Trust Jesus. It’s Time.
(Post 5 of 5)

 

Cross overlooking canyon at Waimea Canyon State Park in Hawaii

When I was 8 years old, I knew enough to know that someday I would “get saved.” At the time, I didn’t know how to get saved, but I knew it involved Jesus and sacrifice. Sacrifice of time, at least. But getting saved was for later, because it was summer time and I had better things to do. 3rd grade was coming fast.

Of course, 3rd grade came and left. Then 4th grade. Then 5th. And, before I knew it, I found myself in high school with no intention to learn about Jesus. It wasn’t a priority and it would’ve never happened if God hadn't worked out the situations in my life so that I landed square in the face of the gospel and the decision to “get saved.”

 

This post offers a deeper look at Life Pursuit 4 in The Most Important Life Pursuits. Life Pursuit 4 is: Don’t delay to trust Jesus as Savior. We’ve detailed the other 3 life pursuits already. This is the final post in this series, and I write it to those who don’t yet know Jesus, and to those who do, because we Christians sometimes waiver in our trust.

  

Silhouette of a cross used as a spacer between paragraphs or thoughts

I know Jesus.

When I truly understood what Jesus did for me, I trusted Him as my Savior. I was once destined for Hell, and now I am on my way to Heaven. That’s why I call Jesus my Savior. This was 8 ½ years after I said to myself, I would get saved later when I had nothing better to do. You see, at the time, I had no idea that there is nothing better to do than to get to know Jesus. He is the best gift ever offered to anyone, and I chose to enjoy my toys, my bike, and my free time instead.

I might still be postponing my meeting with Jesus if God didn’t connect me with friends who eventually ended up in church. Before long, the friend who drove us to high school was also the friend who drove us to church. And I finally met Jesus in a high school youth group meeting. God made this happen. If He hadn't, I may have missed out on the best gift ever. This is a FOMO that truly matters.

What is God working out in your life? What situations make up your days and what comes to mind when you look back? How is God reaching into those situations to come alongside you? What friendships and connections seem to be moving you in the direction of meeting Jesus? These are not just coincidences. These are coincidences designed by God because He wants you to know Jesus. You may feel like He doesn’t care about you, but it’s because you haven’t really met Him. Jesus is waiting. Don’t let this moment pass without spilling your heart to Him. He died for all of us, not just nice people. He paid our penalty when He was crucified, but now He lives. He rose from His grave and He’s preparing our forever homes in Heaven. He wants us to be there with Him.


You may feel like Jesus doesn't care about you,
but it's because you haven't really met Him.
Jesus is waiting.

***


Maybe you’re hearing about Jesus for the first time. Maybe not. Either way, what He did for us is simple and logical and it’s because of His great love for us. Here is the good news about Jesus in a nutshell:

1.     None of us are righteous and we fall short of God’s standard (Romans3:32)

2.     Our sin, including our sinfulness, is punishable by death (Romans 6:23)

3.     God’s Son Jesus satisfied the penalty of our sins by giving His life (Romans 5:8)

4.     Jesus rose from His grave and defeated death (John11:25)

5.     Jesus is Lord of all and Lord of our lives (Romans 14:8-9)


Take time to think about each of these 5 truths. Do it now because we don’t know what tomorrow or even the next hour will bring. None of these truths require us to earn our place in Heaven. None of them. Eternal life with Jesus is an entirely free gift. Trust Him as your Savior today.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17

 

Silhouette of a cross used as a spacer between paragraphs or thoughts

 

Jesus’ story may be new for some, but it never gets old for those who know Him. When we read or consider His story, we rejoice with gratitude and praise. But I’ll be the first to admit that trusting Him every step of the way is hard to do. My heart is fickle. I’m writing now to those who already know Jesus. This post is about trusting Jesus for salvation, but salvation is just the beginning of the story. If we have truly trusted Jesus as Savior, we should naturally trust Jesus as we continue through life.


Jesus' story may be new for some,
but it never gets old for those who know Him.

***

Do we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He lived a sinless life in human flesh on earth? Do we believe that Jesus took our place on the cross and that He sacrificed His life as payment for the penalty of our sins? Do we believe that Jesus rose from His grave and that death has no power over Him? Do we believe that Jesus is coming back for us when the time is just right?

We do believe these glorious truths that speak volumes about God’s care, awareness, sovereignty, authority, faithfulness, and more. So why do we stop trusting sometimes when the more mundane issues of life or allurement knock on our heart's door? Why do we lose sight of God’s promises or presence? Is it because trusting Him in life means we let go of what we want to control or enjoy? Is it because trusting God for something good is far easier than trusting Him to take those steps into uncertainty or pain, humility or shame?

Doesn’t the God of life and deliverance know about our everyday trials and temptations?

I will let God speak for Himself on this matter:

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

19If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

God knows us – everything there is to know about us.

He knows about everything I experience and even think in my mind, but I sometimes withdraw my trust. I often fail Jesus, the Lord of all and Lord of my life. With God’s renewed mercy each morning, I am learning to trust Him more (Lamentations 3:19-24).


Trust Him with me, for salvation and for all the issues of life.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

7”But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord
whose confidence is in him.
8They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

 

 

Read the other 3 life pursuits and the intro:
Intro: The Most Important Life Pursuits
1. Do We Value Others?
2. Am I Always Right?
3. Align with God

If you have questions about Jesus, salvation, and trusting Him, please email me at authordlv@att.net. He knows us in the deepest of ways.

Read more blog posts here.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

Comments

  1. Amen. Trust Jesus. He will provide comfort and peace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. Lord, help us trust You better. Thank you for your comfort and peace.

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  2. I trust in Jesus and I pray your post reaches many people so they will learn and accept Christ as their Savior. Great post. Thanks Stephen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amen. May more and more people hear God's true gospel and trust Jesus as Savior. Thank you, Yvonne.

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  3. Stephen, this is an excellent Gospel presentation and such a great example from your life about the importance of turning to Christ from those earliest urgings of the Spirit, rather than waiting and falling further away and further into danger. I’m so glad for your friend who ended up driving all of you to church!

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    Replies
    1. I'm thankful for the path God laid out for me and especially that it included Jesus and friends that led me to Him. I'm also thankful for my early life exposure to Him through my family and church of my youth. As it all came together in youth group, trusting Jesus as my Savior was easy. I met Him without resistance or hesitation.

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  4. Surrendering our trust to Jesus can be a hard step to take, but living in that trust brings an immense amount of freedom and joy. Great post, Stephen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jessica. Surrendering is a perfect word. Trusting Jesus takes giving up alternatives and maybe things we really enjoy or want to keep.

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  5. Thank you for this clear presentation of the gospel.
    Reminds me of 2 Corinthians 6:2 -
    For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a perfect verse for this truth. I hadn't thought of it. Thank you for adding to the conversation. Now is the right time to trust Jesus.

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  6. Very clear presentation of the Gospel. Now is the time.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, now is the time for salvation. We owe it to Jesus to clearly and completely present His gospel.

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  7. Love this powerful evangelistic message and presentation of the gospel, Stephen. Like how you said, "I said to myself, I would get saved later when I had nothing better to do. You see, at the time, I had no idea that there is nothing better to do than to get to know Jesus." That's so good and true. I couldn't help but think of 2 Corinthians 6:2, For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (ESV)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Karen. There should come a point in all of our lives when we say that knowing Jesus is the best thing ever. 2 Corinthians 6:2 is such a perfect verse for this post. Thank you for adding it here. The time is now to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord if we haven't already done so.

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  8. I love this. An interesting paraphrased poetic version indeed. The Gospel of John is my scripture reading and meditation for Advent Season. Thank you for sharing Stephen. Blessings to you.

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    Replies
    1. Hi there. I believe this comment was meant for "John 1, A Rhyming Paraphrase" (https://www.stephendelavega.com/2017/12/john-1-rhyming-paraphrase.html), but somehow it ended up here. I'm so glad you enjoyed the paraphrase and I hope God blesses you and you continue studying John during this Advent Season.

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