God’s desire for a relationship is the basic, underlying meaning of life. We were made to know Him and be known by Him. God loves you. He created you uniquely, and there is no one else like you. You’re no accident. Sin, shame, and guilt block our way to Him and keep us from feeling His nearness. Like sheep without a shepherd, we lost our way, forgetting our purpose.

This is the reason that God sent his Son Jesus to earth: to restore a relationship that was lost. Now, we can follow Jesus, whose death allowed us to have a personal relationship with God once again. 

This is difficult for many people to understand or believe, but the fact remains: you are passionately loved by God. You were created to have a relationship with God.

When we read the narrative of Jesus in the Bible, we see the story of a Man on a mission. “For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17 ESV

This is undoubtedly the most well-known verse in the Bible, and it is also the bedrock to understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we accept the love of God into our lives, we receive much more. Jesus tells us the reason he came to earth was to give us new life. Not just any life, but an abundant life.

Jesus shares that salvation, redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life only come from one source: Jesus Christ himself. He said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6). 

In man’s pursuit to find hope and happiness, there are many other options out there. But it is Jesus, alone, who gives life and brings restoration. Not only does He offer life, but the quality of that life is also described as “Life to the full!” 

So what does a person need to do to receive this abundant life, and live with the love of God? Jesus said, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who LOOKS on the Son and BELIEVES in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:40 ESV.

We need to SEE Jesus for who he is and place our trust in him. To look upon Jesus and believe in Him means to have an experiential encounter with Jesus that you walk away from knowing something is now different. Mankind is to look to the Son, the One God has sent, and believe on Him for salvation. Those that do, scripture says, will have eternal life. This means trusting wholeheartedly in Jesus alone for eternal life. This is Good News!

When Jesus ascended back to heaven, he did not leave us alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us in our new life. He works in our life to guide, direct, and lead us into a new and right way of living. God’s spirit, through the life of Jesus, was restored to you. He is available to you as a helper, teacher, comforter, and friend. 

You have access to a true relationship with God, and in this place of intimacy, your life has a purpose. He will lead you to experience new life. All who believe in Him are called children of God. Pray to Him, and let Him lead you.

Become His follower today. Accepting Christ is a personal decision that is made between you and God. The words are yours and God knows and hears your heart. See an example prayer below:

Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for sending your Son to die for my sins. I have a past that is far from You. I turn over my sin, guilt, and shame to you today. Come into my life and become a daily father, teacher, and friend. I mark today as a turning point for my new life in You. I love you, Jesus. Amen.