Eternal Perspective Q&A (Things I wish I had known earlier):
1. Why are we here? People travel the world searching for their "purpose" in life, yet we need look no farther than scripture. God, the Creator of the universe, created us to worship Him! He is worthy of all praise and worship and when we worship Him, amazing things happen. We enter into fellowship with the one true living God!
2. How can we come to know and worship God? God has revealed Himself in a number of ways. First, He has revealed Himself in creation, for the heavens declare the glory of God. He also reveals Himself through the Bible. The Old Testament was written by different people over time, yet all that was foretold of the coming Messiah was fulfilled in the New Testament with the birth, life, miracles, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. God reveals Himself in the person and life of Jesus Christ. And finally, God reveals Himself through His church (those who worship Him in spirit and truth). Examine the lives of the faithful.
3. Why did Jesus die on the cross? Jesus died on the cross but rose from the tomb, conquering death. He came to Earth for that purpose. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. God is forgiving--unto the point of providing for our salvation through the cross and resurrection of Christ. Jesus stretched out His arms on the cross and His sacrifice was for us all; however, we must choose to follow Him and place our trust in Him. There were two criminals crucified beside our Lord. One asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom. The other never turned from ridiculing Jesus. The Orthodox cross has a tilted bar at the bottom as a memorial that one criminal chose Jesus and one rejected Him. Jesus told the first, "Today you will be with me in Paradise." We must confess our sins and turn from our sins, placing our faith and trust in God through Jesus Christ. The good news is that Jesus paid the penalty FOR us! The choice is ours. We must accept this free gift before we enter eternity!
4. How can I learn more and find a church? I've been a Christian for many years and am very thankful to have found the Orthodox Christian Church. The Orthodox church is found all over the world and trace their beginnings to the original church founded by the apostles. I attend Holy Cross Orthodox Church of America in High Point, North Carolina. I encourage you to visit www.oca.org which has wonderful resources and www.holycrossoca.org which is the website of our church.
