Accounts in the New Testament reveal the Good News being shared with mankind. And because Jesus conquered death through His resurrection, the Apostles now explained there is a new way to lead a God-Centered life. But the question at hand was: Why should the Jews and Gentiles desire to experience this new God-Centered life over their old established God-Centered life?
They must of had many questions about this new religious way of life.
- Would it help them understand who God is?
- Would it offer them forgiveness?
- Would it bring them more joy?
- Will they receive a more personal relationship with God?
- Or for that matter, would God even care who is the center of their lives?
Let’s see how the Bible answers these questions.
1. Believe who Jesus is.
A God-Centered life now also became a Christ-Centered life because – “I [Jesus] and the Father are one.” This statement proclaimed by Jesus is confirmed in John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word [Jesus] is the second person of the Trinity. He came in flesh to humanity to reveal His deity and become the final sacrifice between man and God. Converts believe this.
So if you want to be God-Centered: Believe who Jesus is.
2. Believe Jesus died for all sin.
God’s plan from the beginning was placing Jesus on The Cross to atone for all sin. His design also included instilling us with free will; though recognizing our humanness would lead to sinful choices. 1 John 2:1-2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Being God-Centered includes: Believe Jesus died for all sin.
3. Think and do for others.
God sent His Son to earth to be our physical example of who God is. And since Jesus walked and talked a life of righteousness, all are blessed with His example of spotless holiness. Jesus was humble, lived in perfect obedience to His Father, and continually thought of others wellbeing. Even as His physical body hung dying on The Cross, Jesus thought of others. Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
And Jesus’ offering of complete joy was tied in with our keeping His commandments. John 15:10-11 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
God-Centered lives follow Jesus’ example when we: Think and do for others.
4. Pray
Jesus was in constant prayer with the Father. He prayed: at His baptism, in the morning, in the night, before meals, before teaching, before miracles, before raising the dead, at His Transfiguration, while healing, after healing, for Himself, for others, as He hung on The Cross.
Through all situations, even situations that we know as horrible, Jesus turned to God in prayer. Prayer is personal acknowledgement that God is in control of the situation and we desire to fulfill His plan for us, whatever that may be.
To acknowledge a God-Centered life we must: Pray
5. Read the Bible
The Bible tells us God is self-sufficient and needs nothing from us. However, He did create us, designing all things for each of us, and wanting us to turn to Him in all things. His desire is having a personal relationship with each of His children.
Acts 17:25-27 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
God is not far from us. To know Him, simply ask Him into your heart. He will then initiate ways for you to learn more about Him.
And the best way to learn how to have a personal relationship with God and live a God-Centered life: Read the Bible.
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Reblogged this on Flotsam and Jetsam.
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