This can be an extremely complex topic, but I am going to keep it very simple. Let's start with the first bible verse many of us learned in Sunday school when we were 4 years old. 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' John 3:16 Easy enough. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and you will have eternal life with Him. There is our gift. That's it. God loves us so much that he sacrificed his son for our sins and all we have to do it accept this precious gift. You don't have to do a million good works, you don't have to be perfect, you don't have to go to church every time the doors are open, you just have to walk with Him.
Walking with Him is something I learned long after I had accepted Christ. I knew right from wrong. I went to church all the time. I read my bible sometimes. I knew that if I died, I would spend eternity with Christ. What I didn't know, was how much God desired a relationship with me. Even though he knows how many hairs are on my head, the day I'm going to die and what my deepest thoughts are, He wants me to communicate with Him. To depend on Him for my every decision. To seek Him in everything I do and to learn more about Him. He desires to be married to me, not just to date me.
When I figured this out, my life didn't get easier. Walking with the Lord is definitely not easy in this fallen world. I did suddenly have a huge sense of joy and peace in my life. One of my girls favorite songs is 'I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.' The bible talks a lot about joy as well.
Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 19:8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.
Psalm 30:11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.
John 15:11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
When I am prayerful and persistent in my walk with the Lord, I have a peace and joy within me that is indescribable. It doesn't mean that I don't stumble and that I always make the best decisions. It does mean that He is there to guide me and He is there to pick me up when I fall. What else do I need when I have God on my side?
My relationship with Jesus Christ is the most wonderful blessing I could ever give thanks for. He knows my heart and He loves me still. If you don't have a personal relationship with Christ, you should. He will rock your world.
Love this post. I remember that I was "saved" and all. I read my bible, I went to church {heck, I worked there} and I still didn't have that Relationship until after I had my son. After what happened post delivery, God and I have a few talks. It was then that I made the commitment to grow in my relationship with Him. I have never been happier in all my life.
ReplyDeleteOnce again beautifully said! Thanks for sharing that!
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