17/02/2024
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 be saved
