Following Jesus

The Bible makes it very clear that Jesus Christ and God are two distinct individuals that are, in fact, one and the same.  God the Father watches over us all and is able to be everywhere all at once.  Jesus is an extension of God who lived as a man on earth for about 33 years.  Jesus demonstrated his direct connection to God through the countless miracles he performed during his ministry on earth.  Finally, Jesus was crucified and resurrected as the ultimate example of his connection to God; thereby supplying all of us with a way to connect with God as well.  When we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God takes up residence in our heart guiding us toward eternity with Jesus.

Knowing God

Before Jesus arrived, people struggled to know God through prayer, sacrificial worship, and trying to obey all of God’s commands.  This was a never-ending cycle of trying and failing, because humans are simply not equipped with the ability to live up to the righteousness of God.  Only God is perfect.  We can never be perfect; however, God provided us with salvation through Jesus so that we might be considered perfect when we place our faith in him.  We come to know God when we follow the teachings of Jesus.  We become a member of the family of God when we follow the teachings of Jesus.  We achieve righteousness and eternal life when we follow the teachings of Jesus.

Love God – Love Your Neighbor

All of the commandments of God are valid and important to study and understand; however, not all of those commandments apply to our lives today.  Jesus established a new way to achieve the righteousness that God demands.  Jesus came to make what was extremely difficult very simple.  Jesus teaches that our primary concern in this life is to love God and love our neighbor.  If we truly adhere to that instruction with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, we will always find favor with God.  There is no long list of rules and regulations we need to remember.  Everything that pleases God is accomplished with love.  Jesus also teaches that when you stumble along the way, God is ready to forgive you as long as you seek him with all of your heart.

Salvation

There are no ritualistic steps that need to be accomplished in order to become a follower of Jesus.  Anyone can become a Christian – a follower of Jesus Christ – at any time and in any place.  You can commit your life to Christ at home, out in the wilderness, in prison, at church, or driving down the freeway in your car.  The decision to follow Jesus is not a process of the mind – it is a process of the heart.  There are no classes you need to attend in order to open your heart to Jesus.  All you need to do is ask Jesus to become your Lord and Savior in a sincere prayer.  Sincerely seek to move closer to God – to love God – and to love your neighbor with all your heart, mind, and soul.  If you are truly sincere in your prayer, you will become a child of God and be joined by the Holy Spirit guiding you toward your new life with Jesus.  Praise God for sending His Son!  Praise God for providing us with a way to be with Him forever.  Amen.

My Yoke is Light Scripture