“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” – Jesus
If you’ve been thinking about the Christian life and wondering where and how to begin, there’s no better time than now.
Christianity is about living in the right relationship with God, guided by faith in Jesus Christ. At its core is an essential belief in God, who created everything, Jesus Christ, God’s son, who died on the cross for humanity’s sins, and rose again to offer eternal life to those who believe in him, and a belief in the Bible as God’s word, which serves as a guide for life and faith.
However, Christianity isn’t about following a set of rules, but rather about a different way of being – trusting in Jesus for forgiveness and new life, growing closer to God through prayer, worship, and learning from the Bible, and being transformed through the work of the Holy Spirit in your character and choices.
It’s a life of action; as you endeavour to love God and love people, serving others and caring for those who are in need, and sharing the good news of hope and forgiveness found in Jesus with others. It is a life of community; as you build relationships with other believers, receiving encouragement and support, and growing together in faith (this is the community the Bible calls the church).
Being a Christian doesn’t mean you have all the answers. It’s okay to have questions or doubts and it’s okay if you’ve made mistakes in the past. God is seeking relationship with you, He certainly doesn’t expect you to understand everything straight away and neither is He shocked at your past. This is how much God loves you: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).
God invites you into a relationship: walk with me. You accept His invitation with a single step of faith and a simple yes.
God, I know that I don’t have all the answers, and I’ve made mistakes in my life.
Thank You for loving me and for sending Jesus to die for my sins.
I want to start a relationship with You today.
Please forgive me, guide me, and help me to trust You.
I invite You into my life and ask You to lead me in Your ways.
Thank You for Your grace and for giving me hope.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“The call to follow Jesus is not simply an invitation to enjoy a new relationship with God as a private individual. It is an invitation to be part of God’s renewal of the world.” – N T Wright
who am i?
First of all, know this. You are loved.
The God of all the Universe, the One in whose image you’re made loves you. He knows you; your innermost fears, your deepest insecurities, and your hopes and dreams for the future. He has counted every hair on your head.
This is the same God who can count the stars by name, who has caused worlds to come into being, and who has decided that no two snowflakes should be the same.
This God is interested in knowing and being known by you.
As part of the human race, you were made for relationship with God and created with purpose, intended to rule over this world and all the creatures that live in it wisely and well, as one of God’s image-bearers. Being an image bearer of God means that when you look at a person, you see God. And, in a collective sense, when you look at humanity, you see God.
You are a unique and incredible part of His plan of glory and goodness. But the introduction of sin into the world brought about terrible consequences for all creation. We live in a fallen world, with the echoes of our intended greatness all around us, but now subject to decay, death, hopelessness, and despair. We are separated from true and whole relationship with God, but He has made a way for that breach to be healed and relationship to be restored.
who is god?
Long before the stars were hung in the inky velvet of our night sky, God was there. Long before the planets of our universe were assembled in their places, and the earth and sky and sun of our very own planet appeared, God was there. Before there was anything, God was there.
God has always been there.
God is The Subject Of Life. The Centre Of Everything. The Story of the Bible starts with Him and ends with Him
He is the Creator of all things, the source of all life, sovereign over all, powerful, and perfect. Without beginning and without end, He is eternal, holy, clothed in light, glorious as the sun. Yet He is also tender, loving, forgiving, as compassionate as any mother to her children, and as protective as any father defending His family.
This is the God introduced to us in the first pages of Genesis, the One who created both the visible and the invisible, who walks on the waves of the sea, who gives life to all things, and whom all the host of heaven worships.
What we think about God is important. How can we begin to know and understand ourselves and our place in this expansive creation if we have no sense of the One who made us and the purpose for which we’ve been made? But until Jesus came, no one had ever seen God face to face.
To know God is to know Jesus, whom He sent (John 17:3), and, therefore, the true starting point of knowing God is looking to Jesus.
who is jesus?
Jesus is the only Son of God, the Word Who was in the beginning with God and through whom and for whom all things were created. He was before all things and in him, all things hold together.
The ancients styled him ‘the logos’, the logic, wisdom, and truth by which all the world is held together and who is the source of light and life for humanity.
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to a virgin, the invisible God made visible. Truly human and truly God, he was sent into the world to save and redeem it from sin, forming the great bridge of redemption between God and humanity.
To know Jesus is to know God—for in Him, the fullness of God is revealed. Through Jesus, we encounter the heart of God—His love, His mercy, His justice, and His desire for a restored relationship with humanity.
Jesus declared, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9), emphasising the unity between Himself and God. In His life, we see God’s compassion as He healed the sick, embraced the outcast, and forgave sinners. In His teachings, we hear the wisdom and truth of God’s Kingdom, inviting us to live as He intended from the beginning. And in His sacrificial death and resurrection, we witness the depth of God’s love and His power to overcome sin and death.
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again after three days. His resurrection forms the cornerstone of the Christian faith, for, as Paul the Apostle comments, if Christ didn’t rise, faith is in vain, nothing makes sense, and we are of all people completely hopeless and helpless (1 Corinthians 15:14).
Now ascended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of God awaiting the day that he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
what is the bible?
What we know as the Bible today is a collection of ancient texts, considered to be sacred scripture by both Judaism and Christianity. The Hebrew Bible or Old Testament is comprised of the Torah (the five books of the law), the Prophets, and the Wisdom Writings, while the Christian Bible includes both the Old Testament Hebrew books as well as the New Testament Christian gospels, letters, and other writings.
The Hebrew Bible is primarily a literature of faith; recounting the story of human history and the human condition, and humanity’s relationship to the God who created us. More specifically, it’s concerned with God and His people – the nation of Israel, to whom He makes covenant promises and to whom, ultimately, a saviour is promised.
The Christian New Testament includes the four gospel accounts, the Acts of the Apostles, several pastoral letters to the early church, and the apocalyptic book of Revelation, Jesus’ message to the early churches in the area of Asia Minor.
It continues the themes found in the Hebrew Bible, and, indeed, teaches that these themes have found their fulfillment, resolution, and conclusion in the life and person of Jesus Christ, the saviour promised in the Hebrew scriptures.
The Bible is considered by Christians to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It serves as the foundation for Christian faith, practice, and theology, offering guidance for living, understanding God’s character, and His relationship with humanity.
what is sin?
Sin is disobedience to God’s moral law, a powerful, destructive force that humans find deeply challenging to resist. Since the fall in the garden, humanity has been subject to sin, constantly battling against the pull of our own self-will, which so often opposes God. Though we may desire to do good, sin’s influence can seem overpowering, weakening our resolve to choose the right.
The entrance of sin into the world gives death its claim over humanity. We face mortality, and sin deepens death’s hold. Yet, Christ offers freedom from sin’s ultimate consequence, and death’s power does not reign supreme over those who are in Him.
Sin lies in wait like a crouching animal, lurking where we are weakest. It is a twisted mockery of God’s intended order, ruling through deception and bringing death as the only reward for a life spent in its service. Though humanity brought sin into the good world God created, we are not left without hope: God’s power is greater, and in Him, we find strength to resist.
what is the gospel?
God’s salvation, through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection from the dead, brings reconciliation (“atonement”) between people and God. It’s a message of hope, forgiveness, and blessing for the whole world (Luke 14:15-24). Through Jesus, we have forgiveness of sins and the blessing of God’s grace. We have the assurance of escaping the finality of death.
This message of salvation is part of what the Bible describes as ‘the Good News of the Kingdom of God and the things which concern Jesus Christ’ (Acts 8:12).
It’s called in other places ‘the Gospel of the Grace of God’ (Acts 20:24), ‘the Gospel of Jesus’ (Romans 1:9), ‘Christ’s Gospel’ (2 Corinthians 2:12), ‘the Gospel of God’ (1 Thessalonians 2:2) and ‘the Gospel of Salvation’ (Ephesians 1:13). It’s often referred to by Paul the Apostle as the Gospel of Grace, because in it we see God’s love for humanity demonstrated through His grace – His undeserved favour and kindness, bestowed on the human race.
The Bible promises that whoever believes [the Gospel] and is baptised will be saved (Mark 16:16, NIV). Believing God’s promise and trusting in Jesus for forgiveness and new life is taking the first step in the journey of a lifetime.
what is grace?
In Christian theology, grace refers to the unmerited favor and love of God toward humanity. It is central to the Christian understanding of salvation, emphasising that people are saved not by their own efforts or merit but as a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace therefore sits at the heart of the gospel, permeating every aspect, giving it weight and power.
Beyond salvation, grace is seen as a transformative power that shapes the way Christians live, serve others, and extend forgiveness and kindness.
Grace is an important aspect of the Christian faith, emphasising God’s generosity and love in giving people what they do not deserve—eternal life, forgiveness, and strength to live according to His will.
what is baptism?
To baptise means to immerse, to submerge, or to make fully wet.
It is God’s arrangement for a person to gain a clean conscience based on their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ – an outward demonstration of an inward conversion. It was intimately connected with repentance in the New Testament; that is, to reject one’s former way of living and to commit to a new life following Jesus. The Bible describes it as both dying to sin and also being born again as a new creation.
Baptism in New Testament times was deeply ceremonial, begun by John-the-Baptist (John 1:6, 29-34). It quickly became a popular event among the people of John’s day, with many coming to the River Jordan to spectate on and participate in “the baptism of John the Baptist”. For many, however, it was viewed more as a ‘hip’ life experience, rather than a complete lifestyle change.
John the Baptist, however, made it clear when addressing the crowds that a little water meant nothing if they weren’t prepared to change their lives. Baptism needed to ignite the kingdom life within a believer, changing a person from the inside out.
The gospel of Matthew (3:15) records that Jesus himself was baptised “to fulfill all righteousness”, demonstrating his solidarity with sinners and his willingness to bear their burdens. It was also a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of his public ministry.
what is the holy spirit?
Known as the “Comforter” or “Advocate” (Greek: Paraclete), the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the process of sanctification, helping believers grow in holiness and become more Christlike in their character and actions. Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the “Comforter” or “Advocate,” assuring His followers that He would not leave them as orphans but would send the Holy Spirit in His absence to guide them into all truth and remind them of everything He had taught them (John 14:16-18, 26).
The Holy Spirit is the personal presence of God, fully divine and active throughout history. From the hovering over the waters at creation (Genesis 1:2) to empowering the prophets and anointing Christ for His earthly ministry, the Spirit is God’s power at work in the world. This same Spirit now indwells believers, enabling them to live according to God’s will, convicting them of sin, and equipping them for good works (Romans 8:11, John 16:8).
Beyond sanctification, the Holy Spirit is also the giver of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and the source of divine boldness for witnessing (Acts 1:8). Without the Spirit’s empowerment, human efforts are insufficient, but with Him, believers are strengthened to bear fruit that glorifies God—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
The Spirit doesn’t merely help; He transforms. He enables believers to move beyond passive acknowledgment of God’s truth into a dynamic, Spirit-filled life that reflects Christ to the world. To resist or grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) is to reject the very power that enables obedience and fellowship with God. Thus, yielding to the Holy Spirit is not optional for believers; it is essential for living a life that pleases God.
As we grow in understanding the Holy Spirit’s role, we are called to respond in faith, seeking His filling daily (Ephesians 5:18), submitting to His guidance, and relying on His strength. Through the Spirit, we are assured of our adoption as God’s children (Romans 8:15-16) and equipped to fulfill our mission to proclaim the Gospel, making disciples of all nations.
what is resurrection?
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, proving his validity as the Son of God, completing God’s plan of salvation, and securing the Christian hope of life after death. “As wonderful as Jesus’ life and teachings and miracles were, they were meaningless if it were not historically factual that Christ died and was raised from the dead and that this provided atonement, or forgiveness, of the sins of humanity.” (Craig L Blomberg)
What God began in the resurrection of Jesus is what He intends to do for all of creation; to regenerate, to restore, and to fully dwell with His creation in all His glory. Resurrection, then, is both a present reality (Christians are ‘raised to a new life’ when they commit to following Jesus and are baptised) and a future hope and expectation (death is not the end – believers will be raised to life again and receive glorified, imperishable bodies suited for eternal life).
In summary, resurrection in Christian theology is not only a historical event but also a future hope and a present reality. It is the divine act that secures salvation, promises eternal life, and empowers believers to live transformed lives in anticipation of God’s ultimate renewal of all things.
what is communion?
Communion is the Christian ordinance of drinking wine and eating bread together ‘in remembrance and thanks’ for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.
The bread is a symbol of Jesus’ body, broken for humanity’s sins, while the wine is a symbol of his blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins and also the establishment of the New Covenant.
Communion has its roots in the ancient Jewish festival meal of Passover, which commemorated freedom from bondage in Eqypt, and is a powerful metaphor of the greater story of deliverance that God enacted through Jesus on behalf of the world.
Communion is a deeply meaningful practice that connects Christians to the heart of their faith—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a time for reflection, thanksgiving, and renewal, reminding believers of the grace they have received and the hope they have in Christ.
what is discipleship?
The term disciple comes from a Greek word which means learner or follower. A disciple is someone who learns from a master in the style of an apprentice so as to eventually become like their teacher.
In a Christian context, discipleship involves not just believing Jesus but also following him, and committing to live under his teachings and example. It is a commitment that involves sacrifice, self-denial, and sometimes persecution, but also comes with the promise of God himself to never leave nor forsake those who follow Him.
Core elements of discipleship include accepting Jesus as Lord and saviour, learning and obeying his teachings, character transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit, bearing spiritual fruit (Galatians 5), and being connected to Jesus’ community, mentoring and teaching others to follow Jesus.
Discipleship is central to the Christian faith, combining personal growth, communal connection, and the mission of spreading the Gospel.
I love to write and chat about a broad range of biblical topics and you’ll find many of the thoughts above expanded on in my articles or on the podcast.
This site is certainly not intended to be exhaustive, but rather a place for readers to engage with various Christian topics, perhaps consider things from a different or new perspective and, ultimately, hear the good news about Jesus!
There’s a beautiful little passage in Romans 10 that says, “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” But it also goes on to say “how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?”
And that’s why I do what I do! The message about Jesus is such good news but unless someone tells someone else, how will anyone hear about it? So, like many others, I’m just following a long tradition that began with the early gospel writers, to whom Jesus said “go and tell”.
If you have anything in particular you’d like to chat about, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect!
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptised, and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” – Acts 22