The Gateway to Encountering God

All kinds of people in all kinds of cultures over thousands of years have come to the humbling conclusion that there really is a God who made us, who loves us, and who we can know right now. But we can't experience God on our own terms just as we can't truly experience another person on our own terms...we don't get to make up the God we want, but we can encounter the God who is. his God, the !ord of "eaven and #arth, is a disturbing God. #ncountering this God will not leave you unchanged. Christianity is about a way of living life in relationship with God. !ike any relationship it includes believing and doing. $ believe certain things about the people $ love. he more accurate my perception of them, the better $ am able to know them and love them. But real love is not just belief or empty words % it also involves action & doing real acts of love. 'o what $ believe and what $ do really matters. (ould it be that just as there are physical principles )like the law of gravity* that govern the physical universe, so too there are basic spiritual principles which were meant to govern my soul+ ,hat if there was a path waiting for me, a path not of my own making, but made by the -ne who made me+. Here are some stepping stones on the way to growing in a relationship with God. hese steps are part of an ancient path & they are the essentials of what (hristians have believed, across different centuries, cultures, denominations, and languages. hey form (hristianity /0/. hink of them as a series of doorways to step through. $f you can embrace the first principle, then you are ready to step through the door to the next principle.

STEP 1
God loves me and !nows me by name
But if that is true, ,hy is it that most people are not experiencing this relationship with God+ Christians believe that there is more to reality than "ust the material world. #magine light from outside brea!ing into these $not so perfect$ lives of ours... God cares about you as a person. "e created you in "is own image. 1ou are priceless in "is eyes. "e put you here for a purpose. Because of this, there is a greater meaning and purpose for our lives than what we can conjure up for ourselves. The %ible puts it this way2

God$s &ove 3God so loved the world that "e gave "is -ne and only 'on, that whoever believes in "im shall not perish, but have eternal life3 )4ohn 52/6*. God$s Plan 7(hrist speaking8 3$ came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly3 7that it might be full and meaningful8 )4ohn /02/0*.

STEP '
But if that is true, "ow can this gulf be bridged+ (ost of us have had times when our heart seemed as cold as stone...

# feel cut off from God

)ou and # are separated from God

9ost of us have been harmed in some way by others. But when we are brutally honest with ourselves we see hurtful ways in ourselves too. he wrong things we do separate us from God somewhat like the way we feel distant from another person when we are estranged from them. he Bible calls the wrong things we do 3sin3. o sin means to miss the mark. ,e have done things which we shouldn't have done, and we failed to do things we should have done. Because we are cut off from God, we cannot know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.

# do wrong things 3All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God3 ):omans 52;5*. #veryone was created to have fellowship with God< but, because of my stubborn self&will, $ chose to go my own independent way, and fellowship with God was broken. his self&will, characteri=ed by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is an evidence of what the Bible calls sin. # am separated from God
3 he wages of sin is death3 7spiritual separation from God8 ):omans 62;5*. $ may not like the word 'sin', but the truth is $ feel separated from God. And there are days when $ feel like my heart is made of stone...

his diagram illustrates that God is holy and we are sinful. A great gulf separates us from God. he arrows illustrate that we are continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through our own efforts, such as a good life, philosophy, or religion & but we inevitably fail. $t's like we are all trying to jump across the Grand (anyon. 'ome leap much further than others, but it is still just a tiny fraction of the total distance to the other shore. All the world's religions lay out a pretty basic moral code2 "elp the poor, >on't lie, Be kind to others, >on't have sex with another person's spouse, etc. 'o the religions are good at identifying the problem... but how are we doing in solving the problem+ :eligion doesn't seem to be able to give the strength and wisdom needed to actually live out the moral laws it gives us. $f $ am not strong or good enough to reach God from my side & how can $ encounter God+ -nly if God reaches down to me from "is side...

STEP *
But if that is true, hen why am $ still separated from God+ ,hat if it was not so much about me figuring out God- as it was that God is reaching out to me.

+esus came to restore our relationships with God

+esus Christ is God$s provision for my sin and separation.

(hristians believe that God entered into "uman "istory so that "e could speak and act in a way that we could understand. "e came as a baby and was born in a rough wooden shed to

a poor young girl. "e shared the human experience with us. "is name is 4esus (hrist. hrough "im $ can know and experience God's love and plan for my life. :eligions try to reach up to God, but 4esus is God stooping down to us. $ can't know God on my terms, $ can only choose to know God on God's terms. 4esus did what was necessary to restore my relationship with God.

+esus /ied in my Place 3God demonstrates "is own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, (hrist died for us3 ):omans ?2@*. +esus 0ose 1rom the /ead 3(hrist died for our sins..."e was buried..."e was raised on the third day, according to the 'criptures..."e appeared to Aeter, then to the twelve. After that "e appeared to more than five hundred...3 )/ (orinthians /?25&6*. He #s the 2nly ,ay to God 34esus said to him, '$ am the way, and the truth, and the life< no one comes to the Bather, but through 9e'3 )4ohn /C26*.

his diagram illustrates that God has bridged the gulf which separates us from "im by sending "is 'on, 4esus (hrist, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins. $magine a 4udge who finds me guilty of some crime. $ also happen to be homeless. $nstead of sending me to jail, he steps down, pays the fine for me and then takes me into his own home to live with him. hat is what God did for me in the life, death, and resurrection of 4esus (hrist. #t is not enough "ust to !now these three principles...

STEP 3
,e must each individually receive +esus Christ
But how do $ do that+ ,hat if God has been !noc!ing on my door all this time- waiting for me to open up and let Him into my life. (hristianity is deeply about community. But it is community built upon a particular conviction. $t is made up of individuals who have personally decided to follow 4esus & regardless of what nation or denomination or church they belong to. ,e have a deeper relationship with each other because each of us has a relationship with God. $ must be willing to make 4esus my 'avior and !ord< then $ can know and experience God's love and leading in my life. Any meaningful relationship reDuires that both people commit to the

other. God is already committed to you, but you have to decide if you are willing to be committed to God. $ can't be good enough to win God's love & God already loves me. he Duestion is % will $ love God back+

,e (ust 0eceive Christ $magine someone is standing at your door. 1ou have to decide whether you are willing to receive them & that is, are you willing to let them come into your home. he ancient (hristian scriptures say2 3As many as received 4esus, to them "e gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in "is name3 )4ohn /2/;* ,e 0eceive Christ Through 1aith Baith means trusting the other person, like when $ say 3$ am putting my faith in you.3 $f you are rock climbing you need to have faith in the person holding the other end of the rope. 1ou won't be willing to jump unless you really trust that the other person has the strength, the wisdom, and the character to save you. he ancient (hristian scriptures say2 3By grace you have been saved through faith< and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God< not as a result of works, that no one should boast3 )#phesians ;2@,E*. ,e 0eceive Christ by Personal #nvitation ,e have to choose if we trust the person at the door enough to let them in to our homes. ,e have to decide if we trust 4esus enough to let "im into our hearts. $n the ancient (hristian scriptures 4esus says2 3Behold, $ stand at the door and knock< if any one hears 9y voice and opens the door, $ will come in to him3 ):evelation 52;0*.
-F, the diagrams above are a little retro, but here's the idea2 he two circles above represent two kinds of lives... ,hich circle best describes your life+ ,hich circle would you li!e to have represent your life.

The self4directed life. Self is on the throne. #nterest are directed by self- resulting in discord- frustration. Christ is outside the life.

Christ4directed life. Christ is on the throne. Self is yielding to Christ. #nterests are directed by Christ- resulting in harmony with God5s plan.

STEP 6
# can have a new relationship with God right now
Gow ,hat+ # can ma!e this the day # give my life to God$s !eeping ...

)ou can change your relationship with God by receiving +esus Christ by 1aith Through Prayer ...
)Arayer is talking to God* The word 7gospel7 means $good news8$ he good news is that $ don't have to earn my way to heaven. $ don't have to be good enough to live a (hristian life to be a (hristian. he truth is, $ couldn't measure up even if $ tried. he new life that 4esus offers )starting right now and stretching out to eternity* is a free gift that the God who loves me offers to me like a (hristmas package waiting to be opened. he gift 4esus offers is new life, so the key Duestion is are you at a point where you are willing to trust 4esus with your life+ $n other words, are you at a point where you feel ready to ask 4esus to be both your !ord and your 'avior+ his is risky stuff. !et's unpack it. o accept 4esus as your 'avior means you are trusting "im to save you from the disease of your sin as you would trust a doctor to save you from a physical disease. o accept 4esus as your !ord means you are willing to make "im the Fing of your life & the leader you are willing to follow & regardless of where "e leads you. "e is like the ultimate coach who will take you where you need to go even if it is uncomfortable. $f you feel you don't know enough about this 4esus to make such a radical decision, there are two things you can do to find out if "e is worth such a commitment. Birst, get a hold of a Bible and read the gospels )9atthew, 9ark, !uke, or 4ohn* to get to know more about "im. 'econd, find a good church in your area that feels like home to you. Get to know people who claim to know "im and see what you can find out.

$t is good to explore things carefully, but of course, the truth is, a person never has enough information to make this choice safely. $t is as if someone who loves you is asking you to jump to them from a burning house and you have to decide if you trust them enough to do it... but you won't know if you made the right decision until after you jump. $f you are willing to leap and trust 4esus as your !ord and 'avior you can begin this new relationship right now by praying. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as "e is with the attitude of your heart.

The following is a possible prayer9 +esus- # need )ou. # want you in my life. hank 1ou for dying on the cross for my sins. :ight here, right now, $ open the door of my life to you and $ ask you to come in. :ight here, right now, $ claim 1ou as my 'avior and !ord. Alease take control of the throne of my life. $ give it to 1ou. 9ake me the kind of person $ was always meant to be. Alease show me how to live this new life, and give me the strength to follow 1ou. hank 1ou for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. :men.
>oes this prayer express the desire of your heart+ $f it does, $ invite you to pray this prayer right now, out loud, to 4esus.

STEP ;
# can begin to live li!e a follower of +esus
'ome people begin the journey by trying to live the way 4esus did. -thers begin the journey by trusting 4esus as their !ord and 'avior & believing that "e is who "e said "e was. he key is to reali=e we can't earn the new life 4esus offers & we can only accept it from "im with a thankful heart. But in the end, we most both >- and B#!$#H# to know the full life that 4esus came to give us. his includes2

&earning more about +esus through reading the %ible for yourself )start with the chapters entitled 9atthew, 9ark, !uke and 4ohn* A great book to help you learn about the faith is 3(hristian Basics & An $nvitation to >iscipleship3 by 4ohn 'tott. 3-h God... 1our word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 3 )Asalm //E2/0?* Helping and loving those around you 4 especially the poor 3...feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, visit the prisoner...3 & 4esus )9atthew ;?25?* Spending time worshipping God I 3,orship the !-:> with reverence...and rejoice with trembling.3 )Asalm ;2 //* I 3'ing to "im a new song< play skillfully, and shout for joy.3 )Asalm 552;* -ften you can turn to the book of Asalms in the Bible and find verses that you can turn into your own personal prayers to God. 'pending time worshipping God changes us in ways we can't imagine. Ancient 'piritual >isciplines can be very helpful in worshiping God. Getting connected to a local Christian church. God never intended for us to try the (hristian life alone. (hristianity is about traveling through life with fellow believers. 1ou need to do the risky business of trying to find a church that you can call home. I 3...!et us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another< and all the more as you see the day drawing near.3 )"ebrews /02;C&;?*

&iving a (oral &ife ,hat we do with our bodies really matters. "ow we treat others really matters. he choices we make in this physical world totally effect our spiritual health and growth. 'ome things you can't know until you experience them. Bor example, there is a peace and joy an alcoholic will never know until they walk away from alcohol. $t is the same with many other issues in life. God gave us the /0 commandments not the /0 suggestions & because "e knew that some choices lead to spiritual death. God gave us rules not to take away our joy but to increase it. Bor many people the most important step they can take in their relationship with God, the thing that opens up doors and changes everything is the decision that they have to change the way they have been living & make a change in their moral behaviour & and that they will have to depend totally on God for the strength to do it. ,e all have to stand at the crossroads and decide2 3,ho am $ going to be+3 I 3...9y soul is weary with sorrow< strengthen me according to your word. Feep me from deceitful ways< be gracious to me through your law. $ have chosen the way of truth< $ have set my heart on your laws. $ hold fast to your statutes, - !-:>< do not let me be put to shame. $ run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.3 )Asalm //E2;@& 5;* Trusting in God$s love and power I 3$ know in whom $ have believed, and am convinced that "e is able to guard what $ have entrusted to "im for that day.3 );nd imothy /2/;* I 3Go eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love "im...3 )/st (orinthians E* I 3Bor the word of the !-:> is right and true< "e is faithful in all "e does. he !-:> loves righteousness and justice< the earth is full of "is unfailing love. By the word of the !-:> were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of "is mouth.3 )Asalm 552C* I 3Gow to "im who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before "is glorious presence without fault and with great joy&& to the only God our 'avior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through 4esus (hrist our !ord, before all ages, now and forevermore. Amen.3 )4ude /2;C*
,hich of the si< habits listed above do you thin! are the ones you most need to grow in. ,hat steps can you ta!e to grow in that area.