You Can Be Born A Jew, You Can Be Born A Muslim, But You Can't Be Born A Christian.

This world is beautifully diverse with so many unique nationalities. We’re all from different lands, walking different paths and when this image of a precious child caught my eye I gained a greater understanding of the difference between what I believe and the beliefs of others.

You see people can be born a Jew, born a Muslim, born a Buddhist etc. but you can’t be born a Christian – that’s what sets Christianity apart from every other religion and that’s why Jesus died on a cross, that’s why we have Easter!

There’s a difference between being born something and making choices on how to live wouldn’t you agree? We were all born with a desire for freedom but we each must put in place actions to make that choice a reality.

The words of Joseph, an aboriginal man we met on the beach in Darwin at sunset one afternoon ring true, we may look different on the outside but inside we are all the same.

Did you know that when this world ends, and one day it will, we must all stand before God and each must give a reason for the choices we made in life, good and bad.

On that day there will no longer be a second chances. The place we were born will be irrelevant, our nationality will be no more, how kind we were or how bad we were will then be irrelevant – what we chose to believe about Jesus will be the only thing that matters.

Why is Jesus necessary?
Someone once said: “I meditate, I burn candles, I drink green tea but I still want to smack some people!”

The bible puts it this way:
What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. 16 So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary. 17 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! 18 I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. 19 I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. 20 My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. 21 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. 22 I truly delight in God’s commands, 23 but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. 24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? 25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. From Romans 7:15-25 MSG

Temptation will always be before us and we know how easy it is to break the rules. We can even justify wrong actions to make ourselves feel better to the point where our conscience no longer matters. The Golden Rule of putting others before ourselves is becoming less relevant in our world today, we just need to look around us – we can never live up to the life God has for us without being guided by Him.

No matter how hard we try without God, we will never be good enough. That’s why God sent Jesus, to become the supreme sacrifice to free us from all we’ve done wrong and set us on the path to a blessed and purpose filled life that he created for us.

When we die our bodies decay but our soul lives on…. Only the decision we make to receive or reject Jesus love and sacrifice on our behalf will determine where our soul will spend eternity – forever with God or eternally banished from Him along with every good thing that comes from God!

Now that you know that Jesus is the only way to salvation, I pray you will have the courage to accept Him regardless of what it will cost you and begin your life of freedom in Christ.

This information is not based on my opinion but based on what the Bible says along with my personal experience, my living relationship with the God of the Universe who guides each step I take. I can personally testify to the integrity of the following Bible verses:

Life better than we could dream of – that’s what Jesus offers..

The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us, but all who receive God’s wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 NLT

Jesus says: I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the darkness. John 12:46 NLT

Jesus says: I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10 MSG

We all know we’re not perfect – right?

For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 MSG

Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23-24

No matter how much we would like to be able to fix things ourselves, Jesus is the only way..

For I have come down from heaven to do not my own will but the will of the One who sent me. And this is the will of the One who sent me: that I should not lose any of all those he has given me but should raise them up on the Last Day. Yes, this is the will of my Father: that all who see the Son and trust in him should have eternal life, and that I should raise them up on the Last Day." (End of the world) John 6:38 CJB

Jesus is in heaven now but is coming back..

’I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life. John 14:28

Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and I will leave the world and return to the Father." John 16:28

When we reject Jesus we reject God..

No one who denies the Son has any part with the Father, but affirming the Son is an embrace of the Father as well. Anyone who denies Jesus doesn’t have God either.1 John 2:23 NLT

We will all give an account:

Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow to me and every tongue will confess allegiance to God.’” Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God. Romans 14:10-12 NLT

About Forgiveness..

Jesus says: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.’ Luke 24:47

Why Jesus came..

So they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’ Acts 26:18 NLT

Why death on the cross?

According to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified by sprinkling with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 NLT

What awaits those who love God is beyond our wildest dreams…

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT

Tomorrow is promised to no man, don’t wait until it’s too late – today is the day to make your choice…

For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT

When they arrive at the gates of death, God welcomes those who love him. Psalm 116:15

2015 – From Elaine Costin – Capturing Sunrise

© Copyright 2015 Elaine Costin All Rights Reserved
Everything The Holy Spirit inspires me to write is under full copyright protection however the only purpose is to make sure people copy it right.

As long as you always clearly reference it as my work including my copyright statement at the bottom, keep it in its entirety without editing of any kind and link it to https://www.capturingsunrise.com/blog as the source, you have my permission to copy, print, and distribute my writings freely, as long as it is not for profit. If you wish to use my writings in a profit making capacity then permission must be granted by the author.