Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be truly happy? Have you wondered what your “church friends” were talking about when they said, “I’ve accepted the Lord as my Savior.” Have you ever wanted what they had, when they said, “When I die I’m going to Heaven because I have eternal life”?
Well, there once was a man named Nicodemus (he was a Pharisee and a Jewish leader). One night Nicodemus snuck out of the temple and went to visit Jesus. Nicodemus knew of Jesus’ power and His wisdom. So, Nicodemus asked Him, “How can a grown man be born again?” (John 3:4). Jesus gently and quietly answered him saying, “Humans give life to children, yet only God’s spirit can change you into a child of God” (John 3:6).
But Nicodemus still didn’t understand what Jesus was saying. Jesus said, “Only God’s spirit can give life.” He also told Nicodeums that he must have faith and believe that the Son of God had come to save him from sin and death and give him everlasting life. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
It’s the same for us. If we’re seeking for that true happiness that comes from God, we must be willing to change and give up our old way (sin) and ask Jesus to be our friend and Savior and to enter our hearts and forgive us of our sins. Only then will we know that we are one of God’s children and we will have that promise of eternal life in heaven with Jesus. He said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). —NCar Barbieri
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Invisible on November 8, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Yes, I’ve wondered what it would be like to be truly happy and was confused by neighbors, coworkers, a brothers, friends, etc., talk of “needing a savior.” I guess I’ve wanted what they had. Mostly the peace and seeming to be sure that they’d definitely make into heaven. I understand the part about having to believe that Jesus died on the cross for sin and that God won’t allow anyone into heaven unless they do. But, something still seems kind of weird and I just don’t see how it is possible or how it works I guess. It’s the thing about gods spirit living in your body. I’m sorry, it sounds pretty strange and so does the being born again thing. The other thing is that some of them that I knew before believing have significantly changed. Not in a bad way for the most part but in a way that makes you kind of curious. They say it’s god working in their life. Well, I believe Jesus died on the cross now. I’m not changing the way some of them did and I don’t have peace. I’m almost sure that I won’t make it into heaven even though I believe in Jesus.
tom felten on November 9, 2010 at 8:38 am
Continue to take these words to heart, invisible: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). It’s not whether you think you’re good enough to be saved. In fact, it’s probably good that you don’t think you are. Humility and brokenness before God are good things. But your salvation is based in what God alone has provided and your faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8).
cuddles on November 20, 2010 at 7:47 pm
I can identify with your feelings invisible some days I am so sure then others days I feel its impossible that I will get to heaven its the changing I find difficult when people agitate me I react in a shameful way and sin again and again so I never really get to be a better person and all the Christians who are happy because they can obey are enjoying life and I feel miserable. Then there are those who laugh at me for believing some of them being dear to me. I guess I didn’t think it was going to be this hard. I can relate to those who say they feel like a dinosaur for the stuff that makes people happy now doesn’t make me happy. It gets lonely but I do have a good friend who understands.