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Read the Story!

“God saw all that he had made and it was very good.” In the beginning, everything was perfect! God, the ruler of the universe, created a world free of disasters, disease, poverty, broken relation- ships, drug abuse, war and death.

However, something awful, tragic and sad was about to happen... 

Flawed

Adam and Eve, the first humans, were given a simple test of obedience, but unfortunately they were persuaded to believe a lie that they could live independently of God and be happy. The consequences of their decision were devastating. Sin, like a virus, entered into the world and into our hearts. Sin has now infiltrated all of our lives.

FLAWED WORLD

You’ve seen it, heard it and felt it. Just look at the daily news: murder, kidnapping, earthquakes, school shootings, hurricanes, AIDS, homelessness, lying, cheating. The sad reality is that the world in which we live is horribly flawed!

FLAWED LIVES

We are far more flawed and far more sinful than we can dare imagine. This means any thought we have, any word we speak or anything we do that does not please a perfect God is sin. If we are honest, we know that we “all have sinned” in ways that we never expected. The truth is “the entire world is guilty before God.”

The guilt and pain caused by our sin leave us feeling sad, symbolized by the color blue. 

Forgiven

FORGIVENESS—OUR GREATEST NEED

Because of God’s love for people, He promised an incredible rescue so we could be forgiven. Forgiveness is a beautiful word and, whether we realize it or not, the greatest need of our lives. We have all experienced the feeling of relief when we have been forgiven by someone. God, who knows everything we have ever done, has provided the way to forgiveness for all the wrongs we have committed.

FORGIVENESS ONLY THROUGH JESUS

To be rescued and forgiven comes only through Jesus Christ. Because He loved us, two thousand years ago, God “became human (Jesus) and made His home among us.” He experienced love, joy, pain and sadness just as we do, yet He still lived a perfect, sinless life. He then suffered and died on a cross on our behalf. But why? “For Christ died for our sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Three days after He died, He came back to life through His resurrection. If we come to Him in faith, believing and trusting in Him, He will rescue us and forgive all of our sins.7 The red symbolizes the blood He shed for our forgiveness. 

Freedom

FREEDOM FROM PUNISHMENT

Freedom comes when you are forgiven and cleansed of all your sins. God will make your heart pure and clean, and your sins “as white as snow.” When you are completely forgiven, and trust in Him, God erases the punishment for sin, which is death. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus are no longer under God’s sentence.” Jesus took the punishment we deserve for our sin. The cleansing we receive is shown by the color white.

FREEDOM TO EXPERIENCE NEW LIFE

Freedom to live a life filled with purpose and true joy can be yours even in the midst of a troubled world. Now we can experience freedom from things that formerly enslaved us, like fear, lust, addiction and pride. Through this freedom we can enjoy a life pleasing to God. Jesus told us that He not only came to give us life, but to give it more abundantly.

Flourish 

FLOURISH THROUGH GRACE

God’s desire for you is to grow and flourish. He has told us “to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Him.” It’s not about religion or traditions, but a relationship. As in any relationship, it takes time and investment: time reading His book (the Bible), talking to Him openly (prayer) and worshipping and serving Him with others (church). All of these things are essential for us to grow and flourish in becoming more like Jesus. Flourishing is shown by the color green.

FLOURISH FOR THE GREATEST CAUSE

There is a yearning within all of us to live for a cause greater than ourselves. People all over the world give of their time and money for causes in which they believe. The greatest cause is taking the love and grace of Jesus to a world that is hurting. They desperately need to hear His message of salvation and receive His forgiveness. We show His kindness and compassion by serving our friends, our enemies and the world. 

Forever

FOREVER RESTORED

“And they all lived happily ever after.” As children, we were transported by these words to an imaginary world where everything was right. God is creating a new heaven and new earth that will far surpass anything our minds can imagine. The earth will be restored and everything will finally be as it was in the beginning – perfect. “I saw a new heaven and a new earth...God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

FOREVER WITH GOD

The highlight of this new kingdom is that we will forever be with God. C. S. Lewis compared the first step into the new kingdom as “Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” The Bible says this new kingdom “does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb (Jesus) is its lamp.” The gold represents the glory and splendor of Christ. 

*This content is used by permission from spreadtruth.com