Will Bring the Colour, You live the Life ... - Being a Relationship with God

Deep down inside, you and I both know that we struggle. We do not feel fullfilled. We feel as though there is something more to this life. It may be less obvious for some but the anxiety is still there.

We also struggle with wrong thoughts and wrong acts. Since our infancy, we've acted selfishly. We know that even as little children, we lie to get things we want, we grab our toys away from the other children, and we throw a fit when we don't get what we want. As we grow older, we may learn to control the outward appearance but the thoughts and the emotions are still there.

The Bible describes some of our condition in passages like Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"

As it turns out, we have had this condition since conception. If we are bold enough to admit it, we are more broken and screwed up than we could ever imagine. Not only have we been credited with Adam's sin (Romans 5:12-19), but we are also responsible for our own sins. Our very nature, in its original state, not only will choose not to obey the Gospel, it cannot (Romans 8:5-8).

The punishment for sin, even a small sin, is death. Not just a physical death (which is also the result of sin) but also a spiritual death. When you and I get to the end of our lives, the road doesn't end there. We are either raised to life in Heaven or we're sent away to Hell to receive the just punishment for our sins.

So why can't God just let all people go to heaven? I heard a man by the name of Tony Evans explain it this way. God wants you to go to Heaven. He wants you to enter into an absolutely perfect place. But if you come in to Heaven with all your baggage and all your problems, than you're going to mess it up. Immediately, Heaven becomes imperfect. It simply can't happen. Its not because God is being mean, its just contradictory. Heaven would cease to be heaven as soon as imperfection was allowed to come in. This is not the whole reason, but the Bible does make it clear that Heaven is a place absent of sin.

As you know, there are many religions and methods that people take to try and reach God or to make themselves feel right. The Bible says that "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12). Matthew 7:13-14 points out correctly that "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” This explains a lot about why so many people try so many different things to fix the problems and insecurity in their lives. They cry out to other gods and to other things, but it truly is all in vain. Some may wonder why God does not choose to save these seemingly "good people" anyway since they are obviously trying hard. Isaiah 59:2 explains this saying "your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."

If these words are sinking in, I realize that your anxiety may be building. But don't despair. The Bible tells us that God has made a way. Jesus himself declared “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” So Jesus is that narrow gate! And he loves us more than we can ever imagine. John 10:10 quotes Jesus as saying "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Before the creation of the world, God decided to send his only son to live a perfect life and to die a death on a cross. Most people have heard of the verse in John 3:16 that says "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." That is what this verse means! Jesus Christ, who is truly God in the form of man, became a substitute for us on the cross. He paid the penalty for the sins of everyone that places their trust in Him. If you or I place our faith in Jesus Christ as the only means for salvation, then our sins are laid upon Him on that cross and he takes away our punishment.

But the story did not stop there. Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sins but he rose again from the dead and ascended into Heaven. This made a way for us if we place our trust in Him.

Today, you may sense that God is speaking to your heart. You realize you are a sinner and need Jesus in your life. If that is you, simply close your eyes and ask Jesus to forgive you and to come into your life. There is no cost to receiving Jesus as your savior. It is a free gift given by His grace. You do not have to earn it because you can not earn it.

Now that you are a new creature in Christ, you will still have problems with sin because your old nature is still there. You are not free from sin, but you are now free to struggle with your sin. However, you can be encouraged that your sins are paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus. Past, present and future sins will not separate you from the love of Jesus Christ.

Now, if you prayed that prayer, God is going to begin to change you. Philippians 1:6 says that "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it." In other words, all those who, by God's strength and initiative, have trusted Christ will persevere to the end. So if God has embraced you, He'll never let you go. No matter how many bad things you do, if you truly know Jesus, your salvation is secure.

Please let us know if you prayed that prayer to accept Christ. We'd love to send you a Bible and some information to get you started in your walk with Jesus. Simply email me at aselaja@gmail.com