You Can Know God Personally

 You only need to browse the internet to see that we are going wrong. Whether you take the mainstream media or conspiracy theorists seriously, you see a sick world around you.

What does religion have to say?

If you are an obedient religious Muslim, your virtue will outweigh your sin. Then hopefully you will escape the flames of hell after you die.

But the poor Muslims have no peace because they never know if their virtue is enough to escape hell.

What do the Hindus and Buddhists say? If you live virtuously, you will be reborn in the same ruined world after death, but you will have a better quality of life.

A Christian woman was a faithful missionary in Burma. The Buddhist women admired her Christian character very much. They said she was such a good woman that she would surely be a man in her next life.

And what does the Christian religion say? You hear different ideas. Many Christians try to regulate their lives with strict rules and fit into some church or denomination.

But Jesus was different. He came into this world as the Son of God, who had been in heaven with the Heavenly Father since eternity.

Jesus did not come just to found a new world religion. He came to undo the devastating damage we have done through sin.

There is a devil who has led us astray and ruined our lives. Jesus came to restore us.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Jn 10:10 NRSV

Who is the source of abundant life? Only God, the source of all life.

Should we therefore expect, as some Christians preach, to always enjoy prosperity, health and success, without problems, without disappointments, and without persecution?

Jesus is our role model. He was persecuted and misunderstood from an early age, but his life had a purpose and a goal. He was in close fellowship with Father God throughout his life.

He experienced many disappointments, but he also experienced marvellous success.

He gained the trust of disciples who often failed, but after the resurrection and ascension of the Lord, they were transformed by the Holy Spirit of God.

If you trust Jesus, you can also live in intimate communion with God.

And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. Jn 17:3 NRSV

Knowing God is quite different from knowing about God. God loves you and me better than the best mother or father, but we often doubt his love.

But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! Is 49:14–15 NIV

What does Jesus say to you and me today?

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NASB95