Thursdays are going to be spent working a little Theology (study of God) together – starting with the EFCA statement of faith found here.

The Evangelical Free Church of America is an association of autonomous churches united around these theological convictions:

The Human Condition

3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.

God’s image is the first thing one should notice here… man was made in His image. Many have argued what that is over the centuries, but all agree that it at minimum is “personhood” or one might say “existence and understanding.” Here are some other ideas (or some combination of these) of what “image” is: creativity, ability to ponder/think existentially, spirit/physical communion (animals and angels do not have both), dominion, speech, wisdom, etc. What do you think “image” is?

They didn’t last long, and were tempted by Satan – leading to sin. Sin is the scourge of the earth, leaving it broken, hurting and longing for freedom (Ro 8:19-22) due to man’s transgression. It was an innocent bystander of Satan’s wickedness. Due to Adam’s sin, mankind is born to sin – doing so without even trying, often. We see this in Romans 5:12-14 and other places. It is this sin, this filth – due to our first choice! – that separates us from a perfect, sinless God. There is nothing we can do to fix this – it alienates us. We are nothing, He is everything. Do you believe this?

Only Jesus can rescue us – do you believe this? It is more than an annoying topic you have heard in church your whole life. It is more than suggesting that we might be bad, but if we are “good enough” we can make it on our own (as so many have said to me over the years). We are separated and alienated. The valley is too deep and the mountain too high. Jesus came to cover those valleys and lower those mountains. We are His – in Christ and only if we are in Christ – and that allows us to be rescued, reconciled and renewed. Are you with Him? Are you moving toward Him? This is unpopular today, I know, but we are sinners saved by a loving God – all of us – and we like to try to do things our way. That way always fails. The only way is His. Trust Him… walk with us… become a follower of the Way.