How can I get to know God?
Well, there’s good news and bad news. First, the good news:
GOD LOVES YOU VERY MUCH. HE HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE!
"God loves you" is no cliche. It is a deeply profound truth that will affect our lives in extraordinary ways if we come to understand it. We are valuable in God’s eyes. How incredible it is to realize that the infinite Creator of the universe knows us and cares for us! In fact, long before we ever had an interest in God, He came looking for us!
"The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost." (Luke, chapter 19, verse 10)
"God loved the people of this world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and never really die." (John, chapter 3, verse 16)
God’s plan at work in our lives results in meaning and purpose, peace and direction.
"I have come to give life in all of its fullness." (Jesus, in John, chapter 10, verse 10)
God’s plan is for us to be reconciled to Himself, to live in a vital personal relationship with Him and to have eternal life.
"And this is the only way to have eternal life– to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth." (John, chapter 17, verse 3)
But now, the bad news:
WE ARE ALL IN GREAT NEED AND UNABLE TO HELP OURSELVES SPIRITUALLY. WE ARE ALL SINFUL AND SEPARATED FROM GOD.
It is no surprise to any of us that in life, we experience pain and suffering. But often we fail to realize that suffering is caused directly or indirectly by sin.
WHAT IS SIN?
Sin is often thought of as individual acts of deliberate disobedience toward God. While this is true, sin has greater and farther-reaching implications than that. Many times, the Bible speaks of sin as "missing the mark" ("failing to hit the bulls-eye, " if you will). We are often aware of the burden of guilt created by our sinfulness. But sin is like a disease that pervades all humankind. Because of its effect on our lives in ways we cannot imagine, even the good that we try to do– even the most noble, loving, righteous acts– are tainted by its influence.
"For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard." (Paul, in Romans, chapter 3, verse 23)
"But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!" (Psalm 14, verse 3)
"All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way..." (Isaiah, chapter 53, verse 6a)
"We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away." (Isaiah, chapter 64, verse 6)
"If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all." (James, chapter 2, verse 10)
"If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn’t in our hearts." (1 John, chapter 1, verse 8)
You see, sin is not as simple as isolated acts of rebellion. We sin by being, doing, thinking, and saying what we shouldn’t. We sin by not being, doing, thinking, and saying what we should. We seldom have a clue just how far from God we are.
We come into this world with a sinful nature – a self-will that is sometimes expressed as active rebellion against God, but is expressed just as often in passive indifference towards Him. It is going our own way rather than God’s. And to make matters worse, our pride makes it difficult for us to admit that we’re incapable and ill-equipped to handle life’s problems alone.
In Charles Schulz’ comic strip "Peanuts," Charlie Brown is often feeling the weight of his inability to deal with life. Once, while talking to his friend, Linus, Charlie Brown explained his sense of inadequacy: "You see, Linus, it goes all the way back to the beginning. The moment I was born and set foot on the stage of life, they took one look at me and said, ‘Not right for the part!’"
In a way, that’s an accurate assessment of us all. We are completely unable to play the part that our loving Creator intended for us to play in life.
We can’t compare ourselves to others– because all people are affected by sin. One person may think he/ she is better (more moral, religious, worthy) than the next person, but the Bible is clear: all have sinned, we cannot pay for our sins, and our condition has already taken it’s toll on us. Through our own efforts, we are unable to improve our spiritual condition, no matter how we may try to do so.
Think about this: If two people were standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, it is unlikely that you would hear one boast to the other that he could jump farther than his friend. That is because they both know that it doesn’t matter how far they try to jump– neither would come close to making it to the other side. Comparing our "goodness" to that of others or trying to reach God on our own is just as absurd.
WHAT DOES SIN DO?
Sin separates us from the God who loves us. We all find ourselves spiritually lost, and far from God.
"God is on one side and all the people are on the other side." (Paul, in 1 Timothy, chapter 2, verse 5a)
"...your sins have made a separation between you and your God..." (Isaiah, chapter 59, verse 2)
Sin causes spiritual death and judgment.
"You may think you are on the right road, but in the end it leads to death*." (Proverbs 14:12)"Sin pays off with death*. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Paul, in Romans , chapter 6, verse 23)
(*not only physical death, which all people experience; but spiritual death, which separates us from God. This is called "hell." Thus, we are prevented from experiencing abundant life now, and life that lasts forever when this life is over.)
Sin causes us to miss out on the good that God wants for us.
"I have come to give life in all of its fullness." (Jesus, in John, chapter 10, verse 10)
But now, more good news!
JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY PROVISION FOR OUR NEED (THE HUMAN SIN PROBLEM). HE ALONE IS ABLE TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN US AND GOD. ONLY THROUGH HIM CAN WE COME TO KNOW GOD AND HIS LOVE.
He willingly died in our place and paid the penalty for our sin– past, present, and future. He was no pawn in a great cosmic plan. He knew what He was doing when He offered His life in our place. He did this because our sin had to be punished (because God is holy, righteous and perfect, without sin) but also so that we would not have to take that punishment (because God loves us).
"But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (Paul, in Romans, chapter 5, verse 8)
"...the Lord gave Him the punishment we deserved.... The Lord decided His Servant would suffer as a Sacrifice to take away the sin and guilt of others.... He did everything the Lord has planned." (Isaiah, chapter 53, verses 6b, 10)
"God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between Himself and us.... What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to be reconciled to God. For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the Offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (Paul, in 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verses 18-21)
He rose from the dead. He is not a dead religious figure. He is alive and able to make good on His promise to rescue us and give us life. And He will never leave or forsake those who are in Him.
"But very early on Sunday morning, the women came to the tomb.... They found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside. So they went in, but they couldn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. They were puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it. Suddenly, two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed low before them. Then the men asked, ‘Why are you looking in a tomb for Someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He has risen from the dead! Don’t you remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again the third day?" (Luke, chapter 24, verses 1-7)
"Then He said, ‘When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about Me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true.’ Then He opened their minds to understand these many Scriptures. And He said, ‘Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day.... There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to Me. You are witnesses of all these things." (Luke, chapter 24, verses 44-48)
Jesus Christ is the only way to God. He can reconcile us with the Father, because He is both human and divine. This makes Him uniquely qualified to be our Savior (redeemer, rescuer, deliverer).
"‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!’ Jesus answered. ‘Without Me, no one can go to the Father." (John, chapter 14, verse 6)
"There is only one God, and Christ Jesus is the only One who can bring us to God. Jesus was truly human, and He gave Himself to rescue all of us. God showed us this at the right time." (Paul, in 1 Timothy, chapter 2, verses 5, 6)
"Only Jesus has the power to save! His Name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone." (Peter, in Acts, chapter 4, verse 12)
Some people say that it is narrow-minded to believe that there is only one way to come to know God. But suppose you could not swim and were about to sink in treacherous waters. Then, as you were about to drown, someone from a nearby boat threw you a life-line. You would not say, "No, thanks. I’ll wait for someone else to come along." You would accept the rescue gratefully. Likewise, God is gracious and merciful to have provided a way for our spiritual rescue. But He did not simply toss us a rope or a life-ring. Our rescue cost Him a great deal. We did not deserve to have Jesus Christ come and suffer on our behalf to make our rescue possible. Still, He made it possible for us to be forgiven, reconciled to the Father, have eternal life, and realize His wonderful plan for our lives. This undeserved favor is called "grace."
Now, what must our response be?
WE MUST EACH PERSONALLY RESPOND TO GOD'S OFFER AND "CROSS OVER THE LINE OF FAITH" BY INVITING JESUS CHRIST TO BE THE FORGIVER AND LEADER OF OUR LIVES.
THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE... ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED
BY ADMITTING THAT YOU’RE A SINNER AND BY DESIRING TO TURN AWAY FROM SELF-CENTERED LIVING.
BELIEVE (TRUST IN JESUS AS THE SOLUTION TO YOUR NEED).
CHOOSE TO RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AND BEGIN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
We must place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone to be our Savior (the one who rescues us). This means giving up any notion that we are able to spiritually help ourselves in any way.
"Yet some people accepted Him and put their faith in Him. So He gave them the right to become children of God. They were not God’s children by nature or because of any human desires. God Himself was the One who made them His children." (John, chapter 1, verses 12, 13)
"God saved you by His special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." (Paul, in Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 8,9
We receive Jesus Christ by personally asking (inviting) Him to become our Forgiver and the Leader of our lives. It is not enough to agree intellectually that Jesus is God’s Son who died on the cross for our sin. It is not enough to have some emotional experience (and there may be no emotional experience). We receive Christ by faith. Other belief systems require that people "do." Faith in Christ is based on what He has already done. It is an invitation to receive His gracious gift, which we could never earn. Yes, it does mean that we make a decision– a decision to take a step and cross the line of faith. A decision to turn away from self and toward God. But even this is made possible because God, by the Holy Spirit, urges and helps you do so.
A prayer to receive Christ would contain these elements (in your own, heartfelt words):
• Admit to God that you are a sinner and can neither live life nor get into heaven on your own. Decide to turn away from a life of self-reliance.• Acknowledge in faith the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for you– to pay for your sins, and that He rose again and is alive now.
• Ask Him to be the Forgiver of your sins, and invite Him to become the Leader in your life. Tell Him you want to commit the rest of your life to Him with His help.
...IF THIS IS OUR HONEST RESPONSE, WE ARE PROMISED THAT:
• Jesus will come into our lives.
"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear Me calling and open the door, I will come in...." (Jesus, in Revelation, chapter 3, verse 20)
• We become God’s children.
"God Himself was the One who made them His children." (John, chapter 1, verses 12, 13)
• We are forgiven.
"God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who forgives our sins and sets us free." (Paul, in Colossians, chapter 1, verses 13, 14)
"...He can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away." (1 John, chapter 1, verse 9)
• We have life that never ends.
"God has also said that He gave us eternal life and that this life comes to us from His Son. And so, if we have God’s Son, we have this life. But if we don’t have the Son, we don’t have this life." (1 John, chapter 5, verses 11-13)
"Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through Him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf." (Hebrews, chapter 7, verse 25)
• We get to live the adventure of personally knowing God.
"Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know I belong to Him. (Paul, in Philippians, chapter 3, verse 8, 9a)
"God is the One who began this good work in you, and I am certain that He won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns." (Paul, in Philippians, chapter 1, verse 6)
• We experience what the Bible refers to as "new life" and God’s transforming power.
"Any person who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. God has done it all!" (2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 17, 18)
Remember:
• Receiving Christ is not simply a matter of saying the right words, or reciting some outline or following some routine. It may or may not be accompanied by a release of emotion– you cannot rely on feelings. It must be an authentic response of faith and trust to what He has already accomplished for you.
• It’s not about religion, it’s about life– a new way of living with Jesus Christ at the center, integral to everything you are. It’s about growing and changing; it’s about being an agent of change, a positive influence in your world; it’s about growing in your love for God and others.
• It’s not about what you can do. It’s about what He can do through you. Yes, there will always be decisions to make. But if you rely on God’s work in you and His Word, the Bible, it will be a matter of trusting, not trying. You will not be perfect in this life. You don’t have to change things in your own power. Just let God change your heart.
• Crossing the line of faith and inviting Jesus into your life is a one-time decision. But then comes a process as you follow Him, and learn to grow in faith and obedience. We all have a lot to learn and lots of room to grow. When you receive Christ, your life just begins, so don’t keep it to yourself. Get connected with people who can help you along.
Still have questions? No problem!
Perhaps you have decided to respond to Christ’s invitation and make Him your Forgiver and Leader. If so, it doesn’t stop here– this is only the beginning. Once you decide to invite Jesus Christ into your life, you begin a process of discovery in your new relationship with God. OR maybe you’re still not sure and you need some time to think more about it and clarify some questions you have.
Either way– whether you’re just starting your new life in Christ, or you’re still searching– a great place to begin is to start spending time with people who follow Christ. The Christian life cannot be lived in isolation– Christ-followers need one another to grow. And, if you ’re still searching, where better to direct your questions than Christ-followers? The best place to find Christ-followers is to find a church in your area. However, not all churches are the same. Here are some questions you may want to ask when evaluating which church might be the best one to check out:
1. How does the church (and the people who are part of it) treat the Bible? Do they recognize that the Bible came from God and treat it as such? Do they have strong, basic Christian beliefs (not a lot of man-made rules or an attitude that they are exclusively the way to God)?
2. What is their view of God? Is it that He is righteous and just, yet merciful and loving? Do they recognize Jesus as God’s perfect Son who died on the cross for our sins and rose to life again?
3. How do they treat each other? Do they care for one another? Are they people you can respect? Would you feel comfortable inviting your friends there? Are they accepting of people from differing backgrounds? Would you feel comfortable sharing your questions, your feelings, your hopes and fears with these people?
4. Does what they believe make a positive difference in their lives? (Keep in mind that none of us are perfect, but in general, do they live balanced, authentic lives of faith as if Jesus Christ is the most important Person to them? Do they demonstrate a vital relationship with, and a genuine love toward, God– as well as a desire to obey Him?)
5. Do they help and encourage each other to walk with God? Do they challenge people to move forward in their devotion to Him and to take the steps that will make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of others? Is there a place for you to get involved?
Finding a group of caring people who can help you on your spiritual journey is important, and well worth it. Feel free to come to one of our services and check out SBF (Salisbury Bible Fellowship) or contact us. We think you’ll be glad you came. You are welcomed no matter where you are on your spiritual journey.
Another thing that you’ll find very helpful is to get a Bible in a modern translation.
|