THE INVITATION OF JESUS

True Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with the living God. The Bible does not call men to come to a book of laws and commandments but invites them to come to a person, Jesus, God's Son. The gift of eternal life is not simply obtaining immortality but it is coming to know and be known by God the one who alone posses immortality. Jesus said:

(John 17:3) "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.

On a number of occasions Jesus emphasized the personal nature of the call that goes out to all men. Each time that He calls man to Himself the intent is to bless man in giving each person the opportunity to become complete in Him. Consider the invitation and call of Christ as recorded in scripture:

(Matthew 11:28-30) "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. {29} "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. {30} "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

All men are burdened to some degree with a load of guilt based on a knowledge of their own sin and failure. The only way to find rest from this burden is to lay it all on the back of Him who alone was willing and able to carry it all away forever. Only when the heart has trusted in the perfect and complete atonement found in and through Jesus Christ will there be rest. Once that burden has been given to Jesus one can then take His yoke upon them - a yoke that is described as easy with a load that is light. Having been forgiven of sin through faith, Jesus then calls others to begin to learn from Him how to live a life of real value and meaning. There is no demand for perfection only a call to learn and grow in and through Him. A call to learn how to live and love as God intended.

Jesus is not just calling a select few but He is calling all men to Himself. He promises that anyone who comes to Him will not be rejected. All are welcome and promised His Love.

(John 6:37) "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.

One might wonder what it is that makes the call of Christ so attractive. While Jesus promises peace, rest and abundant life the one thing above all that draws men to Himself is His love. Jesus said:

(John 12:32) "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."

THE LOVE OF GOD

When Jesus was lifted on the cross of Calvary the unfathomable love of God was demonstrated for all time and eternity. At Calvary, God out of a heart of love, gave His Son as an atonement for the sins of the world. For His part, Jesus willingly went to the cross and laid down His life so that all would have the opportunity to find forgiveness of sin through Him. In these two actions we have a powerful demonstration of the love of the Father and of His Son Jesus Christ for this world.

(Romans 5:8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

(John 15:13) "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

When a person becomes the object of God's love and the love of His Son Jesus there is security, protection, provision and blessing for time and eternity. The apostle Paul realized the value of this love and explained it in these terms:

(Romans 8:31-39) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? {32} He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? {33} Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; {34} who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. {35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} Just as it is written, "FOR THY SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." {37} But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. {38} For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, {39} nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We can overcome all things in and through this love but before we can fully experience it we must come to Jesus and invite Him into our lives as Savior and Lord. According to the word of God Jesus stands at the door of each man's heart, knocking and waiting for the invitation to come in. He promises that He will become a part of the life of those who open their hearts and lives to Him through faith. Have you come to Jesus Christ and opened the door of your heart to Him? Jesus said:

(Revelation 3:20) 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Everyone reading this is encouraged to respond to the love of God and the invitation of Jesus by opening the door of their heart by faith to a very real relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior from Sin and Lord of their life.