I believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Not only do I believe in Him, (even Satan believes in Jesus) I believe that He knows & loves me intimately and died on the cross for my sins and for yours. He took on every sin for every human (past, present, & future), became flesh & dwelt among us. I believe in Him, not because I am a generational Christian or because it's any easy "religion" filled with "cheap grace." No. I believe in Him because I guarantee that there is NO ONE like Jesus. He is the only One who came to this earth, lived a sinless life, dwelt among us, died for all of humanity, and rose again three days later to show how Great He is. He is the only "God" for which YOU have nothing to do with. What I mean by this is, I don't have to DO anything to receive Christ's love because He has already done it for me, He is the propitiation for my sin because He died on the cross at Calvary. The only thing I have to do is believe on Him and what He did for me.
I don't know about you, but I know myself pretty well. I know the many imperfections, the sin and the wretchedness that encompasses me. I know every thought or deed that I do that isn't exactly what you'd call "nice." I also know that there are people that are better than me, and people that are worse than me, that's just the way it is. But to think, only on my own behalf, that someone would die for ME. And I'm not talking, my husband dodging a bullet for me (which I know he would) I am talking Jesus dying not just for me, but for everyone! In my mind, and I think you'd probably agree - sure I'd die for my spouse, sure I'd die for my kids or my family (some people might not even go that far), but to die for a serial killer? A rapist? A druggie or alcoholic or child predator? For a theif, a homeless man, a liar, or even a jerk? Wait wait wait, that's a little close for comfort. But hey, its okay because Jesus did die for all of the above and He loves them all just the same as He loves me. That blows my mind.
"How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You."
-Psalm 139:17-18
Most importantly, no act of kindness or life of works will get me to heaven. This is even more mind boggling folks. Although I owe my LIFE to Christ, he only wants my heart, that's it. I don't have to move to Africa and start an orphanage, I can, but I don't have to. I just have to love Him with all that I am. It's only through God's grace that I get to be His daughter. Now, maintaining fellowship with God is obviously a plus for both sides; it keeps me closer to Him, and allows me to yield to His will and become more like Him (by reading His word and praying). For Him, the Lord loves when we spend time with Him. Again, He doesn't need ME or any of us, but He wants us. This is where the true transformation begins. So although I don't have to "do nice things" to get into heaven, I want to because I want to be more like Jesus! I do serve others not because I have to, but because I want to become more like the greatest Servant of all and because I find great joy in living humbly and meekly!
"No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed."
- John 3:13-20
That's what I believe, but not just "believe" but know it to be the absolute truth, and the only truth. Please, if this has tugged at your heart at all, ask me any question that you may have. The Lord might be using this silly little blog post to draw you to Himself. Wouldn't that be amazing. If you are already a believer then seek Him with all of your heart, soul, and mind and if you aren't walking tightly, pray and read and get in fellowship with a bible teaching & believing church! His mercies are new each morning and He wants to talk to you today - He is coming quickly folks. Nothing more needs to happen according to the prophecies in the Bible, He can come at any moment! I can't wait to be caught up in the clouds and I hope to see you there!
"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."
-1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
I pray this encourages you and stirs up your heart.
Blessings,
