far as the East is from the West

Often times, as someone who has grown up in the church, I think of the Gospel as something that everyone knows and just how simple it seems to be. As you take a closer look at the Gospel, you begin to see just how extravagant the Gospel really is.

There was something that separated God from Man and this was sin. Jesus Christ, the one and only son of God, came to Earth from Heaven to get rid of that separation. He was sent from God to experience the same emotions and confusion that we go through every day. Jesus saw the sin of the world, but he was able to live a sinless life while living on Earth. Although Jesus was perfect, he died a sinner’s death, crucified on a cross to take away every single one of our sins. When Jesus died and rose from the grave three days later, we were invited in to have a full relationship with Father God without any separation. As soon as we accept God into our hearts we are no longer sinners, we are brand new creations!

When I was first asked to share the message of the gospel, I realized I knew the gospel but I did not really comprehend what really happened. Jesus DIED for YOU and ME so that we could live a PERFECT and blameless life. We need to accept what Jesus did for us on the cross and ask God into our hearts, but most importantly allow ourselves to be loved and realize that we are in a relationship with God and that it is NOT about laws and rules.

Many people who have grown up in the church or even gone to events or groups in a church, are being taught about God and Jesus and who they are. Few are told what Jesus did for you and me on the cross, the Gospel is simple yet extravagant. God wants that relationship with us. He wants us to know Him more than you may know you want to get to know Him. His love is never-ending.

In the beginning of November, the Compassion Track was able to travel to Oakland, California for a week. We worked with City Team, an organization that helps men transform their lives with Christ at the center from their broken pasts. This week was an incredible time of being able to encourage the men in the program as well as serving the community.  While on this trip, I really began to fully understand the Gospel to its full extent. I realized that Jesus died for each and everyone of us, no matter what we have done in our lives. As soon as we accept God into our hearts, every single sin is forgiven – erased. We do not have a sin nature yet we are made completely new by God because of His great love for us. (Here are some pictures from that week!!)