How many of you wish that something in your life were different? “If only “this” or “that” were different, then I would be happy”…. Happy…. What in the world made any of us think that we were put on this earth to be happy?
How many of us live our lives though, in the pursuit of this “happy” that- let’s be honest, is usually short lived? If we all could just understand who we are; what it means to be “made in the image of God,” and the purposes for which He created us, then how would our lives be changed? I believe this is why so many of us are miserable. Very few of us understand who we really are in the eyes of God. And when I say God, how do I spell this? J-E-S-U-S.
Who is Jesus? Is He some Barbie deity that we dress up in different costumes for different occasions based on what works for us at the moment? Does He work for us, or do we submit to Him? Submission isn’t a popular term in our culture, but that doesn’t mean that we get to change God to suit this fact. Did Jesus proclaim to the people that “truth is relative, and if it feels right than please by all means, pursue it? I just want you to be HAPPY!” No, what He actually said, was- “I am THE way and THE truth and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6 (NIV). He did not say, “I am one of many ways,” or “I am one of many truths,” or, “I am one choice among many for the life giving salvation that the world needs.” No, He was perfectly clear on this issue. There is only one way to the Father, and what is that way? THROUGH HIM. How do you spell him? J-E-S-U-S. He did not lay down His life that day so that we could say with our mouths that we know Him or love Him, and then turn around and teach worldly “truths” in His name that are contrary to what He said. Jesus was NOT politically correct. He called it like it was. He came to convict the world. He is NOT “the great enabler.” Is this a popular belief these days? Absolutely not. That doesn’t change the truth though.
So many people don’t believe in truth anymore. They believe that truth to one person can be true for them, while another truth for another person can be true for them as well…basically, the only thing that cannot be absolutely true, is TRUTH! But, is that not an absolute statement?? So it can’t be true, right?
So many people have this image today of Christians as judgmental and close-minded, but the irony here is that our culture is quickly closing their minds against us in the name of open-mindedness. Christianity is not about judgment. It is about forgiveness….love….grace…..but in order to be forgiven, you have to know that you have wronged God or that you even need to be forgiven for that matter.
People will say things like, “If I am a good person, than when I die I will go to heaven.” What does a good person look like to a perfect God? It’s like one man who is 8 ft. tall saying to another who is 6 ft. tall, “I am closer to touching the moon than you are!” There is no such thing as a good person. We are all in the same boat here. Fortunately for us, God does not play favorites with His children. The only thing that He requires of us is that we call Him our Father. I’d say that is a pretty reasonable request for a God that left His throne in His perfect Kingdom to come live a life marked by unacceptance, mockery, betrayal, abuse, and an excruciatingly painful death.
He didn’t have to do it you know….but He saw YOUR face….and He couldn’t be without you….and a perfect and just God cannot allow sin into His Kingdom….it would be unjust and it would make Him a liar, which He is not. BUT, He saw YOUR face down here….He saw your tears…and He couldn’t take it another second, so He left His Kingdom, came down to earth, and eventually He laid His life down for YOU. All He wants is a “yes.” That’s it! The rest of the job is His! It’s not your responsibility to “be converted” and then try to be perfect! You will NEVER be perfect, so HE came in your place; the perfect sacrifice, and when you say yes to Him, He sends the Holy Spirit to you and you are changed. Suddenly, His desires become your desires as well….you’ll fail of course…A LOT….but He’s right there at your side, holding your hand and rooting you on.
Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ. There are no rigid rules and regulations that you have to follow. You don’t sign a contract stating that you will hate gays and only vote Republican for the rest of your life. It begins with OPENING YOUR MIND to the possibility that out of all of the available religions and philosophies surrounding you, WHAT IF those crazy Christians are right? What if we are? What then? Could you not just consider it for a second? Or MAYBE, you have been for a long time and you just don’t know what to do about it. With a repentant heart…. tell Him that you believe Him…that you know that you are a sinner in need of His salvation…that you want to know Him…and then ask Him to come into your heart….or something along those lines that is personal between the two of you. That’s it. HE DOES THE REST.
One last thing I would like to address, is people feeling insulted by Christians “pushing” their beliefs off on them. I am going to assume that you understand the premise of what we believe. Let me ask you then, based on that understanding, what would you think of me if I didn’t push? If you had the cure for cancer, and your friend was in front of you on their deathbed, would you give them the cure? What if your friend didn’t believe they had cancer? Or they knew, but they didn’t believe that there was such a thing as a cure? What if you knew they might even possibly no longer want to be your friend if you shared this knowledge with them? What would you do? What should I do? Some of you are in front of me on a daily basis…and you are hurting…and I have the cure. I love you too much to not tell you about it.
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