‘We have eternity in our hearts’ (Eccl. 3:11). We desire perfection. We hope, we dream, and we long for things to be perfect. Whether it’s our family, this world, or something else, we long for perfection and for all things to be as they should be. The Bible tells us that, in the beginning, all was perfect. Humans dwelt with God in a paradise. Our yearning to be back there is evident in everything we do.

But there is a problem.

The world is far from perfect. It’s broken. Nature seems against us. Humans cause pain, suffering, and injustice. Anger flows in our veins. We see the problem, and we are the problem. The Bible calls this problem ‘sin’. Way back in that perfect garden, man chose to live life for himself and apart from God, instead of following God and dwelling with God. Since that time, we have been trying to do it all on our own, living in a constant state of disobedience and rebellion against the holy God. How would an earthly ruler respond to such rebellion? As severe as the consequences would be, the consequences for our sin against God are even more dire. We have broken the laws set forth by God. We deserve a punishment we cannot bear. We owe a debt we cannot pay.

There is a solution.

Knowing that we could never fix this mess we’ve made on our own, God provided the solution. In fact, He is the solution. He is the one who stooped down to our level and entered our broken, messy world. Jesus Christ the Son of God (who is God!) came and lived among us. He saw our injustice, our anger, our greed, and our evil firsthand. He experienced our sorrow and our pain, and though he was the only truly good person, humanity killed him. But this was all part of God’s plan to rescue his fallen creation.

Because, you see, though Jesus himself knew no sin, he willingly took the punishment that we deserved for our rebellion. This punishment was so much more than the painful death he died on the cross - he also experienced God’s full wrath over the disobedience and rebellion of sinful humanity. Jesus took the punishment we could not bear, because he loved us enough to take our place. And after this inconceivable exchange, something even more wondrous occurred - having satisfied his requirement for justice, God raised Jesus from the dead, to never die again. He reigns and rules - alive! - in heaven, and one day he will come again, to make all things right.

Why did it have to be this way? You see, God is both just and merciful. Not only do we have an innate desire for perfection, but we also desire justice. If someone robs you, you want your belongings restored and the robber punished. If someone slights you, you want retribution! We desire justice (and rightfully so), because God desires justice. It is only in Christianity and only in Jesus that justice is dealt and mercy flows forth in the death of Jesus. He dies to satisfy God’s justice. He extends mercy to show forth God’s love.

That’s why we are here, planting a church. To tell this story. To see people’s lives changed. To proclaim that there is hope in our broken world. That there is a solution to injustice. That this perfection we long for isn’t just an empty dream but a coming reality in Jesus Christ! The Bible tells us if we confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that he has come to rescue us, that our sins can be forgiven, and that we gain a new life, a life that never ends. This is truly the greatest news possible, and it is our desire to share that wonderful news in Gloucester and beyond. We would love for you to get in touch with us to find out more!