As a Christian, I have had the opportunity to see a lot of amazing things. Things that non-believers may never understand. One of the most amazing of all is the "love" of God that is so different than the love of the world. Love of the world is very "me" focused. It changes from week to week, month to month, year to year. If you love someone with a worldly love, you can get tired of them, disappointed, irritated...and stop loving them. God's love (or real love) does none of these things. You can start in Mathew in the New Testament and see account after account of how Jesus said to love people. In Mathew 5:44, he says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." In Mathew 22:37 he says to, "honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." Then in Mark chapter 12, Jesus tells the crowd that the two most important Commandments are to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength and to Love your neighbor as yourself. He then goes on to say that these two things are more important than burnt offerings and sacrifices (works and deeds).
It is really sad that our world has turned away from this kind of love. We don't want to take responsibility for our own actions or admit that we make mistakes, so we blame those we say we love or someone else outside ourselves. We refuse to admit that we have done wrong. Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." If we look inside ourselves, we will see countless times in our lives where we have said cruel things, been dishonest, rude, uninterested, or harsh; mislead, turned our backs on, or thought horrible things about someone. The list goes on. None of us are guiltless.
So, should that be it? Well...lets look at it. What happens when you are rude or dishonest to someone? How does that make them feel? Or better yet, how does it make you feel when someone does that to you? We don't want others to treat us that way, yet we justify ourselves when we do it to others. The Bible calls all of these things sin...along with greed, lust, glutony, hate, murder, hypocrisy, etc. In John 8:34 Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." Also, in the first part of Romans 6:23 Jesus says that "the wages of sin is death." If you don't believe me, look around. We have seen an increasing "death" in marriage over the past century. We have seen our children killing each other on the streets due to pride and jealousy. Diseases that would not touch us if we were faithful to one person have taken over our world because of lust and envy. Whole groups of people are killed because of hate and greed. Still other groups rotting and dying from drug overdoses, alcoholism, obesity, etc all so they can escape the reality of their lives. So...would you say the Bible is correct in that area? When you really look at it, does it not make sense? Haven't all these people paid with their lives?
Luckily, God doesn't leave us hanging because he knew from the beginning that we couldn't do it on our own. That if we were left to our own devices (and a lot still are), that we would die. So, He sent us his son. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. So basically God says to us, I know that you are human and that you can't help but do wrong. I know that if I did nothing you would be guilty and have to die. So, because I love you, I will give you a way to be justified. I will send my son to earth who is guiltless to die for you. He will pay the price for your sins. We see in our society that blood equals life. If someone looses too much, they die. You can donate blood to save someone's life. So, Jesus (who had perfect blood) died to save the world. Earlier, I quoted the beginning of Romans 6:23. Luckily it ends with "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Also, I said before, John 8:34 said, "everyone who sins is a slave to sin." But if you read on to 35 Jesus follows up with, "Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
I can tell you from experience that this freedom in Christ is amazing and transforming and it's as simple as this: In Romans 10 it says, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
So I guess the question is: Do you want this kind of love for yourself? Do you want to be able to share this kind of love with others? When you pray to God for salvation you become a new creation because he washes away all of your sins. He forgives and forgets everything. If you believe that He can do this, all you have to do is pray to Him. Tell him that you know that you are a sinner, but that you believe that Jesus, who was perfect died for you and rose again on the third day. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart and be the Lord of your life. Then thank Him for saving you.
The next step is to start getting to know Him. Just like any relationship, you have to talk and listen in order to build a strong and lasting bond. So pray often. If you are uncomfortable praying around others, pray in a quiet solitary place or in your head (God can hear you). Read the Bible. Not only is it God's love story to us, but it is the way he communicates with us. If someone tells you that God told them something that doesn't line up with what is in the Bible, it's not true. Find a good church. Talking and listening with others believers is a great way to help understand what the Bible is saying, to see how God is working in others, and to share how God is working in you. Along this journey, you should also think about getting baptized. This is an outward sign of the inward change that has happened in your life. It is also a great way to show obedience to God.
Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Next, please feel free to ask questions. The Bible says to seek wisdom, so always be willing to look for ways to learn and grow. Welcome to the family!
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