Do you accept Jesus?

If you ask someone why it’s important to know Jesus what might they answer?

There are so many reasons but the most important is that what Jesus teaches is true. 

“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so 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)

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to [God] the Father except through me.” (John 14:16)

Jesus knows you. He knows the insecurity inside; the desire to be valued for who you are, not for what you own or what you’ve done or how you’re involved in the lives of others. He knows you. He loves you despite your mistakes and inadequacies, despite all the things you’ve done or used to numb the pain of living. You have nothing to prove to him. He wants to be by your side through life, helping you become the person he knows you could be. He wants to be able to spend eternity with you so much that he died to make it possible.

Will you admit you can't get it right by yourself? 

Will you accept his invitation?

Do you know Jesus?

Do you know Jesus?

How would you respond if someone asked you that?

Would you feel affronted? - It's none of your business. My faith is a private matter and nothing to do with you or anyone else.

Would you feel panicky? - I know I have to have some opinion about Jesus but I haven't worked out what that is yet. I wish you'd just leave me alone.

Would you doubt the relevance of the question? - Didn't Jesus, an obscure Israelite, die two thousand years ago after making some claims to be God which no intelligent modern-thinking person gives any time to? What does it matter whether I "know" him or not?

Or do you reply, "Of course I do. He's my Lord and Saviour; the one who makes sense of the world, who helps me become the person I was designed to be, who can rescue me from all that enslaves me, who loves me despite my mistakes and will see me safely home when I die."

"Do you know Jesus?" is one of the most important questions that every human being will face. The other is, "Have you accepted Jesus as your own Lord and Saviour? Do you acknowledge him as Son of God and the only one who can clear your way to a right relationship with God?"

In today's world we try to push the questions aside, sweep them under the carpet as irrelevences or impertinences - it's part of the lies we've been told and unfortunately, the behaviour of many of those who claim to follow Jesus has done nothing to attract others to his way.

Faith in Jesus is a very personal thing. Every single soul will have to answer the question for him or herself. It doesn't matter a jot if your parents, siblings or children have a strong faith: when you stand before God after death he will be asking you about your choices. Your relatives will face their own question - God has no grandchildren or cousins; he only has sons and daughters.

Faith in Jesus is not a private thing. Following his way should have an impact on every part of your life - thoughts, attitudes, speech and actions. The way you live should make it obvious that you unashamedly follow Jesus' way and not the world's. You should be different: not in a "holier than thou" way but in the same way that a stranger is different, living in the world but not being of it, an ambassador for a different kingdom, not a native.

When someone askes you whether you know Jesus, don't see it as a desire to convert you to gain numbers and kudos. Don't see it as an impertinence. See it as genuine concern that you will seriously consider your position regarding him while you are still breathing; while you still have time. 

God doesn't force himself upon us. He invites; he provides opportunities; he wants to shower us with good things but it is up to us whether we accept his offers or not. Once we die he respects our decision about Jesus. Live following him in this world and the next will be a glorious restoration of earth as it was before mankind's rebellion broke everything. Live rejecting Jesus and that is the decision that will be honoured after you die. The place of torment and deolation, the place far from any of the good things God has created, is a dreadful prospect, yet it is not inevitable. 

If someone askes you, "Have you accepted Jesus?" and you can't answer yes, ask them why it's such an important question and, for the love of God, listen to the answer.