Welcome, dear Reader!
Have you ever thought how precious you are? People have already given a lot for you! Parents, family, good friends and/or others have repeatedly invested love, time, attention, compassion and help into your life, which might have cost them a lot. But there is someone who does even more for you because you mean so much more to Him! Let’s discover why and what it can mean for you!
Why are You on This Earth?
The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Ps 24:1f
A trustworthy source tells us that the universe and all life comes from God and is sustained by Him. He has shared responsibility for governing the planet with especially created beings who have something of Himself in them and who can thereby represent Him well. All humans – as these beings are called – receive different parts of God’s qualities and abilities. When they are guided by Him and work together in love, then they reflect God in the best possible way and all of creation is doing well!
Every person has a sphere of influence that they should also protect and develop. In order to achieve this, regular fellowship with God – his origin – is crucial. Without this connection, something in him also remains unfulfilled.
People enjoyed life intensely and also found plenty of fulfillment in the areas of activity that suited them best. By far the most beautiful thing, however, were the recurring times with their Creator, who was the fullness of life itself and who radiated love, light, strength, life, peace, wisdom, clarity and everything else that they needed for their life. God loved the people in whom He found so much of Himself – just as parents love their children, in whom something unmistakable about them lives on. It could have gone on like this forever!
The Center of the Universe
An important detail:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1: 1ff
Everything began to exist after God had spoken. What He says comes to pass. His Word is more than pure information: it carries within itself the power to bring everything into existence. It is one with God because He always speaks the truth. It represents Him perfectly , is the origin of us all and is pure life in itself!
“Word” means, among other things, statement, meaning and purpose, summary, decision, and God’s Word is produced by the Spirit of God and can come to us in many different ways. It also includes God’s commandments, which enable people to live in accordance with their purpose by
- increasingly perceiveing God
- learning to love Him above everything else
- granting their fellow human beings whatever they enjoy themselves
- take care that God feels well and comfortable in their lives.
For a long time it was obvious that everything God says comes true and it was self-understood to trust Him without reservation. People had the freedom to also act in reliance on deviating sources. This however always prooved to be useless, as could be expected. The world and life originally came from the Word of God and are only sustained by it:
… the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store …
2.Pet 3:7
In [the Word] was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Joh 1:4f
Why do many People not Perceive God?
The earth belongs to God, but man has been authorized to make decisions about it – similar to a managing director who has extensive freedom, but is regularly accountable to the owner of the company. God therefore generally does not intervene without invitation.
Over time, people became careless and no longer paid the appropriate attention to the word of God. They had the freedom to do so because they were created in the image of God and God is free. At some point, however, they began to believe false information that portrayed God as a liar who was withholding something from them. Finally they acted against the word of God – something that hardly ever happens in creation.
Looking back, that had been a tragic decision! People had previously experienced the presence of God as the best thing that could happen to them. They had admired the perfection of everything that had sprung from the Word of God. They experienced how acting according to his words always brought the best results. Finally, God had also warned them that they would die if they disregarded an essential instruction. But that is exactly what they had now done! Their consciousness changed abruptly and suddenly they could no longer cope with their lives.
God forgave them and took measures to ensure that they did not perish immediately, even though they had now become mortal. However, because of their decision, He Himself had to withdraw from the earth a good distance and became invisible to them. This was also necessary because, in their altered state of consciousness, people would no longer have been able to bear the sight of His perfect beauty and purity. Forces that had spread lies about God gained influence wherever people acted in faith in them. This led to more dissatisfaction and insecurity among all living beings, work became laborious and inefficient and resource shortages led to conflicts, violence and wars. The world as we know it today is the result of these developments.
Man-made “solutions”
It is true that not all people were and are in a consistently bad situation. In certain areas of life, many were able to lead an acceptable life for a while. But it cost their own quality of life in other areas or happened to the disadvantage of others… or both.
Looking at the big picture, mankind had already lost a lot. But God could not be satisfied either – neither with the suffering that was constantly inflicted on His beloved creation, nor with being largely excluded from His property, nor with the fact that people, who were created for His glory and as His representatives, lived so far away from their original purpose and simply failed to shape their areas of influence for the good of all! Although everyone has basically good intentions, there is often a lack of direction, competence and perseverance because the proximity to their Creator has been lost.
In order to endure and justify existing conditions, people have developed their own moral, religious and ideological standards, which are often detached from reality. In the long term, they deceive themselves and do not achieve the goals that would make them happy in the long term. Left to their own abilities, they remain a long way from the quality of life for which they had been created!
More and more people longed for justice and gradually tried to establish it in their spheres of influence. This also eased conditions. But some things were reversed in the next generation and there was never a fundamental improvement for all of mankind. More and more people started to cry out to God!
The Return of Justice
…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Jam 5:16
God has heard every cry ever been made to Him, and it is already certain that He will come and put a definitive end to every injustice!
Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all …
Jud 14f
On the one hand, this will launch a phase of restoration in which all man-made damage will be repaired. Stability, security, justice, peace and a quality of life that is now unknown to many will return to Earth.
But everyone has also caused suffering themselves – sometimes unconsciously, but often also consciously – and is therefore no longer in a position to be part of God’s perfect government. However, this has always been his primary destiny and purpose! Every person is not only a victim but – to a certain extent – also an offender!
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned
Rom 5:12
Mankind needs a solution! And it cannot consist of minimizing our own mistakes and presenting ourselves as victims of those of others, which usually seem more serious than our own. God is holy, perfect, absolutely just. He sees the whole picture with all the details and cannot simply turn a blind eye … but He does something much better:
God’s solution!
He Himself pays fully for the guilt of all those people who readily
- admit their own guilt,
- accept the grace of complete forgiveness as a gift
- come back to the rule of His Word!
God forgives all guilt at His own expense to anyone who turns back to Him! It works this way:
The Word, everything had been created by, came to earth as a human being, was the only one to live consistently according to God’s will, and yet allowed himself to be punished by God with death – completely innocently and as a substitute for all people who had been separated from God through their own sin – including you!
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Joh 1:14
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the [sacrificial] Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Joh 1:29
… How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him… whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Acts 10:38ff
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly… And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:16
… For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus …
Röm 3:23f
God loves you that much that He gave His very best – His only Son – to have you on His side for eternity! (Just ask Jesus if that’s true .He is risen and will find a way to answer you!) You can immediately regain your original dignity – to be God’s representative, friend, confidant and now even child – if you recognize Him as trustworthy and believe in His Word, so that from now on you orient your life towards Him! He gives you strength and success, so that you are not limited to your efforts and abilities, but can also access His infinite riches!
If that’s what you want, then say with an audible voice:
“Jesus, I believe that You are God’s Word that created everything, that You are the eternal King who will rule everything, and that You died on the cross for all my sins! I say “Yes!” to You in all points! Forgive me all my sins, renew my life and from now on shape and use it according to Your good pleasure – just as it had originally been intended! If it’s true then I am Yours! Fill me with Your Spirit, which makes me understand You, renews me inwardly and guides me in the way that is best for all for eternity. I want to trust You and stay with You – please take care of everything I can’t! Thank you Jesus! Amen (so be it)!”
Saved!
If this is what you said and meant, you have done the best-possible for God, yourself and others! Heaven celebrates and you have been given a new life in which your original dignity and calling have been restored. Step by step, you will experience improvements that you would have thought impossible!
Take time regularly to consciously enjoy what He has done for you and thank Him thoroughly for every good thing! Also talk to Him about everything that moves or challenges you! You will learn to hear from Him as well:
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:27
In this process, expecially the Bible will help you! It has been uniquely inspired and compiled by the Spirit of God. It should be your primary reference to get to know God’s nature and will and to identify Him talking into your life. Ask Him to communicate to you as you read!
Start with
- one of the accounts of Jesus‘ life, e.g. that of His best friend John. Alternatively, you could choose Mark (short), Matthew(focus on doctrine among others) and Luke (historically detailed).
- and the books following
(On the website, a swipe to the left or a click on the arrow at the bottom right will take you to the next chapter or book.)
Everything you find in the Bible should be understood from the following perspective:
Now the end of the commandment is
1.Tim 1:5
- Love
- out of a pure heart,
- and of a good conscience,
- and of faith unfeigned:
A summary of the Bible which contains some more details than the text above can be found in the detailed version of this article.
(You might first want to get to know Jesus better before you entrust your whole life to Him. Then simply start talking to Him about everything that moves you in your daily life and get to know Him also with the help of the Bible).
Most Important now …
… if your life belongs to Him:
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing… If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Joh 15:4ff
Enjoy His presence and spend time with Him again and again!
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Joh 17:3
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2.Cor 3:18
This will transform your life in the long term, prepare you for eternity and also enable you to have a positive impact on your environment:
… that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able … to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge …
Eph 3:17ff
Also thank Him in everything! It’s not meant to become burdensome, as He said:
… learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Mt 11:29f
Furthermore important
… Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Ps 37:4
God loves you more than anyone else does, and has made every provision for you to enjoy His favor and fellowship and experience His intervention in your life!
The more familiar you become with Him, the better protected you are from temptations. Other people, things or thoughts might promise purpose, satisfaction or salvation but accomplish the very opposite! So simply stay connected to Jesus Christ – the original – Himself – then you won’t fall for any fakes.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
He will also help you in all everyday matters – at least once you ask Him. Especially in a world that is alienated from God, frictions may arise, but He always has the perfect solution in store:
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Jer 33:3
Especially don’t be held back from coming to Him because of your own failures! We all still make mistakes – sometimes gross ones. But if Jesus gave His life for your guilt when you had nothing to do with Him, how much friendlier will He be to you now that you belong to His family? You can bring everything that stands in your way to His cross and finally experience that it is no longer there! Just remain open, honest and transparent before Him. God sees you; in order to maintain a good relationship, you should address everything by yourself. He has made it easy for you:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1. Joh 1:9
Promised! For fairness‘ sake, also forgive others the same way.
And if you ever feel helpless, just call out “Jesus!” and trust Him, because
… And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered …
Joel 2:27
Further recommendations …
… you can fnd in the long version of this article.
Many people find it rewarding to exchange thoughts with like-minded people and experience God’s presence and intervention more intensely when they pray together. However, as groups have different focuses, I cannot give a general recommendation. Ask God to bring you together with the right fellowship for you. You will recognize it by their sincere love for one another, the sparkling excitement for Jesus and the fact that it will lead you to recognize Him even more clearly and love Him deeper!
A good next step could also be the interdenominational basic faith course Alpha. You can get further answers in a relaxed atmosphere without obligation and get to know other interested people.
It’s important to always stay in conversation with God by yourself, to thank Him and ask Him to guide you correctly. Christ died especially for your direct relationship with God, who has now become your Father. He sees the big picture and wants the best for you like noone else!
Now it’s your turn! “Dear God, …”
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Röm 8:38f