A New Journey: Salvation
By J’nan Tierney
(Second in a series)
How can we lead fulfilling and purposeful lives? This question burdened me greatly for many years. Although I had good things in my life, and I had accomplished much, I was never satisfied or felt that my purpose had been fully realized. Finally, after recognizing God’s call to me, I turned to Him. I learned that we cannot lead truly fulfilling and purposeful lives without God. He alone created us, and He alone gives us our purpose. We need His strength, wisdom, love and guidance constantly to overcome the obstacles that lie before us. God knows this, and He wants to help us. He wants us to have a personal relationship with Him. So, how can we begin to develop a relationship with Him? We start by recognizing our sinful nature, repenting and asking for forgiveness.
Sin
What is sin? Simply put, we sin when we fall short of the standard of perfection Jesus displayed through His life on earth (Romans 3:23). No human being can achieve perfection; therefore, we are all guilty of sin. Our sins create distance between us and God. Isaiah 59:2 says, “your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”
Salvation
We all have the opportunity for salvation from our sins, and it is found through Jesus Christ. When we choose to accept Jesus as our Savior and ask for His forgiveness, we can begin to develop a relationship with God. We know this because Jesus said explicitly, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Not only are we given the most amazing gift of eternity with God, but we are also given the gift of the Holy Spirit. God’s gift of the Holy Spirit aids us on our faith journey. The Holy Spirit helps us to recognize our failings and gives us the strength and desire to follow the path set before us by God. When I asked to be filled with the Holy Spirit, I felt a change in my heart immediately. My ability to find joy, feel grateful and to love others deeply has increased tenfold. These positive effects will only continue to increase as I dedicate myself to deepening my relationship with God and abiding in His will for me.
The powerful changes that have occurred within me when I began my walk with God are undeniable, and I want the same thing for you. Are you ready to start or return to your faith journey? If you are ready but do not know where to start, follow this link for some help!
The fulfillment that you gain from the pursuit of earthly desires is fleeting, but the fulfillment you will receive from the pursuit of God is everlasting.