I was always looking for something real. I can remember in about year 7 at school, a history teacher encouraging us to look deeper into things, to not always trust what the man on T.V or the politicians said. I was raised in a very lukewarm Christian home, none of us were saved, it was more a Christmas, Easter and special occasions thing. I always believed in God but didn't truly know the Lord Jesus Christ. And so it went on, throughout my teenage years, 20's and well into my 30's.
Intuitively I knew that something was missing, things were going OK I suppose, I had a good job, some friends, lived in a fairly good part of town and liked music, travelling and playing/watching soccer, but deep in my heart I knew there was a longing, a sense that something was not quite right.
I suppose looking back you could say that I would pray to a God I didn't truly know.
Of course God being all knowing and full of mercy and love and being able to foresee that in time I would come to Him through repentance and faith, kept me safe through those years I spent in the spiritual wilderness.
As Christians, we don't always like using the word 'lost' about those that do not know God, but I can see now that I am saved and know Jesus Christ on a personal level that the term is a fitting description of those without Christ. You see Christ shines hope into an otherwise hopeless world.
When you come to know Jesus and understand what He has done for you, and you decide to call upon Him as your Saviour. It is as though a veil has been lifted from your eyes.
Whereas before you where blind, now you can see.
We've all heard those famous lyrics from the much loved hymn, Amazing Grace:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see...
What can you see? You can see truth! The Scriptures start to make perfect sense, life begins to make perfect sense! You start to switch your thinking from the temporal cares of this world to the bigger picture of eternity. You're mind is renewed, God gives you a new heart, a new life.
You are regenerated. Born again the Bible says.
There is a great quote that goes something like...When Jesus was on The Cross it wasn't the nails in His hands that kept Him there, but rather His love for mankind, His love for you and I.
You see, Jesus was God manifest in the flesh, God being 3 in 1, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit (who you shall receive if you call upon Jesus) He could have broken free and escaped at any time but He knew His Father's plan and with great honour He followed it through.
Jesus was completely without fault, He committed no sin yet suffered greatly to set us free.
The Bible says 'For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God;' Romans 3:23
When you trust in Jesus Christ and what He's already done for you, you are forgiven for all your transgressions, every sin you've ever committed, every thing you've ever done wrong and ever will, (past, present and future) paid for in full.
'But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.' Isaiah 53:5
This is the bit that some people miss, it's not about how good we are or what we can bring to the table, it's about what Jesus has already done for us through His death, burial and resurrection.
As Jesus was up on that Cross and about to die physically, He cried out It is finished.
Belief in His finished work is what brings us forgiveness, salvation and redemption.
Your debt is paid for in full through the Blood of Jesus.
The Saviour of the whole world to those who would simply come to him by faith.
'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.' Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 6:23 tells us '...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.'
The only thing you have to do to receive a gift is to accept it.
It was a gift to great for me, and millions of others before me, to refuse!
The Bible reads in John 3:3 'repent ye, and believe the Gospel.'
Repentance in a salvation context means simply turning from unbelief or trusting in your own dead works or whatever it was you were trusting in before to now changing your mind and heart towards God and calling upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save you.
'...repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.' Acts 20:21
Once you are saved you have eternal security and complete peace of mind that you are on your way to Heaven. The Spirit bears witness The Bible says and in John 3:16 The Bible tells us
'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'
Everlasting life meaning it's eternal, it's forever.
Upon Salvation, you will still feel the same in many ways. Spiritually everything changes, you are reborn, regenerated and brought from death to life, A new person whereas physically we remain the same.
The Apostle Paul spoke of the ongoing battle that continues in the Christian between the spirit and the flesh. Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 26:41 'Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'
Friend, Christians are not automatically delivered from sin at salvation, we are delivered from the penalty of sin and so the sanctification process begins. The Bible tells us that we are given a peace that passes all understanding. Thankfully, you will have the Holy Spirit helping you, guiding you and protecting you. Through His work you have the ability to overcome the struggles of this world.
I hope so much you will put your trust in Jesus and receive the free gift of eternal life.
It has been the greatest thing I ever did. If you do that you will truly belong in the greatest community of all...God's family.
'For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus'
Galatians 3:26
Here is a prayer to consider.
Dear Jesus,
I know I am a sinner and that I fall short,
but I believe that You died on The Cross for me.
Please save me and take me to Heaven when I die.
I'm trusting only in You, Jesus.
Amen
Intuitively I knew that something was missing, things were going OK I suppose, I had a good job, some friends, lived in a fairly good part of town and liked music, travelling and playing/watching soccer, but deep in my heart I knew there was a longing, a sense that something was not quite right.
I suppose looking back you could say that I would pray to a God I didn't truly know.
Of course God being all knowing and full of mercy and love and being able to foresee that in time I would come to Him through repentance and faith, kept me safe through those years I spent in the spiritual wilderness.
As Christians, we don't always like using the word 'lost' about those that do not know God, but I can see now that I am saved and know Jesus Christ on a personal level that the term is a fitting description of those without Christ. You see Christ shines hope into an otherwise hopeless world.
When you come to know Jesus and understand what He has done for you, and you decide to call upon Him as your Saviour. It is as though a veil has been lifted from your eyes.
Whereas before you where blind, now you can see.
We've all heard those famous lyrics from the much loved hymn, Amazing Grace:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see...
What can you see? You can see truth! The Scriptures start to make perfect sense, life begins to make perfect sense! You start to switch your thinking from the temporal cares of this world to the bigger picture of eternity. You're mind is renewed, God gives you a new heart, a new life.
You are regenerated. Born again the Bible says.
There is a great quote that goes something like...When Jesus was on The Cross it wasn't the nails in His hands that kept Him there, but rather His love for mankind, His love for you and I.
You see, Jesus was God manifest in the flesh, God being 3 in 1, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit (who you shall receive if you call upon Jesus) He could have broken free and escaped at any time but He knew His Father's plan and with great honour He followed it through.
Jesus was completely without fault, He committed no sin yet suffered greatly to set us free.
The Bible says 'For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God;' Romans 3:23
When you trust in Jesus Christ and what He's already done for you, you are forgiven for all your transgressions, every sin you've ever committed, every thing you've ever done wrong and ever will, (past, present and future) paid for in full.
'But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.' Isaiah 53:5
This is the bit that some people miss, it's not about how good we are or what we can bring to the table, it's about what Jesus has already done for us through His death, burial and resurrection.
As Jesus was up on that Cross and about to die physically, He cried out It is finished.
Belief in His finished work is what brings us forgiveness, salvation and redemption.
Your debt is paid for in full through the Blood of Jesus.
The Saviour of the whole world to those who would simply come to him by faith.
'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.' Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 6:23 tells us '...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.'
The only thing you have to do to receive a gift is to accept it.
It was a gift to great for me, and millions of others before me, to refuse!
The Bible reads in John 3:3 'repent ye, and believe the Gospel.'
Repentance in a salvation context means simply turning from unbelief or trusting in your own dead works or whatever it was you were trusting in before to now changing your mind and heart towards God and calling upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save you.
'...repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.' Acts 20:21
Once you are saved you have eternal security and complete peace of mind that you are on your way to Heaven. The Spirit bears witness The Bible says and in John 3:16 The Bible tells us
'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'
Everlasting life meaning it's eternal, it's forever.
Upon Salvation, you will still feel the same in many ways. Spiritually everything changes, you are reborn, regenerated and brought from death to life, A new person whereas physically we remain the same.
The Apostle Paul spoke of the ongoing battle that continues in the Christian between the spirit and the flesh. Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 26:41 'Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'
Friend, Christians are not automatically delivered from sin at salvation, we are delivered from the penalty of sin and so the sanctification process begins. The Bible tells us that we are given a peace that passes all understanding. Thankfully, you will have the Holy Spirit helping you, guiding you and protecting you. Through His work you have the ability to overcome the struggles of this world.
I hope so much you will put your trust in Jesus and receive the free gift of eternal life.
It has been the greatest thing I ever did. If you do that you will truly belong in the greatest community of all...God's family.
'For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus'
Galatians 3:26
Here is a prayer to consider.
Dear Jesus,
I know I am a sinner and that I fall short,
but I believe that You died on The Cross for me.
Please save me and take me to Heaven when I die.
I'm trusting only in You, Jesus.
Amen
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