Spiritual Journey

YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

What is your spiritual journey? If a friend was to say to you, "Tell me about your spiritual journey." What would you say? We all have one. Some people will talk about how they went to Sunday School or church when they were young. Their story may include how they got caught up with the wrong friends during a portion of their life, but they knew that God was always watching out for them. Some will talk about how they are not religious but they feel they are spiritual. Some may describe their spiritual journey in terms of trying to be a good person. The thing about all of us is that we all know that we need God. We also know where we stand with God. The truth is, we all have spiritual journeys. What is yours?

Let me show you a little diagram that will help you identify where you are in your spiritual journay.

FIG 1 Man is separated from God.

Notice that there is a great separation between God and man. Sin has caused this separation. Even if someone is a good person they are still separated from God, because all of us are born in sin and because of sin we are judged for death. According to God, if we fail to keep even one of God's laws we are guilty of breaking all of them. Besides that, it is impossible for man to obey the law of God. Then you may ask, why did God give us His Law then? He gave us His law to show us how messed up we really are and how incapable in living up to His holiness. That is why we are all guilty of death. That is why there are many religions in the world, man often tries to get to God, realizing their need for a holy God. The truth is we are all helplessly separated from God by our own sin.

FIG 2 Man runs from God.

Notice the little man in figure two running from God.That is a picture of all of us. The Scripture says in Romans 3:10-12, that we all have gone away from God. It declares that none are good and all have gone their own way. That means man is running from God because of his sin. The Bible also says, in Romans 3:23, that everyone has sinned and we have proven that we are incapable of living right.

In figure three you can see an arrow reaching toward man.

FIG 3 God loves mankind.

Even though we are worthy of death, God has never quit reaching out to us in love. There is a verse in the Bible (Jeremiah 31:3) that says that God loves us with an everlasing love. In John 3:16 Jesus said that God loves the world and gave His only Son to pay for our sin so that we don't have to perish. That's Love! Well, if we are separted from God through our sin and worthy of death, it is amazing to think that God loves us even all messed up.

FIG 4 God made a way.

The cross and death of Christ became our bridge to God. God made a bridge in order for man to be able to come to Him. He did this while we were running to our own destruction. The Bible says that while we were sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He made the way to Himself through the death of Jesus on the cross. The cross paid the penalty for our sins and opened the way to God. God did this as a free gift. Coming to God does not require your being good enough to be accepted. That is why the Scripture says that our way to God is not based on doing good, but upon God's mercy. It is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). We cannot even brag about being good enough for God. It is simply a gift that God gives to us because we accept Jesus' death for our sins.

FIG 5 Doing a 180.

Notice the little man in figure five, scratching his head and thinking. He is ready to turn around. Something happens that causes us to turn around. You can call it repenting or doing a 180. Sometimes people are going through hard times when they realize they need God. You may be at that place today. You realize that you need to turn from your ways and do a 180 to God. The Bible says that when we repent and turn to God our sins are wiped away and we get a new start and a new life.

FIG 6 Confess your sins.

When you confess your sins to God, He will forgive you. Notice in figure six that the little guy is kneeling down in prayer. The Bible says, in 1 John 1:9, that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and He will forgive you and make you clean. Be honest with God. Confess means to say what is true. Don't hold anything back. Tell Him everything.

FIG 7 Accept Jesus.

Take a look at the little guy in figure seven who has crossed over to God. He is excited!. He has accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The Bible tells us in John 1:12, that when you accept or receive Jesus, God gives you the power to become a son or daughter of God. That's right! You are then born into the family of God. God gives you the ability and power to live for Him. You can't do it without accepting Jesus. He is your way to Father God. Jesus is God the Son.

Your spiritual journey represents one of those four stick figures.

1) Your life represents the man running from God.
2) You may be ready to turn around toward God.
3) You may be ready to confess your sins.
4) You may be ready to fully accept Jesus as Lord.

On your spiritual journey, which of these four guys would best describe where you are today?

Many people will say they are ready to turn around. Is that you? No matter where you are, we all know where we stand with God. If I were ready to turn around, here is what I would do:

I would simply say these four things:    I NEED GOD.
                                                                  I AM A SINNER.
                                                                  I NEED FORGIVENESS.
                                                                  I FULLY ACCEPT JESUS IN MY LIFE.

Pray this prayer with me: Father God, I realize that I need you. I am a sinner. I need forgiveness. Jesus , I fully accept You into my life. I accept Your death on the cross as a sacrifice for my life. I renounce my sin and ask You to be Lord of my life.

If you prayed that prayer, congratulations!  If you are serious about your decision why not let us know and let someone help you take the next steps. We have a complete program to help you grow as a new believer. We can help you get started in Christianity 101.
                                                      (2002 Glenn Shaffer - All Rights Reserved)