FAITH.
FAITH IN CHRIST: FIRST THINGS FIRST
Check it, my relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life and informs my view of everything in it. I didn’t always get down like that, but came to the realization in my early 20’s that, despite all kinds of worldly success, total fulfillment could not occur apart from a right relationship with God. I’ll skip the details of my “Transformation” for now, but want us to discuss the basics of faith. If you’re curious about God or seeking Him, here are the essentials to get right with Him:
• Acknowledge that your relationship with God is broken. If any of us is honest with ourselves, we know this is true. Our conscience and our heart of hearts sense that we do what we don’t want to do, and fail to do what we want to do. We fall short of what we yearn to be, and we are at odds with our Creator because of our sin. We all have a rebellious streak against God in us. The price for this broken relationship is separation from God, and, like De La Soul said, the “Stakes is High!” Life and death, yo.
• Believe that Jesus Christ has paid this price for you by sacrificing Himself on your behalf. God loved us so much that he gave up His only son to bring us back into His company. When on the Cross, Christ took on the weight and pain of all our transgressions against God, and was punished in our place for them.
• We can only accept the gift of this sacrifice and cannot earn God’s favor. I think of myself as somewhat of a perfectionist, but to compare my standards to God’s is ridiculous. God demands (and possesses) absolute perfection. There’s no way we can measure up. Even our best efforts are filthy in God’s eyes, but He sees perfection in us when Christ is put in our place. Everything from God, including our ability to have a relationship with Him, is a gift, and we can’t “earn” a gift. It’s our faith and belief in Christ’s worthy sacrifice, and not our efforts to please God, that get us right with Him.
If you recognize your need and can get with the above, ask Jesus to come into your heart and become your Savior. Your life will be changed forever. Tell somebody who loves God about your decision, study His word (the Bible, our instruction book!), and keep talking with Him through prayer.
One love in Jesus Christ. Your boy, MARK 10:27