How to Know God
Jesus is important to us because He is the very foundation of our salvation and the source of true life. The New Testament reminds us that through His death and resurrection, He broke the power of sin and reconciled us to God.
- How to Know God
"Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:1-4)
The Problem is Sin, We Have All Sinned
No matter how hard we strive, perfection is beyond our reach. None of us can be perfect in our thoughts, desires, or actions. Not all the time, not even part of the time. Why? Because everything we do, think, or feel is touched by our sin nature. We are human, and as scripture reminds us, "there is none righteous, no, not one." Each of us knows the weight of sin, moments we regret, words we wish we hadn’t spoken, thoughts we’d rather hide. Yet this is the reality of our brokenness and the evidence of the sin nature we all carry. We have sinned in thought, word, deed, and desire. But in the midst of this truth shines an even greater reality: God loves us. He loves you. He created you in His image, designed you for relationship with Himself, and calls you to draw near. His love does not falter, nor does it fade. He loved you yesterday, He loves you today, and He will love you forevermore. He knows your weakness, your frailty, and still He longs for fellowship with you.
God’s love is beyond our comprehension, and it is Gods will that all people would spend eternity with Him. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." In grace and mercy, He made a way for us to be with Him forever. It is His will that all people come to know Christ Jesus and receive the gift of eternal life. This gift is not earned by striving for perfection, nor by endless attempts to be good in our own strength. It is freely given, offered through Jesus at great cost to Him but none to us. As scripture declares, "For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God—not of works, lest any should boast." What a beautiful promise! God meets you where you are today. He extends His hand, offering the priceless gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. All He asks is that you believe, and by faith, receive Jesus as your Lord, Savior and Redeemer, and trust in the finished work He accomplished for you on the cross. He gave everything so that you might gain eternity—resting not in your works, but in His love and grace.
Bibliography
Scripture taken from the Modern King James Version of the Holy Bible Copyright © 1962 - 1998 By AJay P. Green, Sr.
MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible: New King James Version. Nashville: Word Bibles, 1997. Print.
ESV Study Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011. Print.
The Bethel series: a new format in adult biblical studies Harley A.Swiggum - The Foundation - 1961
Koehler, Edward W. A. A Summary of Christian Doctrine; a Popular Presentation of the Teachings of the Bible. St. Louis: Concordia, 1971. Print.