EMMANUEL...WHY FOLLOWING CHRIST IS THE ANSWER FOR ALL OF US !

There is a message that is prevalent in our society today that proclaims the idea that all we need in our lives is simply what we want, and any belief that brings us happiness and self satisfaction. You can find that message in a variety of places. Religion, Philosophy, Meditation, Social Theory and many other areas as well. The message is to count on “Yourself”. Put together a list of things you can work on to improve who you are, and constantly strive to BE BETTER ! It sounds really special to work on self appreciation through self help. Religions will establish a path of steps to achieve, and if you do them you will be a better and more complete person. Sounds good on the surface, but what happens when the steps don’t come to fruition ? The god or gods you are trying to connect with are far away. The mystical “path” to perfection is not cooperating with your struggles. TRY HARDER ! DIG DEEPER ! Better yet, focus on yourself and your mind to “think more clearly”. Seek people who are smarter than yourself, because their way is the answer right ? Puzzling why every year more and more “self help and realization” books are written, because the ones already published just aren’t working. The freedom that is promised in focusing on oneself just seems to lead to an endless journey to new interests and new paths that actually lead to disappointment and right back to where you started. NO ANSWERS; NO PATH OR PURPOSE; and NO CONTENTMENT OR COMPLETION. Just another day to chase another possibility. What the world will tell you is that Every Religion has value and leads to a god or gods. Every self help idea will improve you. All new social dogma will improve society and culture and drag you along with them to a better place. DO YOU BELIEVE IT ? I DO NOT ! Well, what should we do ? Where should we start ? Funny thing,…..it all starts with the birth of a baby in a small town in a manger. HIS NAME IS JESUS ! JESUS is our WAY, our TRUTH, and our LIFE ! CHRISTIANITY IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE GOD CAME TO US. HE CAME AS A BABY TO DWELL AMONG US. HE LIVED AND WALKED AMONG US TO SHARE THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND TEACH US ABOUT THE ONE TRUE GOD. HE BROUGHT LOVE, PEACE, AND HOPE TO A LOST WORLD. ULTIMATELY HE GAVE HIS LIFE ON A CROSS FOR US THAT “WE MIGHT BE FORGIVEN OF OUR SINS”, AND BE REBORN INTO A NEW RELATIONSHIP AND ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM AS OUR LORD, SAVIOR AND KING !.The amazing thing is that “WE” only have to believe in Him and accept His Gift. Believe that He died for our sin and become His and follow Him. WE don’t have any things we can do to save ourselves, but if we follow His commands and words, we will find an intimate relationship with Him and become sanctified in Righteousness and Holiness….not in what We Do, but only through His Sacrifice and Love for us ! And Jesus said “ ALL YOU NEED IS ME !”

AND WE HAVE SEEN AND TESTIFY THAT THE FATHER HAS SENT HIS SON TO BE THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. 1 John 4:14

HE IS THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS, AND NOT FOR OURS ONLY BUT ALSO FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD. 1 John 2:2

IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS , HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. 1 John 1:9

FOR THEE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED, BRINGING SALVATION FOR ALL PEOPLE. Titus 2:11

I have come to the realization over time that many people have developed a cynical and negative view of Christianity in many circles. I have heard a multitude of reasons. Christians are hypocrites. They preach living a certain way, but they don’t actually do it. They are elitist. They feel their way is the only way. They are not really supportive of all the ideas of “Coexisting” and “Love Everyone” that they often speak about. Their Faith is shallow. Just look at the multitude of “denominations” that have their own dogma, and continually adjust to meet cultural and societal norms. So, Christians, how should we look at this ? I have a few thoughts :) Fundamentally the term “Christian” was used during the time of Jesus to define “those who followed Him and His teachings. Over time mankind has taken Jesus and created “churches” and “denominations” that define and shape certain rules, understanding, and liturgical practices that evoke meaning and completeness for the people that are members of those select communities. As true followers of Christ, we know in scripture that we are a broken creation, dead in our sin even as we are born, and none are perfect except Jesus Himself. In our state of life without Salvation, we are Not In Relationship with God, and we will be judged as wicked and unrighteous; sentenced to an existence apart from God, Eternally ! A Harsh But True Reality As Defined By God’s Very Word. Unlike other Religions, there is no effort of our own that can help us or change this harsh reality. No Behavior modification; no steps or new path; nothing to make us acceptable…..except,….GIVING OUR LIFE TO JESUS ! HE ALONE IS OUR SALVATION. It is at the point of Salvation that as followers we receive God’s Holy Spirit that guides and allows us to Abide and Grow in Jesus and our relationship with Him. His WAY and His TRUTH give us LIFE :) WE surrender our old lives and become a New Life in Him. IT IS FREEDOM AND PEACE LIKE NO OTHER PATH ! I find my Identity and my Purpose in His Kingdom….Eternally :) Do you wonder why so much of the world and religions hate Jesus ? It is so simple….because they have to believe in Him, give up their self reliance and self importance, and TRUST HE LOVES THEM UNCONDITIONALLY ! SUBMIT TO HIS WILL, NOT THEIR OWN. So, as a “Follower” of Jesus, I am saved; I am a new creation in HIM; I have a complete path and plan for my life that He laid out; and my only way to perfection and relationship with God is In and Through HIM ! ALL I NEED IS HIM…AND ALSO YOU !

FOR FREEDOM CHRIST HAS SET US FREE; STAND FIRM THEREFORE, AND DO NOT SUBMIT AGAIN TO A YOKE OF SLAVERY. Galatians 5:1

FOR YOU WERE CALLED TO FREEDOM, BROTHERS. ONLY DO NOT USE YOUR FREEDOM AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLESH, BUT THROUGH LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER. Galatians 5:13

THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE HAS SET YOU FREE IN CHRIST JESUS FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH. FOR GOD HAS DONE WHAT THE LAW, WEAKENED BY THE FLESH COULD NOT DO. BY SENDING HIS OWN SON IN THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH AND FOR SIN, HE CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH, IN ORDER THAT THE RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENT OF THE LAW MIGHT BE FULFILLED IN US, WHO WALK NOT ACCORDING TO THE FLESH BUT ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT. Romans 8:1-4

The price of our Salvation was SO EXTREME for our God. HIS SON…..to suffer and die on a cross. HIS BLOOD SHED in place of our own. BECAUSE GOD LOVES US SO MUCH, and on our own we have no hope or path or “self help” to become HIS ONCE AND FOR ALL. No other religion or man made process or thought will ever obtain Salvation and Hope. Peace and Joy. Living in a world of laws and commandments without the Grace and Freedom of Christ will never complete you. I am ever thankful that Jesus came to “Be Among Us”, and that in all my failures, stupidity, and struggles, JESUS IS RIGHT BESIDE ME ! MY SAVIOR. MY LORD. MY KING ! As this year passes into the next, my hope is to become closer and closer to Him and strive to serve His Kingdom and His People in an ever more meaningful way ! May you also share the same :). TRUST YOUR LIFE TO HIM/JAA

FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH. AND THIS IS NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD. Ephesians 2:8