If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. - John 15:18
How's that for an invitationtation, follow Jesus and the world will hate you. Ready to sign up?
Religion is too complicated with all it's rules
Unfortunately, many when being presented with the gospel and invited to give their life to Christ Jesus think religion is nothing but a set of rules. They often think that it will turn friends and family against them and take all the 'fun' out of life. In that regard I would probably agree with them, 'religion' can be that. But, we're not telling them about a religion, we're telling them about the greatest 'relationship' they could ever imagine. And frankly, a relationship most people are desperately seeking.
When presenting the gospel to someone, the primary focus is typically on falling short, not being perfect i.e. being sinners, and needing to trust in Jesus to be saved from those imperfections, failures, sins so that we can spend eternity in heaven with Christ. That's all true.
The Rest of The Story
However, we often stop at salvation and forget to tell them about the rest of the story, namely the amazing relationship that follows that decision. A relationship that comforts, brings joy, brings peace when nothing else can. And, a relationship that is permanent and unconditional.
I [Jesus] will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” - Hebrews 13:5b,6
I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Proverbs 18:1,2
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord - Romans 8:38,39
Two Rules
And what is so amazing about that relationship, is that it is so simple. Just two acts on our part that set the foundation for all the other wonderful things that follow a decision to live for Christ Jesus:
But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:34-40
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. - Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
Pretty simple, 1) love God and 2) love your neighbors. If we can get just those two correct everything else will fall into place. I will confess the second one is probably the more difficult one.
Just to be clear
I want to be certain you didn't misunderstand me. I didn't say everything will be easy and everyone will love you back, they won't. Some people will hate you and you will sometimes have negative consequences and troubles. The difference is that you will not face those alone. Jesus can and will give you strength and peace and encouragement as you walk through those times in ways you can't even imagine. Just always remember, he loves you unconditionally and he will never leave you...period.
For more on loving God an loving your neighbor, download my free ebook, The Greatest Commandment, A Personal Journey That Changed Everything. Also available by clicking on the scrolling banner at the top of this page.
