15. just ancient history?
John 14 : 6 declares one of the most inclusively exclusive statements. Jesus says about Himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. And in chapter 8, He promises that if you abide in His word…you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. The Bible is clear that truth is not the news or a set of morals or even a feeling of liberation.
The truth, is a person and that person is only Jesus Christ. Exclusive.
But whoever would believe in Him and love Him, will find freedom and life. Inclusive.
This level of absolution is offensive to most of what society tells us and to what our own hearts want instinctively. So if you’ve read this far and you’re thinking, that it’s a great story for me, but it’s just not for you…I get it. You might think there are too many unanswered questions, the Bible seems like ancient history, and you have had a successful life thus far. Or maybe it’s that you’re not dealing with anxiety or loneliness. Or you’ve got enough money in the bank and friends/family in your contact list. Or maybe your own status quo has been working just fine and to shake it up now and start thinking that Jesus is real would cause too much commotion or discomfort.
Take a moment.
Look within, if not now, someday you may wonder if there is something more, and if you do, I pray that you take a leap of faith and believe that Jesus is near and able to love and accept everything about you. He is able to do far more than imaginable.
He is the only King in history and across every religion who ever left their throne to become one of His people, to experience what we experience, and to die to make a way for an up close and personal relationship.
He is the only One who is complete and not needing a thing. He is the only one who just wants us, to come as we are.
Ephesians 3: 17-21
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
My story is common, but my God is not.