I remember first time somebody told me about Jesus and salvation. I thought my friend was really 'religious'. Just because I had never heard before anybody talking about Jesus so much I thought the person must have been super 'religious'.
I also recall her explanation to me about the difference between trusting in God and religion. At that time I had no clue what she was talking about as it seemed that both topics were pointing to one. Before I really got to know Jesus, believing in God seemed a religion.What made the difference is when I finally put my trust in Him and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.
He just answered my prayer after I cast all my burden upon Him saying that I didn't have peace in my heart and I wanted to be sure I was saved and that I was following His call. Then the peace came into my heart about which I also read in the Bible;
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. It is not as the world gives that I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid.”
John 14;27
I realized Jesus was true and living.
Then I knew what my friend was talking about. There is a big difference between knowing the true God and religion. Religion is only holing on to man -made regulations or holding on to different man made -rituals, doing different things to impress an unknown God, aiming to your salvation on your own. Religion is for those who want to be religious but Jesus offers life! No rituals to hold on to.Salvation is free.
You are not saved by offering any animal sacrifice to God, you are not saved by fasting or reading the Bible constantly, you are not saved by going to the church or because your parents baptized you as an infant and put a name " Christian" in your documents so you belong somewhere. Jesus doesn't call us to a new 'religion' but to life. He never mentioned a word 'religion' about trusting in Him.
You would say everybody has life so what is the difference? What did Jesus mean by life?
What we think about life -is what relates to out earthly temporary existence. Life in which God has no authority over us. " Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we might die." Death will destroy everything, it is the end. So let's have as much fun now as possible before that end comes. That is how many understand 'life"
"But if there is nothing more to life than that, no meaning, no purpose, no knowledge of God, no Christ, how pathetic life becomes." somebody already said.
We are more than just the bodies, we are also souls Surely life is more than food!
There are many religions but only one person through whom we are saved- Jesus Christ. Only one man who died and rose again- Jesus. Only one person with the given authority over death and life- Jesus. Only one person that can give you peace and meaning in your life- Jesus. Only one person who demonstrated power over the rules of the nature- Jesus.
People throughout the centuries weren't dying for a lie.They weren't dying for an uncertain fact. They were dying for their faith, that they couldn't deny as they experienced real presence of Jesus in their lives. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
And The Life was revealed and we perceived and we testify and we proclaim to you the Life Eternal, that which was with The Father and was revealed to us."
1John 1-2
If Christ didn't rose from the dead, if nobody experienced any changing power that gives hope and new life - Christianity would be built on a lie.
If there had been no resurrection, the Christian church would never have come into being.There would be no meaning to life whatsoever. Even the Bible says;
"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." 1 Corinthians15;19
There is a true hope beyond the earthly life.First of all there is no fear. Death is no longer the end and time is no longer the enemy. When you know Christ you know life is forever. The purpose of it Jesus stated in His prayer;
"And this is life eternal, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." John 17;3
Life is yours for taking. You take it by faith in the living Christ. You can't believe in a dead Christ. Only the living Lord can save you. Eternal life - "now and forever." It is offered freely, but how many of us take it seriously?
We care about things like our house to be paid off in 20- 30 years,about our life insurance, but what about eternal insurance in Jesus? We think about our little kids going to college in 20 years, but what about us in 40, 50, 60, 70 years from now? At some point we will face God and eternity. For some it will come sooner, for some later. Eternity either with God, or apart from God in a darkness..
Life without Christ is actually very scary! Very uncertain. You want to hold on to it as much as possible, preserve it with all possible means but no matter how much you try, you won't be able to keep it forever. There is a story in the Bible.
Jesus talked to people who came to Him complaining about ' innocent' people killed in an accident;
"Those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no!
But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13;4-5
Without a Savior the future is very uncertain, life very fragile.
Forgiveness and life is offered now. Don't wait, don't put it off before it is too late.
No teacher has ever said anything like that " All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth". Have we ever thought about that?
What does it really mean? All power is His as He is the risen Lord. Because He is the risen Lord, He is the Savior of the world. He said " I am the resurrection and the life"
Do we forget why we celebrate Easter? Put the eggs, and the bunnies aside, it is celebrating victory over death! He is risen, He is alive! Death could not hold Him. He is victor. He is the resurrection. He is triumphant over death.
" I am alive forevermore...and have the keys of hell and death." Revelation 1;18
Remember the knowledge about Jesus doesn't save you. You might know all details about His life and still be missing the life He is offering. Christ is life and gives life to those who take it, but we must want it. We must mean it. This is no gift for which you say ' thank you' and put it away in a closet. Salvation was purchased for you by a very high price, it cost God's Son to shed His blood.
Jesus comes to us when we really mean it. Then we can experience a new transformed life, full of hope with the living Lord.
Then we can say; He is REAL!
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