For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)
It’s hard to know where to start this “guide” to knowing Jesus. The world tells us that we need to earn approval and acceptance and value and worth. In other words, you are what you have and what you do and who you know. With Jesus you can start from the place of being seen and known and loved and accepted and approved—not because you’re good and wonderful, but because Jesus is uniquely good and wonderful. Wow! Try that one on for size sometime!
What about you? Are you tired of trying to earn love and approval from others? Would you like to know and experience the peace that passes understanding? Jesus’ invitation is always there: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NLT) Come to Jesus and live!
A life of faith in and with Jesus is like diving into the unknown and being lovingly held and supported all at the same time—a true life of adventure and rest. In a nutshell, here’s the Good News of Jesus Christ: We were all created for a deep and intimate relationship with a loving and caring God. Like our first father, Adam, we have wandered away from the safe and loving arms of God—through stubbornness, selfishness, unkindness, ungratefulness, and well…. you get the picture.
And like Adam, instead of turning back to God (and others) and saying, “I’m sorry”, we’ve hidden in an infinite variety of “anyplace except God’s loving arms” places. You might not like to call it “shame”, but that’s a name and burden we all carry. We get busy and carry on, always working to earn love and approval, when Jesus’ love and approval is always freely available. We’re separated from God by our own unwillingness to turn back to him and say a heartfelt, “I’m sorry.”
So what can you do? Turning to a loving and forgiving God may seem like the hardest thing you’ve ever done. It took all kinds of challenges and the threat of immanent and massive failure to bring me to the place of heartfelt sorrow for running amuck. I cried out to God for forgiveness for trying to run the show without knowing the plot line or how the characters might best interact or the sheer joy of following God’s loving direction. He met me and loved me and forgave me on the spot! And I’ve never looked back!
What about you? Have you ever faced your own dark side? Have you ever understood why Jesus bled and died? God’s only Son gave his life for you and me so that we could experience the full and joy-filled life that God intended from the beginning. So how do you start a life of faith? God tells us that saving faith is a gracious gift of God. So if you have trouble believing the Good News, why not ask God for his gracious gift of faith right now?
The simple truth is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a sinless and sacrificial life, died in agony on the cross, and rose again. And all that for you and me—so that we could receive forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal and abundant life. I don’t know if you believe this—or even want to believe it. All I can tell you is that my experience of life in Jesus is amazing and wonderful. Notice I didn’t say “easy”. No, I’ve had my fair share of challenges, disappointments, sadness, and grief. The wonderful thing about a life of faith with Jesus is that I’ve NEVER been alone in the midst all the highs and lows—and many “in-between”—places of life. And that’s Good News indeed!
You’ve read this far… Why not talk to God now? Jesus’ invitation is for here and now! “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Pour out your heart… don’t hold back. Tell him the good, the bad, and the ugly. Ask Jesus for whatever you need. And trust that he’s always near, always good, always strong, and often mysterious in the way he meets you and provides for you. May the Lord meet you and hold you and guide you in your journey of life and faith, now and always. Amen!
Here are a few resources as you explore a journey of life and faith in Jesus:
These books are written with non-Christians or spiritual seekers in mind—clear, respectful, and engaging (according to Chat GPT)
**Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis**
A modern classic. Lewis lays out the rational basis for Christianity, beginning with universal morality and leading to Christian belief. Still incredibly popular and readable.
**The Reason for God by Timothy Keller**
Tackles big objections to Christianity (like suffering, exclusivity, etc.) while presenting a compelling case for faith. Very respectful of skeptics.
**Simply Christian by N.T. Wright**
Sometimes called a modern-day Mere Christianity, it introduces the basic tenets of Christianity and why they resonate with human longing.
**Basic Christianity by John Stott**
A short, clear book on what it means to be a Christian and why the message of Jesus matters.
And a couple more Chat GPT forgot to mention 😊
***A Case for Faith* by Lee Strobel**
A journalist investigates the toughest objections to Christianity.
***What’s So Amazing About Grace?* by Philip Yancey**
In his most personal and provocative book ever, Yancey offers compelling, true portraits of grace's life-changing power.
***The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst For The Divine* by A.W. Tozer**
In The Pursuit of God, Tozer sheds light on the path to a closer walk with God.
And a final resource you might enjoy
The gospel is a personal invitation to bask in belovedness—to more deeply understand and enjoy the deep, deep love of God for you and me.
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