Embracing Your Calling with Enthusiasm: When Love Calls Your Name Continued (Part 1 of 3)  

Monday, September 27th, 2010

“Make me a believer for once in my life
Right here and now
Touch me somehow
Let it be tonight
It’s all on the line
I’m down on my knees
I don’t know how but I’m ready to see
Clear every shadow of doubt in my mind
‘Cause I want to believe” Jake lyrics

At the core of every human being is an intense silence, inward loneliness, and undeniable void that screams for a cure. Living with it leaves us gasping for air as we try to find the item that just might fill the empty void in our lives. Everyone has a different way in going about this. Some turn to drugs or alcohol. Others take the road of money and possessions. And some turn to success and personal achievements to find fulfillment in their life. What they overlook is that with every case the missing substance is not an “it” but a Him–Jesus Christ. Most often in this search for meaning, people do come across Jesus in some way, shape, or form. The problem lies in the fact that most haven’t the slightest idea what to do with Him. This turns to ignorance on their part. They hang crosses around their neck as good luck charms, study His words and sayings, ask Him for victory in sporting events, and use His life as a good behavioral model. Yet their luck runs dry, their team loses, they fail to live out His words, and remain unchanged in their everyday life.  The question remains who is this Jesus who has the single largest impact on the world since His birth 2,000 years ago? And why does it matter?

Jesus Christ came to earth as the missing piece in the incomplete puzzle of humanity. His coming should have made perfect sense to the world because He was the missing void they craved. But things didn’t work out that way. “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” (John 1:10) Crowds came to Him for all different reasons from curiosity, to healing, but they didn’t realize that they needed Him. When He fed a following of five thousand with bread and fish, some began to follow Him just because of the miracle He had provided them. Jesus wanted them to receive Him, but they followed Him because of the miracle.” Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.’” (John 6:26-27) As the living bread, Jesus wishes for people to receive Him and He will satisfy the inward hunger of our soul and spirit.

Jesus is seen in a large vast of ways to different people. To some people He was just a good teacher who lived a moral life to be followed. To others He was a prophet who was wrongly accused. And to a select group, He was an invention of someone who never existed. But in reality Jesus can only be one of three possibilities which C. S. Lewis points out:

“A man who said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: Or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” Jesus stated He was the Son of God on countless occasions and He was in equal status with God. Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord there is no other option!

The name Jesus literally means “Jehovah Saves.” God never said that if we believe only in Himself that we be saved. Instead He gave us the specific name of Jesus Christ. In Acts 4:12 we’re told: ” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Not Buddha, Saint Mary, Mohammad, or Confucius–Jesus is the one and only option. You cannot have God without Jesus. For “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:23) Jesus is the only door to eternal life, forgiveness. peace, and joy. He tells us that, “I am the door. If anyone enter by Me, He will be saved.” (John 10:9)

Why should you believe in Jesus as the Lord of our life? What makes His claim as the only way to God as something to be taken as the truth? First,  because He fulfilled countless prophecies written hundreds of years before His birth. From the place of birth (Micah 5:2), to being born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), to speaking in parables (Psalm 78:2), to being betrayed (Psalm 41:9), to being crucified(Psalm 22)–all were foretold and is confirms that Jesus is who He says He was. Secondly, He never committed a wrong or sinned. When He was put on trial the Roman governor, Pilate found no charge against Him and a centurion who took part in his execution called Him a “righteous man” (John 18:28-38, Luke 23:47) Also because of the countless miracles He displayed for all to see. He did not reveal His miracles in secret places, but in the presence of His enemies. No one dared to dispute that He could perform miracles. And these miracles included healing lepers, the blind, casting out demons, and raising the dead!  Lastly and most profoundly, Jesus rose from the dead after suffering a brutal and senseless death on a Roman cross. I do not have space to write the overwhelming evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ but this website provides the top ten reasons to believe it truly did happen:  http://toptenproofs.com/article_resurrection.php (Update 11/7/11: Check out the current series on the Home page for a more thorough look at the evidence of the Resurrection: www.shoutitforlife.com)  So why did Jesus have to die and be raised back to life?

In Old Testament times the only way into the presence of God was sacrifice of an unblemished animal. So God sent His son to be the sacrifice for all people, at all times. He was without sin and took our place on the cross. Jesus became the ‘Lamb of God.’ The penalty of sin is death(Romans 6:23) and the only way to satisfy the wrath of God was to send His Son in our place. God loves us that much that He doesn’t want to see one person perish. Even if you were the only person on the planet, He would still have sent His Son to die for you. When Jesus raised from the dead, He conquered death forever and offers us this life. What is this eternal life offered to us when we accept His gift of salvation?

“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.” (John 3:16) This verse is the most quoted verse in the entire Bible and most non-believers can quote is as well. The last part, “shall not perish, but have eternal life” is viewed by some as not a particularly rewarding. Sure they don’t want to die, but living forever is quite unnerving. What they fail to see is that eternal life is more than a sense of longevity, but of quality. Eternal life in the Bible is used with the word of “zoe”, which is commonly used to describe the eternal life of God. Jesus came to give us this life and He stated it John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life(zoe).” So what are the qualities of this eternal life?

This eternal life offered to us is remarkable in many ways. First, it is eternal which means it is that not confined to time. God’s life knows neither a beginning nor end. He alone is eternal as each of us had a beginning when we began to exist. Also the life offered to us is incorruptible. God is “the incorruptible God” (Romans 1:23) and nothing can penetrate his life. Another characteristic of the life God offers is it’s indestructible. No force or person can nullify it. This is a life that cannot be killed through any force in heaven, earth, or creation. Finally this life is not be separated from Christ. It is Christ. As Christ said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Having Jesus Christ is the same as having eternal life. Jesus doesn’t just offer it, He is it. When someone receives Christ and the Holy Spirit what transpires is truly a miracle. The life of God enters into that person, a life that has no ending, is not corruptible, and cannot die. The believer has the greatest gift the world will ever know or receive.

What do I have to do to be saved? In reality it’s not what you can do, it’s what He has already done. You can’t earn your way to salvation, it is a gift. All you have to do is choose to receive it. First, you must believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and rightful ruler of your life. That He is the Son of God and came to die for your sins. Next, you must recognize you are a sinner and be willing to turn from your sins in the act of repenting.  Then pray your conviction to Him and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. We are told “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) It’s not a set of magical words that God wants to hear, just be honest and open to Him. An example of a salvation prayer is posted below. If you prayed this prayer you must made the biggest decision of your life and are now a child of God! Contact a local church and tell others about this decision you’ve just made!

One final thing we must address is the issue of knowing for sure that you’re saved. This is not to say we ought to linger in doubt about our salvation but it’s good to have a healthy self-check. Without this assurance we’ll wander in a desert of uncertainty. As the Apostle John tells us: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13) There are many reasons to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life found in Jesus Christ. First, because it is in writing and that writing is the Bible. Simply put, real faith needs only to know whether God has said something. And that is good enough. Just ask yourself:  Did I do what God told me do to in order to recieve salavation? If you confessed Jesus as Lord and believed it in your heart you are saved because He tells us so in His Word! Also in Romans 8:16 Paul tells us, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” We have an inner witness that assures us that we are indeed born of God. Try this and see if it’s true: Go somewhere alone and shout “I am not a child of God.” Immediately there is a slight sense of disagreement between your heart and mind.  This is the human spirit and the Holy Spirit together witnessing that you are a child of God, even though you claimed that you were not. Finally, you’ll act differently, see things in a whole different light, and notice change in your everyday life. You’ll also experience true peace; a peace that is outside all circumstances, you’ll find joy in your salvation and walk with Christ, and desire to love others like you love yourself. The evidence then is so profound that our lives become a living testimony that salvation is ours. With these assurances, we can strive ahead in life with confidence into a glorious future God has in store for us!

                                                                                             If you’re still struggling with making this big decision, there are many resources via the internet that can further help you in making this forever life changing decision. But DO NOT put this decision off, none of us know when our final breath will be and this is one decision that cannot be put off for a later date. I can’t stress enough how important this is—once you know the truth about Jesus Christ you reach a critical point. You can either accept His gift of salvation or continue living your life on your own terms rejecting Him. It’s your choice to make, no one else can make it for you. God cannot force us to love Him, but in order for a relationship with Him He offers His Son as the one way to make this possible. He calls us by name and passionately seeks a divine romance with us. When Love called my name it completely changed my life and Love will change your life if you answer His call. We were created for this purpose and this purpose alone–for the call of Christ!

Salvation Prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.”

**If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today, please contact someone and let them know you the decision you’re made. Find a local church that is Biblically based and join the body of Christ. The Christian faith was not meant to be carried out alone but with other believers. If you feel comfortable contact me about your decision and I’ll direct you towards what course of action to take next. My E-mail address is kylej317@gmail.com **

**Next week we’ll look at part 2 of 3 of Embracing Your Calling with Enthusiasm, our calling to become like Christ. Also look for a new Profile on the band MercyMe later this week. I hope these blogs helped you see the truth no matter where you are in your relationship with God. May God bless you and have a great week!**

Sources: John Meyer, Solid, Gospel Outfitters: Worthington, OH, 2005.

Kevin and Kay Marie Breenflick, Live Your Calling, Jossey-Bass:  San Francisco, CA

Pictures from http://www.gracefellowshipstanford.com/pages/steps_to_peace.htm