The purpose of this page is to answer 3 questions. Who is God? Who is Jesus? And, why is Jesus important? Before we get into the depth of it, I will quote from Jesus's disciple John.
John 1:1-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own people, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, \"He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.\"") 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
God loves us unconditionally. Here is what Jesus told a Jewish Rabbi.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
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And here is what Jesus prayed to Father God shortly before his betrayal.
John 17:3-5
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
But what is wrong? Why do you feel like there is something lacking?
The problem is we are sinful. Sin is any thing you think, say, or do that displeases God. And because of our sin, we are separated from God. God is the source of all love and purpose in our lives. But we are cut off.
The apostle Paul in his letter to the Roman church says "For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." (Romans 3:23) And later in his letter, he says "For the wages of sin is death.". We all are sinners and deserve death. And we deserve separation from God after death. But God provided a solution.
In Mark's account of Jesus's ministry, Jesus said "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." (Mark 10:27)
Jesus is God's only solution to save us from our predicament. Through him alone can we know God personally and experience God's love and plan for our lives. According to John's account Jesus told his disciples "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one is able to come to the Father except by me." (John 14:6).
Paul in his letter to the Romans said the following paragraph (Romans 5:6-11).
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die- 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Here is the whole verse of Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church wrote the following paragraph (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
But it is not enough to simply know these truths. We must individually receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. Then we are able to know God personally and experience his love and plan.
John is his account of Jesus's ministry said "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)
Paul in his letter to the Ephesian church said the following paragraph. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
John 3:1-15
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to him by night and said "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." to him. 3 Jesus answered him "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" to him. 5 Jesus answered "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you \"Ye must be born again.\". 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.". 9 Nicodemus said "How can these things be?" to him. 10 Jesus answered "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but ye do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." to him.
Jesus sent this message through the apostle John in his Revelation "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20).
Receiving Jesus involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Jesus to come into your life to forgive you of your sins and make you into what he wants you to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for our sins is not enough. The demons believe that too (James 2:19). And they will eventually be sent to hell. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. You must receive Jesus as an act of the will.
You are able to receive Jesus by prayer. The act of prayer is talking to God. Here is a sample prayer you are able to say to God to receive Christ.
Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins and coming back from the dead. Please come into my life. Lord, I need you. I accept You as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Please take control of my life. Make me into what I was meant to be.
Does that prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, pray this prayer right now. And Christ will come into your life as he promised. The prayer only works if you really mean it.
According to His promise, as recorded in Revelation 3:20, where is Jesus right now in relation to you? Jesus said that He would come into your life and be your savior and friend so you can know him personally. Would he mislead you? On what authority do you know God has answered your prayer? (The reliability of God Himself and His Word)
The Bible promises Eternal Life to All Who Receive Jesus.
1 John 5:11-13
11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
Thank God frequently that Jesus is in your life and for never leaving or forsaking you. (Hebrews 13:5) You are able to know on the basis of His promise that Jesus lives in you and that you have eternal life from the very moment you invite Him in.
Do not depend on your feelings. The promise of God's Word, the Bible is our authority, not our feelings. The Christian lives by faith in the reliability of God Himself and his Word.
The moment Jesus comes into your life many things happen.
Your sins are forgiven. (Colossians 1:14)
You become a child of God. (John 1:12)
You receive eternal life. (John 5:24)
You begin to serve the purpose for which God intended. (Ephesians 2:10)
Since you are now a child of God, follow these suggestions to become more mature in your faith. Go to God in prayer daily. Read the Bible daily. (I suggest beginning by reading the Gospel of John. The first chapter is at the top of this page.)(Here is a link to the Bible) Obey God moment by moment. Live for Jesus by your life style and words. Trust God with every detail of your life.
God's Word (the Bible) instructs us to meet with other believers.
Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Several logs in the fire burn brightly. But take one out, and the flames on it will eventually die out. That is why we go to church. We go to church to grow together in our faith.
Ephesians 2:19-22
So then ye are no longer strangers and aliens, but are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him ye are also being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
We go to church to teach and train each other.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
And, we go to church to comfort others.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
If you are not going to a church, do not wait to be invited. Although Baptist churches are not the only good churches out there, I would recommend you go to a Baptist church. Here are some websites where you are able to find more answers to your questions.
Here is an entire sermon series on God's love. This will encourage you.
The Love of God: Steadfast, Irrevocable
The Love of God: Crazy and Compelling
The Love of God: The Prodigal Painting
These were recorded from Houston's First Baptist Church on July 17, July 24, July 31 and August 8.
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. 6 "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. 6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”