Didn't Work
Have you tried being a Christian but found that it didn't work? Have you gone through the religion process with expectations of the power of God only to find nothing changed? Maybe there was a false start.
What does the Bible say about how we start with Jesus? -
- Not persisting - 1John 2v19-20
- Covenant Relationship - Jeremiah 31v31-34
- Repent and believe - Mark 1v15
- Commitment - Romans 10v9-11
Not persisting
1 John 2:19-20
These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.
But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How does a person demonstrate that they do not belong to God?
- What part does God have in someone demonstrating this?
Thoughts to consider
There are people who think they are a Christian but God knows otherwise. God will bring challenges to such a person to expose reality. God does not want to meet that person in heaven and have to tell them, "I never knew you!"
Covenant Relationship
Jeremiah 31:31-34
“The day is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the LORD.
“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the LORD. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What are the characteristics of the covenant relationship we have with God?
- What is the relational aspect of this covenant relationship with God?
Thoughts to consider
Jesus introduced a covenant relationship between ourselves and God. Jeremiah had prophesied this 600 years earlier. Marriage is an example of a covenant relationship. Both parties need to willingly say, "I DO!" If there has been no sense of God being there, it might be that there never was an I Do moment. - The next passages explore that possibility.
Repent and believe
Mark 1:15
“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What are the two commitments that make up the I DO of entering the covenant relationship?
- What does repent mean?
- What does it mean to believe the good news?
Thoughts to consider
To repent and believe is to turn from all the things that I thought would bring fulfilment or security or ... and turn my focus on Jesus asking him alone to be the source of life. In this I trust Jesus for all the needs and fulfilments of life.
Commitment
Romans 10:9-11
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- Why is an open declaration a significant step in a covenant relationship such as in a marriage?
- Why is believing in the heart or faith a significant foundation for a covenant relationship?
Thoughts to consider
Those who have not openly declared leave the option open to explore other avenues. Those who have not believed in their heart will never really trust when things become challenging or when some other opportunity arises. The covenant requires a whole hearted commitment. This is what the Lord is looking for when he gives his I Do!
Overview question for reflection or discussion
- Consider each of the elements in this page. Is there some part that was missing when you made a commitment to Jesus?
Thoughts to consider
If you can see an element that was missing, then find a mature Christian friend and go through this with them. Ask them to help you go through what it means to be a Christian and ask them to help you pray to God in a way where you fulfil the I DO. Jesus is very clear that he will receive anyone who comes to him appropriately.
