I didn’t have the advantage of ‘growing up’ in church. Knowledge of who Jesus was and what He had done, came to me later. Further, I was not part of the Jewish heritage which had the ancient scriptures, prophets, and traditions to point them to God. However, the gospel came my way by a faithful friend, local church, and an evangelist. I was a bit late to the game. But, not too late. Jesus warned people about relying on their background instead of their personal experience with Him for their salvation. He said, if you are trying to enter heaven from someplace other than knowing Him, you won’t come in. How then does one come to know Jesus? Read and understand the account of His life, death and resurrection. Believe in Him and His teachings. Ask Him to forgive your sins and to send the Holy Spirit to take up permanent residence in your heart. Become part of a group of Christians in a local church. Grow in your faith and watch what God does!
And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin standing outside and knocking on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ and He then will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ Then you will begin saying, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets!’ And yet He will say, ‘I do not know where you are from; leave Me, all you evildoers.’ Luke 13:23-27 NASB
Do I have a genuine relationship with Jesus and will He know “where I am coming from”? How am I fostering that relationship in prayer and worship?
God, as this day begins- I am so very grateful You chose me to hear, believe and accept Your dear Son Jesus into my life. Thank you that You hear my prayers, answer, and give me thoughts beyond my own as You daily lead and guide me in this life. I can’t imagine what the next life will be like in Your presence and always in proximity to You. I do pray that all I know begin to build a relationship with You. May they be part of the few.
