I did not know about Jesus, what He had done for me, or really other than a “Children’s Bible” given to me as a kid, know anything about the Bible other than the story of Adam and Eve (kid version). I was not raised in the church, growing up in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood with parents who did not go to church or press us into any form of religion. (I really dislike using that word, as religion is “man made” traditions or as an example of “religion” see below Mark 7:3-9):
(For the Pharisees and all the other Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thereby holding firmly to the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they completely cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received as traditions to firmly hold, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, and copper pots.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk in accordance with the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unholy hands?” But He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. An d in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the traditions of men.” He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your traditions.”
Isaiah 29:13 and 14 speak of this as well:
“And the Lord said:
“Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again
do wonderful things with this people with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” “
It wasn’t until someone reached out to me, in concern and in love of the Lord and shared with me the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Shared with me in a personal and loving way John 3:16:
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
God is not this foreboding “religious” shaking His finger in displeasure at you, kind of God. YES God is Holy, YES God cannot abide sin, BUT the Father wants you to know that He is a LOVING GOD. He left the glories of Heaven to come down and meet us RIGHT HERE where we are at! In the form of Man, JESUS. He was born of the virgin Mary, walked amongst us living a sin-less life, died on the cross for forgiveness of OUR sins, rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven, sending Holy Spirit to guide and instruct us! And EVEN NOW Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding and waring on OUR behalf! I don’t think it gets ANY MORE personal than that! And all He asks is that we accept the gift He has given us – by acknowledging Jesus the Christ as Savior. Repenting (turning away) from our sins by asking forgiveness. Forgiveness that was purchased by the blood of Jesus. That we turn our lives over to Him as indicated in Galatians 2:20:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
God has given us a most precious gift, salvation and it can ONLY be found in Jesus. It isn’t until we turn our hearts to Him and accept His gift of salvation that we come into the realization of how VERY much the Father loves us! We were created with the ability to choose, because God didn’t want to create humans with the inability to choose to love Him. (Now isn’t THAT a loving Creator?) How it must break His heart to see those who determine to live a life without accepting the redemptive gift that cost Him so much to bestow upon us… I don’t think He can get ANY more personal than that! But God is merciful, God is graceful, God is loving. God is patient. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us:
“The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Jesus even told Nicodemus, (a religious) Pharisee this in John 3:1-21:
“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Father God gives us a choice up until our very last breath – to accept His gift of love, in Jesus or to reject it. To reject it in this life is to reject Him for all eternity – He gives us what we choose. I present this to you, as Ms. Sarah Small at the University of Massachusetts’ Campus Crusade for Christ presented it to me. Personally, with compassion and concern and love. She shared God’s gift with me by asking me if I wanted to receive Jesus into my heart as Savior, and make Him Lord over my life. I thought to myself, “God, if You are REAL as Sarah has said, I NEED You to make Yourself REAL to me. Not because of someone else’s experience with You. But for You to show me You are Real, that Your Word IS true and that This God that she has just shared with me, IS real.” And beloved reader, that was 35 years ago. I can attest – PERSONALLY that God IS real. And if where I was is where you are now, I pray that you will challenge God to do the same. He’s not offended by your challenge – He welcomes it! His desire IS for you to receive the gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus the Christ. If that is you, please pray the prayer (or one like it below) – that’s ALL it takes!
“Father God, thank You for bringing me to this post. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus to die on the cross for forgiveness of my sins. Please forgive me. Today I choose to find out for myself IF you are real, as Kelly did. I turn from my sins and choose on my own free will to accept Jesus as Savior. To make Jesus Lord over my life. Jesus, thank You for your sacrifice. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
That’s ALL it takes to become part of God’s Called Remnant! A prayer like that above meant from your heart! Now watch and see what the Father does! If you have prayed that prayer, you have made the MOST important decision you will EVER make! And I promise you (from one that knows), God IS personal. He WILL reveal Himself to you! You are His precious child, You belong to Him! \0/ \0/ \0/
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