Good relationships are so crucial to our human condition that it may seem incredible that anything else could be more important. The epic good news of the Bible is that we humans have a sense of the eternal in our hearts,1 that there is something even more important that our human relationships, that is to truly know God and His Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus said there would be many people who claimed to know Him, but in fact were not genuine. When we hear of abuse in the church we become all too aware that there are some wolves in sheep’s clothing out there. Do not let those who do not truly represent God, put you off your search for Him.
The true and living God of the Bible is not disappointing to come to know. In fact, it is life-changing to come to know Him.
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For those who are unsure if they know God in their hearts
First, be encouraged by Jesus’ words:2
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
What does this mean?
The Bible teaches all people have done wrong and fall short of God’s requirements for right living3. It also teaches all people will face judgment for all their actions on the Day of Judgment.
This is the day when all things will be put right including wrongs done against us, because God is just.
The difficulty we face is that our wrong-doing has separated us from the God who gives life, (the story of Adam and Eve shows people choosing their own way through life, rejecting God’s way this is called ‘sin’. Sin is the wrong direction a person takes in life (one’s own way not God’s way). As God is a just God sin has a penalty; sin leads to death and to being cast away from God’s presence.
What can we do?
Christians believe that God sent His only Son so we might not die (at the Judgment) but have eternal life4 (a quality and quantity of life that starts now).
Jesus’ message was ‘repent and believe the good news’
Repent means, change your mind and life direction,
We need to say sorry and confess our wrong direction (our sin) to God. This means we ask that our sin and wrongdoing be forgiven by God, through the blood of Jesus that was shed for our sakes. We thank God that the penalty for our sins has been paid by His Son, Jesus Christ, so that we might be made right before God.
Believe the good news:
When we repent and make a life commitment to follow God, God gives us two amazing gifts:
- We can now ask that God sends his promised gift into our hearts, His very presence, (the Holy Spirit). Remember the scripture – I stand at the door and knock – if anyone opens the door, I will come in and eat with them (meaning Gods’ presence come into the person’s life) – The door is the door to your heart. Open it to the Lord in this commitment and prayer – it’s life changing!
2. God gives us the gift of eternal life, so that on the day of judgement we will be welcomed into His eternal kingdom. Eternal life is also a quality of life that starts now and continues in the life to come.
To experience God’s forgiveness and receiving His loving presence in our hearts is like fresh air to the soul.
It is peace.
If you have taken this step today, or if you would like to ask more questions, then I would recommend finding a local church that runs an Alpha course (or other introduction to Christian faith course).
The Alpha Course is a much fuller introduction to Christian faith, hosted by a local church. The Alpha course will also help you to meet other people asking similar questions of faith, over a series of meals hosted by the local church.
Footnotes: see copyright page (all Scriptures taken from NIV UK)
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