Christianity is about Christ. Jesus is the Christ. He is the Messiah. The Son of God who came into the world, died on the cross to wash clean the sins of those redemptive believers who faithfully accept Him as their Savior.
Being a Christian is about more than just believing in God. It's about having a relationship with Jesus Christ and following his teachings. Christians believe this brings the Holy Spirit into their lives. There are many ways to express faith, but for Christians, it involves practices that deepen their connection to Jesus.
There is only one path to becoming a Christian and you cannot walk in two directions at one time. You are moving towards Jesus or away from Him, there is no middle ground. Stopping and not moving is equal to walking away. What direction are you headed? Are you traveling towards Christ or are you traveling away from Him?
This makes life much more simple for you because this is what He wants. When you walk with Christ you walk to God's many fruits and life everlasting. Living life with peace and joy in your heart like no other. Your choice to walk through the narrow gate will lead to a lifetime of tireless belief and trust in Jesus.
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it." Matthew 7:13 NKJV
It's heartwarming to know that when you walk on the right path you enjoy benefits but, being faithful to Jesus is not just about what we get, it's about what He gives. It's a relationship that on our part involves more than just lip service or positive thinking, it is "faith and hope in action." Our actions are demonstrated in the faith and love we show Jesus through prayer and they ensure our good standing with Him. It takes an active desire to practice Christianity and maintain a loving relationship with Jesus. Christianity is not a religion, it is about Christ.
Surprised or confused? You may be on the wrong path. It's never too late to change direction if you are ready and willing to receive God's call. Have You Been Saved, are you born again?
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3 NKJV
Jesus tells us there is only one requirement to be taken into His fold as one of His children. It's called Salvation.
[15] "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. [16] 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. [17] For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. - John 3:15-17 NKJV
If you are born again, you have been saved. After this, it's all about living life as a Christian in good faith and walking in the same direction as Jesus. It includes learning how to let Him guide you through life with peace and joy in your heart and how to keep in good standing.
This makes life much more difficult for you. Following Jesus's teachings will bring us closer to Him and strengthen us against temptation. Temptation is the devil's work. Following his temptations could lead you down a path of no return. The world is full of these simple temptations, and by nature, most people choose the easy way, the path of least resistance. Today, right now, you can change that in your life.
Following Jesus opens the door to God's amazing promises and eternal life. Instead of being dissatisfied most of the time with little peace in life, you could turn to Jesus and start anew. There are two things you can depend on- Jesus will never force you into something you do not want to do, and He will never leave you or forsake you.
Jesus is patient. When God calls, He will love you, guide you, and change your life forever. There is no other peace that Jesus gives, no other love. The world offers only temporary pleasure. God's promises never change and provide the satisfaction we seek. Salvation is free for all who desire it and is granted by God, in His grace and with His mercy for us. His will for all of mankind, for all His creation, is to come to Him.
Christians must continue to grow. Spiritual nourishment and daily practice are essential for becoming stronger and better-thinking Christians. Nourishment comes from reading God's word and following the truth and Spirit of Jesus. Daily practice involves making good choices by turning away from the depravity of the world and praying to Jesus for your needs, which ultimately builds confidence. Your relationship with Jesus can only grow if you actively work on nurturing it. Jesus is the source of all your strength, truth, and trust. The truth of Jesus always prevails and overcomes.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 NKJV
In these muddled times, we are faced with many questions. People seek the truth but the depravity in the world makes the truth elusive and the answers to life's toughest questions, unsatisfactory. The reason we come to God for answers is because He created us and knows us. He provided us with a means to get help from Him because He knew we would become lost and dissatisfied.
Our Salvation is God's helping hand, His mercy. It's His gift to us. Jesus is the gift. Jesus connects us with God through prayer. And in prayer, God provides answers for us. Answers specific to our needs which bring us His promised joy and peace. It provides us with the satisfaction we desire and the world can not deliver.
All we have to do is ask for His help. Prayer is not about asking for what we want from God, but rather seeking His help in what we don't understand. We do this to achieve what is important to Him. We can only experience the fullness of God's blessings, promises, and the benefits of being His children when we develop a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. This requires dedication, obedience, and time invested in growing closer to Him. So you have to pray. Pray to Jesus and let Him know how you feel, how lost you are when you feel lost, and how you need Him to help you understand. In God's good time, your prayers will be answered. It is guaranteed by God, He has promised to guide and help us learn and He has never failed to live up to His promises. God works if you work with Him.
Now is the time to use your faith in God. Faith, in part, is defined in scripture as those things you cannot see or understand. The point is this- you are not going to fully understand how all this works, you just need to keep moving forward and have faith in God. Stay committed to understanding what you read in the bible and ask questions when you do not understand. Take comfort that you are not alone, it takes time to understand God's will for you. In your daily progress, God will show you what is important for you to know when He wants you to know it.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." - 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
So, instead of running around and bouncing off the walls because you do not understand something and life is not going your way, you can now turn to Jesus in prayer and find peace and joy.
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27 NKJV