PROBLEM: WE ALL HAVE A PROBLEM...
MISSING THE MARK: The first symbol is of a target and a mark outside the target
The target stands for trying to hit the mark in life by being a good person, and the mark outside the target stands for missing that mark. In life we try to hit the bullseye by living a good life (examples: not cussing, doing good things, going to church). Even if we are a very good person, we all miss this mark. This mark is perfection. Even if we have one mark outside of perfection then we are guilty of missing this mark. The Bible calls this idea of missing the mark sin (sin is anything that goes against the will of God) - Romans 3:23. If we sin even once, we have missed the mark, and the Bible says we have all sinned, therefore we have all missed the mark.
SEPARATION: The second symbol is a two sided arrow pointing in opposite directions
This stands for separation, because we have all missed the mark we are separated from God. The first and second symbol together represent a problem, the problem being since we are all sinners and have all missed the mark then we are all separated from God.God's standard for our lives is perfection (Matthew 5:48). The Bible says that no matter how many times we hit the bullseye of living a good life, if we miss the mark (sin) even one time (which the Bible says we have all done), then we are eternally separated from God. (Romans 6:23). We cannot do any amount of good deeds to erase this separation. Because we have missed all the mark/sinned we are all separated from God, which is a huge problem. Every problem has a . . . ?
SOLUTION: WHAT IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM?
JESUS as KING and SAVIOR: The third symbol is a cross sitting on a thrown
The cross stands for what Jesus did, which is dying for our sins on the cross, the cross is sitting on a chair or thrown, which symbolizes who Jesus is, which is King over our lives. The third symbol represents the solution to the problem of sin and separation. The solution to sin and separation from God is Jesus Christ. What Jesus did to solve the problem of sin and separation, is that He came down to earth as fully God and fully man, lived a sinless, perfect life, died on the cross, paying the penalty, for our sin. But the story didn't end there. Jesus rose from the dead three days later, and today is the living King of everything, which includes being King over our lives. (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). When we go to church, pray, and worship Jesus, we are worshipping a King that is living and powerful, who is not constrained to pages in a book. Jesus died for our sin so that our punishment for our sin was paid for by Jesus, on the cross. So since Jesus died on the cross, we now have an opportunity to accept this solution (John 3:16). If we accept this solution, there is no longer separation from God. No sin, No separation.
HOW DO I ACCEPT THE SOLUTION?
FAITH: The fourth symbol is of a mountain, this stands for faith
We must stop trusting in good deeds and head knowledge of the problem and solution, and place our faith in Jesus Christ. The fourth symbol represents how we accept the solution of Jesus Christ. We accept this solution by placing our faith in Jesus Christ accepting forgiveness for sins, and making Jesus King of our life. We must put our faith in not only what Jesus did but also who Jesus is as King. Faith is a simple concept; it is simply placing your trust in Jesus Christ alone, turning from a life of sin and self indulgence and turning to a life dedicated to serving Jesus as King over you and all creation. We must stop trusting in facts about Jesus and trying to do good things in life (hitting the mark) and start placing our faith in Jesus to forgive us of our sins, and start recognizing Him as King over our lives. It is not until then, that the problem of separation and sin can be solved. We must place our faith not in head knowledge, but in who Jesus is and what He has done to have a relationship with us. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Are you ready to make this life Commitment? Click "What Now" to learn more.