in the Bible every day.
2. Study the events connected with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They are able to change your outlook in life. Remember. Jesus’ followers and friends can never die (John 11:37), but instead they can only sleep. And sleeping isn’t always that bad, for there is a waking up time. Jesus will come again one day soon to awaken them out of their temporary sleep!
3. Study the books of Romans and Galatians to learn about what is means to be “justified by faith.” It is an amazing truth of the Bible to know that God not only forgives our sins, but he acquits us also. It's as if we never did it to begin with. The truth of justification by faith will change you, and help you to be a more loving, caring, and a nicer person. God’s love in you will overflow into the lives of others.
4. Purpose to live like Jesus Christ each day. Follow His teachings and example. You can be a Christ-ian because you talk and live the truths of Jesus each day of you life.
5. Meditate on Jesus' sacrifice for you on the Cross. When you feel lonely or unworthy or sad, His death on the Cross will remind you that He cares and loves you every moment of each day!
~ Pastor Sal Garcia
No comments:
Post a Comment