You know that deep-seated longing to be known, loved, and accepted?  All of us have. It’s what makes us human. These very human feelings actually originate from God. It's how He designed us.

 We were made to know God and be known by Him. He created you uniquely.  But sin blocks our way to Him and keeps us from feeling His nearness. Sin is the reason God sent Jesus to earth. Who is Jesus? He is the Son of God, and he restores a relationship that was lost. When we follow the example of Jesus, we can have a personal relationship with God once again.

To understand how to begin a relationship, consider these four words:

• Loved
• Life
• Look
• Lead

If you ask yourself, “does God love me?” the answer is YES! You are passionately loved by God and were created to have a relationship with Him. When we read the narrative of Jesus in the Bible, we see the story of a man on a mission, because Adam’s sin brought immediate separation from God.

But the moment God confronts Adam and Eve about their sin, He also shares His plan to make things better. Such an immediate response was out of love. And the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, is all about love!

“For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17 (ESV)

This is undoubtedly the most well-known verse in the Bible. And while it may be a familiar passage, it is also the bedrock of understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When we accept the love of God into our lives, we receive much more. The reason Jesus came to earth was to give us new life. Not just any life, but an abundant life.

Who is Jesus, and how does He give us this abundant life? Jesus shares that salvation, redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life only come from one source: Himself. He said this to His disciple Thomas, ‘I am the way and the truth and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6).

In our pursuit to find hope and happiness, there are many other options out there, but Jesus calls all of these thieves and robbers. ALL other ways lead to loss, death, and destruction. It is Jesus, alone, who gives life and brings restoration. 

What does a person need to do to receive this abundant life and live with the love of God? Jesus was asked the same thing by a group of his followers.

Jesus told them:
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who LOOKS on the Son and BELIEVES in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:40

We need to SEE Jesus for who he is. We need to look upon Him and believe in Him. Those who do, scripture says, will have eternal life. This is Good News!

When Jesus ascended back to heaven, He didn't leave us alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us.

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment… But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will (lead) guide you into all the truth."  John 16:7-8,13 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit works to guide, direct and lead us into a new and right way of living. The Holy Spirit is also called our Helper, our Advocate, and our Comforter. Listen to His voice as you navigate your new life. This is another demonstration of God’s love for us. God so loved the world that He gave Jesus to give us life, and He gave the Holy Spirit to guide us.

When you discover who Jesus is and follow Him, you no longer have to wonder, “does God love me and forgive me?” You have a new life filled with the peace and joy that comes from following Christ!

To learn more about what it means to walk daily with Christ, plan a visit to Calvary Church of Naperville or sign up for a Growth Track Class!