People seek God for a variety of reasons. Some think
their search will lead to a more fulfilling life or a greater sense of purpose.
Others are looking for relief from their pain. Still others are curious and just
want to find out what's true.
What's your reason? You should be aware of your
aspirations and motivations, because you may be looking for the wrong thing.
For example, perhaps you're a seeker because you want to
find greater happiness. What if you do find God, but your life circumstances
lead to less happiness? Will you feel cheated? Believers often report that God
gives them greater joy, meaning, and purpose in life. But nearly every believer
will also admit to experiencing periods of difficulty.
So this is a good question to ask yourself: What am I
looking for? And, conversely, What does God offer me?
As you read God's book, the Bible, you'll discover how
much He's already given. But He may not give you exactly what you've
anticipated. So expect the unexpected, and make it your goal to find God, no
matter what the outcome or perks. The bottom line is that a true seeker seeks
the Giver of life, not just His gifts.
Two people who have fallen deeply in love don't go into
marriage with the intention of ignoring each other's wishes after the wedding
ceremony. Such a commitment involves adjusting personal priorities in the
interest of building the relationship. When they establish their residence, for
example, a couple will usually discuss at length the furnishings, wall hangings,
and other touches that will make their house (or apartment) a home. In the same
way, it would be absurd for a seeker to open up to God but give no thought to
the possibility that God may want to rearrange a few pieces of furniture when He
moves in.
Of course, some people are fearful that God wants to throw out
all the furniture and condemn their house as uninhabitable. But nothing could be
further from the truth! God created us to be in relationship with Him and with
each other. Through the Bible, God tells us that He wants us to enjoy this life
in a way that's in line with His purpose for us.
But the question
remains: Do you realize that God wants to be a powerful presence in your life,
not just an idea in your head?
Many seekers declare intellectual reasons
for dismissing the claims of the Bible, but in truth, they are not willing to
give up some activity they know is offensive to God. If that's you, you need to
know that God will take you as you are, but He doesn't want to leave you as you
are. He wants you to let Him make you into what He wants you to be.
spiritual seeker may think the proper order of inquiry is to first decide if
there is a God (a philosophical question) and then figure out who Jesus is (a
historical question). But another and possibly even more exciting way would be
the reverse order.
Many seekers discover that when they deal with the person of Jesus, they find
answers to many of their other questions at the same time.
Is there a God?
Yes, and He came to earth in human form in the person of Jesus Christ. The
Bible says in John chapter 16, verse 28, "I came from the Father and entered the
world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
Does God love me? Yes! Look at what He did to show that
love: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not
send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through
Him" (John chapter 3, verses 16, 17).
What religion is the right one? Reconsider that question
in the light of the fact that God wants a relationship with you, not your
religious affiliation. "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus...There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you
are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians chapter 3, verses 26-28).
What do I have to do to live forever? Accept Jesus as
your forgiver and your God. See John chapter 6, verse 40: "For my Father's will
is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal
life, and I will raise Him up at the last day."
How can I experience meaning and purpose in life? By
following Jesus and by cultivating your relationships with God and with other
people. Matthew chapter 22, verses 37-40 says: "Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and
greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
According to the Bible, until a seeker comes to terms with Jesus, he or she
hasn't dealt with the issue that's most important in starting a relationship
with God.
Consider this reality: Jesus is the most influential person in history. A
poor itinerant preacher, the son of a carpenter but also the Son of God, changed
the entire course of world history.
How can any serious spiritual search overlook Him? For example, today's date
is based on a reckoning that hinges on Jesus' life. Because of Him, people were
moved to split world history into two eras "before Him" and "afterHim" (B.C. and
A.D.).
It's not enough to intellectually agree with Jesus' claims. If
you read the Bible and recognize Jesus as the true Son of God, a man who walked
the earth, lived a perfect life, died, and rose again from the dead, you must
choose to cross the line of faith and receive Him. This is a once-for-all
decision. A "process" follows, but you have to start by inviting Him into your
life and accepting that He paid the debt you owe for your sin but could never
pay yourself.
Salvation in Jesus is a totally free gift, and receiving it is
as easy as saying, "Jesus, I acknowledge my sin and Your payment for it on the
cross. I now ask You to be my forgiver and my God." But you must respond
personally and deliberately, or the gift will remain unopened and
unenjoyed.
Keeping in mind the previous questions, here are some practical ideas to
guide you in your spiritual search:
Ask God to reveal Himself if you're not sure He's there. Read the
Bible - start with the New Testament books of John, Acts, and Romans.
Talk to people who display a genuine relationship with God, those who
obviously love Him and who live by a different set of principles.
Spend time in nature, observing and experiencing God's creation.
Question things everybody seems to take for granted, be a lover of truth.
Ask God-followers why they believe what they believe and how they know their
beliefs are true.
Recognize that following God must make sense: truth may go beyond reason, but
not against it.
Scour the shelves at a Christian bookstore or church library for credible
authors, or ask your Christian friends for a list of authors who have inspired
them in their walk with God.
Write down your questions, especially about what you read in the Bible, and
take them to a knowledgeable Christian who respects your seeking process.
Know your presuppositions - the things you already believe - and
try not to let them interfere with your quest for the truth.
Stay open to actually finding what you're looking for: fear of commitment and
change can keep you from finding the truth.
Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings during your search.
Know your personal issues: your past will profoundly influence your present
ability to be objective. Remember that you don't have to know everything to
know something.
Determine to seek for a specific period of time, and continually evaluate
your progress. Then try to reach an appropriate conclusion.
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life eternal.
The Bible says...
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1 (NIV)
"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." John 3:16
(NIV)
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly." John 10:10 (NIV)
Why don't most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for
us to have?
Step 2: The Problem: Our Separation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us
as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom
of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make
this choice today. This results in separation from God
The Bible says...
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
(NIV)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (NIV)
Our Attempts to Reach God
People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God
...
The Bible says...
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden
his face from you, so that he will not hear."
No bridge reaches God ... except one.
Step 3: God's Bridge: The Cross
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty
for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.
The Bible says...
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus
Christ." 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to
bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (NIV)
God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
Step 4: Our Response: Receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal
invitation.
The Bible says ...
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens
the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
(NIV)
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God." John 1:12 (NIV)
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your
heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Where are you?
Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?
Here is how you can receive Christ: 1. Admit your need (I am a
sinner). 2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent). 3. Believe that
Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave. 4. Through
prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy
Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
Prayer:
After the prayer, please CONTACT US and let us
know of your decision. We would like to send you some additional information to
help get you on your spiritual journey.
How to Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I
believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You
to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and
Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God's Assurance: His Word
If you prayed this prayer,
The Bible says ...
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. " (NIV)
Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life? Where is He right
now? What has He given you?
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith yourselves, it is the
gift of God
Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the supernatural
work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. This is called
regeneration, or the "new birth."
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this
relationship you should:
1. Read your Bible everyday to know Christ better. 2. Talk to God in
prayer every day. 3. Tell others about Christ. 4. Worship, fellowship, and
serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached. 5. As
Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love
and concern for others.
