WHAT WE BELIEVE

We are a family who has gone through a massive ordeal in coping with our children having been sexually abused. It is through our faith in Jesus Christ that we have been able to survive everything we have had to face.

We often reflect on how difficult it must be for people without faith to survive such catastrophic events.

Through faith, we have learned that Jesus has walked the path with us. If you are reading this, you may be asking a common question

If God is real – if He is a loving and caring God – why would He allow such things to happen to children?

Taking this into consideration we believe that:

One of the ultimate gifts of God, the Creator, is free will. When God created us, He did so in His image. However, we all fall short of what God calls us to. The Bible calls this 'sin'. God does not simply allow sin; the fact that we can choose to sin is a reflection of our free will to choose right from wrong.

We believe that:

God the Father sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross, a little over 2,000 years ago, to pay for our sin. This is like being in a courtroom standing before a judge, whilst bearing an un-payable debt. While you are looking at the consequences of this un-payable debt, in walks somebody who willingly pays the debt for you. The judge then has no need to penalise you because the debt has been paid in full. That’s exactly what Jesus did when He died on the cross on Calvary’s Hill – he paid the debt for our sin.

We believe that:

God the Father loves all people and calls us all to repent; that is, to turn away from sin and towards God. Romans 3:23 says, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Through His Son Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sins is given freely to all who wish to receive that free gift.

If you would like to know more, then please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with as much information as we can.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Having a relationship with God is not about what you do – it is about what Jesus has done. It is not about who we are, but who Jesus is

John 3:16 says, For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

We need to know that God loves each one of us passionately, and has a good plan for each of our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

God wants us to live life to the full. In John 10:10, Jesus says, The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

He wants us to be in relationship with him always, which is why he created us. Because of sin, which was allowed to enter the world by human disobedience to God, we are now separated from that close relationship that God desires so much.

Jesus is God's solution. A price needed to be paid for our sins. But instead of us having to pay that price, Jesus willingly paid it, dying on the cross for us. His blood, poured out for us on that day, was a priceless gift to us. All we need to do is acknowledge that we all have done ‘wrong things’ and ask for God's forgiveness, then acknowledge that Jesus has paid our debt, and ask Him to be the Lord of our life.

This is a life-changing decision that needs to be taken seriously. It’s a life and death situation. After making such a decision, God looks on us through His Son: we have then taken on the role of a royal member of his family. Our adoption into God's family will change us forever, if we allow Him to be in control.

I can’t promise an easy life but I can promise you that if you pray to Jesus and ask Him into your life, He will always be with you, holding your hand through all that life throws at you. He promises that He will never let you go. In John 10:28-29 Jesus says, “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand”.

As a result of this decision, your attitude to life and your behaviour will be changed.

Giving your life to Jesus is an act of faith that you can easily start today with a simple prayer.

Faith is not just about believing certain 'facts'; it’s about living out our belief in Jesus by following God's way, relying on His trustworthiness, and learning to see the bigger picture. As believers in Jesus, we realise that whatever happens in life, God is still God and still in control.

Praying is just talking to God; He already knows you and your heart's desire and character. The words themselves are not important – what really matters is the attitude with which you pray, and your honesty. We suggest a simple prayer like the following:

Dear God... I am sorry for the wrong things that I have done in my life. Please forgive me. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die on the cross for me. I invite you into my life so that you can set me free from sin. Thank you God, and I pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

If you have prayed that prayer for the first time, congratulations! You are now guaranteed eternal life. We encourage you to share your decision with someone else. If you have prayed this prayer (or if you are still considering this important decision), we would love to hear from you and can send some literature to you if you would like us to. So, either contact us on info@attheark.org.au, or send us a comment on Facebook.