How to know God

You might have just read those words and thought “I already know all about God!” But before you click off this page, I’d ask that you press into that thought.

Do you truly know God?

Many people know about God but not everyone can say that they have had a life-changing encounter with God. There is a very significant difference between the two. Growing up, I attended church, heard about an “all-knowing, all-powerful” God in Heaven, and every night I routinely rattled off a list of prayers to Him.

As I got older, I found myself on various spiritual quests to “find God.” In retrospect, I was just trying to find myself. I was trying to find the meaning of life and my unique place in it. I bought books from spiritual gurus who offered me self-help exercises and fluffy mantras that focused me on a more “meaningful” direction. Each of those roads was new and interesting for a while, but all led to the same dead end. During this time of searching, I looked to things and people for happiness, but that never filled the emptiness or defined my significance if I was honest about it. I set goals in my life and worked to make my life matter by doing the right things for my parents, for my teachers and later for my employers. I tried be perfect in everything, but found that an exhausting — and impossible — task.

Something was devastatingly wrong as I began to take a true inventory of my life — I was empty and there wasn’t a person, a possession, or a profession in this life was going to fill up the hole. It wasn’t until I reached the end of myself that I was truly able to recognize what I was missing in life was an authentic and intimate relationship with my Creator. My entire life I had religion but no relationship. That startling reality brought me to a life-changing encounter with God and a commitment to Him that has dramatically transformed my life. My seeking has ended, my insatiable places filled beyond my imagination.

God desires that same gift for you.

So how do you begin a relationship with God?
First and foremost, each of us desiring a relationship with God must get back into right standing with God. If you feel as though God is a million miles from you and that it is impossible to have a real relationship with your Creator, then that may be because you have allowed sin to separate you from God. Don’t worry — you’re not alone. The Bible tells us that we have all sinned and fallen short of His Glory (Romans 3:23). Human sin separates us from a Holy God. The good news is God loves us so much that He made a way for us to be reconciled — or brought back —into communion with Him. The Bible is God’s Word — His very thoughts. His Word clearly outlines a plan for us and declares that the only way for us to restore our right standing with God is through belief in His Son, Jesus.

Receiving the gift of salvation is as easy as A-B-C.
Please hear me: God is not mad at you! He may hate your sin but He loves you completely just as you are. God has an incredible plan for your life — if you will accept it. This plan begins with salvation, which is another word for belief in Jesus.

A) Admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Not one of us walking this planet is without sin (Romans 3:10); sin is simply rebellion against God and His ways. And because we are all sinners who have strayed from God’s laws, we need a Savior to rescue us from God’s impending judgment (death). You cannot save yourself through good deeds or works. You must admit your sin and recognize your need for a Savior. Jesus Christ is that Savior. Being an admirable, kind, generous person in the eyes of your peers will not get you into Heaven. Striving for perfection in this life will not do it.

B) Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that his death on the Cross was for you. Jesus suffered and died on the Cross in your place — as a sacrifice for your sins. That day He was buried but three days later, He rose. He is the only One who can save you (John 14:6). Jesus did this so that you could be brought into a relationship with a holy God (1 Peter 3:18). Why did He do this? Because of God’s amazing love for you (John 3:16). He paid the price for your sins. To receive the gift of salvation and the assurance that you will spend eternity with God, you just have to choose to believe it. Salvation is a free gift. You cannot earn this gift; you need only to accept it wholeheartedly (Ephesians 2:8-9).

C) Confess your sins to God. You may have also heard it said that we must “repent.” Both are correct and both are necessary. To confess it means to “own up to it” while repent means to turn from or “to change direction.” You must do both. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). In other words, God will forgive you, blot out your sins (Acts 3:19), accept you, and place you in right standing with Him. You must then be willing to turn away from the things that displease God—and He will guide you and give you the strength to do just that!

If you truly want to know God, then I invite you to begin a relationship with Him today. Do not hesitate on the most critical decision of your life. A relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ is your only entry into Heaven and is the only way for you to experience true fulfillment while here on earth.

I invite you to pray this simple prayer with me from your heart.

Jesus,

I need You. I can’t do life without You. I admit that I am a sinner and I acknowledge my need for a Savior. I believe that You are the Son of God who died for my sins, rose from the dead, and are alive today. I come to You right now asking you to forgive me. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I invite You into my heart and receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for forgiving me and for giving me the gift of eternal life. Please help me daily to choose to live for You Jesus, one day at a time. Help me to become all You desire me to be from this moment forward.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, I want to hear from you! If you don’t connect with me, connect with someone immediately who you know is a follower of Christ. You just made the greatest decision of your life. The Bible says that the angels in Heaven are rejoicing over your decision this very minute. I’m rejoicing with you as well and would love to hear from you!

 

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  © 2009 Jennifer Beckham Ministries. | P.O. Box 28577 Jacksonville, FL 32226 | info@jenniferbeckham.org