This is a booklet produced in 2017, by John And Margaret Watson.
What is ‘following Jesus’ all about?
The simple answer is that it is about having a relationship.
The relationships we each have in life are important to us. With parents, a partner, a husband or wife, with wider family, those we work and study with – all these affect us.
You may think being a follower of Jesus, a Christian, is about keeping rules, the ten commandments, and all the rest. The most important aspect though is about having a relationship with the God who created us. The Gospel, that is the first 4 books of the New Testament in the bible, contain a lot of the things Jesus said, but the most important things he said include what he said about the greatest commandment, which is to love God, which includes learning who He is and what He has done. Secondly Jesus spoke about our relationships with others – Love your neighbour as yourself.
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Why do I need a relationship with God?
Until we are in a good relationship with God there will be a gap in our lives . You will be aware of something not being quite right, an emptiness, a gap. The temptation of course is to try to fill that gap with something, with anything. For some it will be having more money – but even millionaires can be unhappy. Look up the word ‘Millionaire’ on the web and you very soon come up with the idea of sad millionaires, so money alone doesn’t bring happiness. Others try excess in other ways, drink, drugs, or promiscuous sex. Then there are those who work every hour available, or let sport take over their lives. Hard work and love of sport, good personal relationships; all these can of course be good things, but they just won’t fill that God space we all have. That deep void we need to fill for a greater meaning and purpose in life.
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We need Jesus.
In John’s Gospel Chapter 10 verse 10 Jesus said “ I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.”
The Bible teaches that we were cut off from knowing God by a darkness inside us. This dark hole inside us is ‘God shaped’. Nothing else will fit. All the things we try to fill it with are like the wrong parts of a jigsaw. Its only when we ask Jesus to come and fill that emptiness, we find that life is satisfying and complete.
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He can satisfy our search for meaning in our lives
At some point in our lives we all find ourselves asking ‘What’s the point? What am I here for?’
People have come up with lots of answers. The Author Richard Adams, famously came up with ‘42’.
Hardly a satisfying answer.
The truth is that unless we have a relationship with God we will never discover true purpose, true meaning in life. 4/
He can satisfy our need to be forgiven
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We all know that there are times when we do things that we shouldn’t, things that make us feel ashamed. The things which need forgiveness. You may think ‘Oh, everyone does that!’ Whatever it is you are talking about, getting drunk, betraying a relationship, even stealing and adultery. – Does that make it alright? You know it doesn’t. So what can be done?
By his death on the cross Jesus made it possible for us to be able to say ‘I am sorry. Please forgive me.’ The amazing thing is that God wants us, to do just that. – Say ‘sorry’.
He offers us forgiveness, and a way back to a right relationship with Him.
Jesus didn’t come to condemn us but to save us from being separated from God. Without forgiveness God cannot accept us, and our guilt will remain.
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Why do I need Christianity?
Christians would answer ‘Because it is true.’ If it isn’t they are wasting their time. If it is true, It’s the most important thing ever.
But Is it really true?
It is based on a real ( not fictional ) person, Jesus Christ – on his life, his death, and his resurrection. The Bible presents these things as facts. Our faith is based on firm historical evidence, and not only from the bible. But from other ancient written records.
Jesus divides history.
The coming of Jesus into the world made such a difference that we call the time before him ‘Before Christ’ ( BC) and the time after him ( AD ) ‘Anno Domini’, which is Latin for the year of the Lord.
The Bible is clear that Jesus is the Son of God.
His 12 disciples believed he was, and after His death and resurrection the early church always believed, that Jesus is divine the son of Go
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What did Jesus say.
Some would say Jesus was just a good man, perhaps a prophet. Yes he was, but he was so much more.
Jesus made the most amazing claim – that he was the one and only Son of God. See John chapter 10 verse 36 I am God’s Son.
Sound a crazy claim, unless it was actually true.
He cannot be just a good teacher, that is certain . When he talked about heaven for instance John chapter14 verse 2, he was speaking about a place he knew well. A good teacher wouldn’t make things up. As C.S. Lewis the writter said : –
Let us not come up with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.’
He then went on to say :- However strange or terrible or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that he is and was God.’
And yet we have also to accept that Jesus was human
as far as His teaching is concerned there seems to be a general agreement that it is the purest and best.
As for His life it was an example of goodness and loving concern, miraculous power. The ordinary people loved Him.
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Did He really conquer death?
Some years ago Frank Morison tried to write a book to disprove the idea that Jesus rose from the death on that first Easter Day. He looked at the stories we have in the gospels very carefully, and in the end concluded that it really was true.
When the disciples arrived at the tomb, it was empty except for the folded grave clothes. In the next few weeks over 500 people saw the risen Jesus. The disciples who had been in fear of the authorities had their lives transformed, and out of this the church began.
Jesus can satisfy our hunger for life beyond death.
Because He died and rose again it is possible for our soul to life after death, and spend eternity with Him.
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Why did Jesus need to come into the world?
In Mark chapter 10 verse 45 Jesus said that he had come to give His life’ as a ransom for many.’ He was paying the price of our sins.
John chapter 3 verse 16 in the Message Bible says this :-
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life”. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
Did Jesus Have to face crucifixion?
From what we know of crucifixion it was the cruellest form of execution. Yet the New Testament makes it clear that there was something worse, the spiritual anguish of being separated from God, as Jesus carried our sins.
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Jesus did it for Us
When Jesus paid the ransom He set us free to be the people we ought to be.
John Wesley’s famous hymn which begins by talking of the amazing love of God. says. ‘My chains fell off, my heart was free’,
In John chapter 10 verse 18 Jesus said “ I lay down my life”, That is He died for us, instead of us. By being willing to go to the cross he was effectively saying “ I will take all the sins of the world on myself “ even though He was sinless. 10/
Free from what?
Free from guilt.
You may think you aren’t such a bad person, but each one of us has broken God’s laws not once, but many times, in the things we have done, but also through our attitudes and our negative words. Sin is a word not often used in modern society, But it is in the Bible, Roman chapter 3 verse 23 ‘ All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God ‘. And just as crimes have penalties so does Sin. Roman chapter 6 verse 23 ‘ The wages of Sin is death ’. But by dying on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty in our place. Jesus took the punishment so we could go free.
The slate is wiped clean.
Free from fear of Death.
Jesus came so that by His death, you will not have to fear its penalty. He also came that He might destroy him who holds you in fear, that is the devil. A fallen angel who causes havoc in this world.
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Free for What ?
Freedom to get to know God.
The relationship between us and God is damaged by the things we do wrong. The death of Jesus on our behalf rebuilds that bridge. We become once again the loving sons and daughters of God,
and are given His Spirit to enable us to know Him better.
Freedom to love
First letter of John chapter 4 verse 19 tells us ‘ We love because he first loved us.’ When Gods’ Spirit is alive and well in us , as Jesus promised , then we can really experience the love of God, and we can love Him in return.
Our lives become centred around this love, which then spills out into a life of service to others. Instead of only thinking about ourselves.
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Freedom to make changes
Each of us will have things in our lives we wish we could change. With the power of the Spirit of God with us we can change so that we live the kinds of life that we really want to live. Paul in his letter to the church in Galatia chapter 5 verse 22-23 talked about the fruit of the Spirit – the positive things – love, joy, peace and patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Gradually this fruit grow in our lives.
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So why not accept Christ?
God offers us the gifts of freedom , forgiveness and gives his Spirit to live in us.
When you are offered such a gift, we have a choice to accept it or reject it.
Yet some people make excuses such as :-
I don’t need God
People who say this mean they are quite content, but they fail to acknowledge that they have a need for the forgiveness that God offers.
If we refuse what Christ did for us then ultimately we will have to face up to paying the penalty for the wrong things we have done.
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I can’t give up everything for God
There may be something God is asking us to give up that is actually causing us harm. This may be such things as an addiction, or a relationship which is holding us back.
If you have a child and you see them doing something which could harm them , such as playing with a sharp object, you will naturally try to stop them harming themselves. You aren’t a spoilsport, but you care about the welfare of your child. In the same way God wants us to stay away from harm for our good.
Also we may feel God is asking us to give up something, but how much more do we gain. And whatever we lose , it is so little compared to Christ willingly dying on our behalf.
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I’m not good enough
That’s the whole point. None of us are good enough. But despite our faults, whatever they are, or how many, when Jesus came He made it possible for each one of us to be accepted by God just as we are. He loves us as His children.
Perhaps later
Once I’ve got a few things sorted? There are those who think that if they become a Christian there will be no more fun in life. Yet the truth is, that the longer you put things off the more you are actually missing out. And we may never get another opportunity like this.
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So what must I do?
The bible makes it clear that we have to do something to accept the gift that God offers. You must believe that He is offering this gift, and have faith to believe that He will do it.
You need to repent.
Firstly you have to admit you need God in your lives, admitting there are things wrong which need changing. Then you ask God to forgive you for those wrongs.
Give Thanks.
Thank Jesus for loving you enough to die for you, and for that free gift of forgiveness and the freedom to lead a new life.
Ask for the Holy Spirit.
Next you must invite God to take His place in your heart by his Holy Spirit.
So, by admitting your need, believing Jesus died to forgive your sin, saying thank you, and then asking God to come into your life by His Spirit in a new way, you can become a new person.
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To become a Christian,
Many have used a prayer,
like the one which follows,
Please take it slowly and thoughtfully.
Dear Lord Jesus Christ.
I am sorry for the many wrongs I have done in my life.
Please forgive me for ( if you want, you can name them )
Help me to turn my back on them.
I want to thank you that you loved me enough
to die on that cross for me,
so that I can receive forgiveness.
and to be set free to live a better life.
Thank you so much for the gifts of forgiveness and salvation.
I need you Lord and ask you to come into my heart,
with your Holy Spirit and to be with me always to guide me.
Thank you Lord, Amen.
If you have said this prayer, and really meant it. Jesus has come into your life. You have crossed a spiritual line and you will never be the same again. 18/
What comes next ?
First of all tell someone.
Just tell them that you have made changes in your life and have become a Christian.
Some will understand , and others will not be so certain, but the point is that you are making a statement about your faith.
Secondly find a Christian community
Where you feel included and welcome. We are all individuals, and there are different styles of worship, but the important thing is that you are in a community of people who also love and serve Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
If possible join a course such as Alpha which will give you a firm grounding in Christian living. There are many such courses around the country.
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Read the Bible
We develop a relationship with God as we listen and learn from the bible. Start with John’s Gospel and read a few verses each day. God will speak new truth to you.
Do pray every day.
Start with a simple prayer “ Lord I am so glad you are in my life”. That a good beginning.
Prayer should include praising God, asking for forgiveness for things you have done wrong, giving thanks for such things as food, family and friends. Finally pray for any in need – friends, family members, yourself or for wider world issues.
Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean that everything will be easy or perfect. It is a continuous process, but many others have gone along this road and are so blessed. God goes with you. He has promised to never leave you.