I've always known God is real.
I've always believed that Jesus is the son of God.
I've always said that I am a Christian.
BUT...
I can't recall a time in my life where I haven't believed that God existed, and that He wanted a relationship with me. I've never really questioned God's love for His creation, including myself. Not because I think I'm deserving of God's love, but because I believe that what the Bible says is true, that 'God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' (Romans 5:8) I read the New Testament and see the way Jesus treated everyone He met with love, even if at times it was tough love.
I can't find a fault in any of it, and yet I've felt the tug of the world so strongly that I started to believe the way of the world was better than God's plan for His creation.
I knew God was real, I knew Jesus died for me, but I wasn't sure I wanted to live according to the way of God outlined in his Word. I saw the lives of those around me and thought they looked good, arguably better than mine, and yet I knew they were lacking something that I had found, Jesus.
I was ready to actively walk away from God, not because of a lack of faith, or feeling unloved, but because I had lost sight of who God is, why life with Him and for Him was best. That He desired an existence for us that see's us fulfil our potential. A way that gives us true and everlasting freedom.
'So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.'
- John 8:36
Far too often the Christian faith is understood as a boring religion that requires people to follow a list of rules that make you 'good' enough to go to heaven. Whilst I understand that the Bible can seem like a rule book, this doesn't do it justice by any means. And thankfully being 'good' isn't what its about.
'Jesus told him,“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.' - John 14:6
'For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.' - John 3:16
As these verses tell us, Jesus is the only way to God the father, and eternal life comes only through believing in Jesus. It's about a relationship of love between a loving Father who wants the absolute best for us. Following him and being obedient to him in all he asks of us helps protect us and care for those around us.
From start to finish the Bible lays out God's redemption plan to bring us back to his perfect design. The Old Testament lays the foundations for the arrival of the Messiah, and the New Testament is filled with the beautiful ways of Jesus, who is that Messiah.
When I read the Bible I see a God of grace, of forgiveness. A God who loved me enough to die for me. A book full of God's constant faithfulness to us, despite our rejection of him. The stories of sinful and broken people who's faith was used by God for things they could have never predicted. (Have a read of Hebrews 11 and see how God used peoples faith.)
I follow the way of Jesus because He still chose to submit to God the father, by going to the cross, even after pleading with him for another way in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46).
I choose His way, because He is worthy.
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
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