Spiritual Life Insurance
This page is designed to encourage you toward personal faith in Jesus Christ, and is not intended to offend anyone of a different faith. In my business I am happy to serve folks of all faiths, creeds, and lifestyles.
I also want to disclose that I am sharing my personal views here, not the view of any insurance company I represent. This page is not short because the topic is so important and consequential. This page meanders from topic to topic with some repetition, but lands in the end.
Soul insurance
I know, how ridiculous! I mean, who can insure the soul? When we step back to consider what insurance is we recognize there are risks in life that we cannot afford to take. So we study the options, and put our faith and money in the insurance company we determine to be trustworthy to insure our life at the cost we feel we can afford.
If we're honest there's a lot of faith we put in our insurance carriers. We never go visit the home office to make sure they are there, nor read the actual policy from cover to cover, nor understand all of the plan limitations and exclusions as we should. We still choose to make application in faith.
We pay our premium 'in good faith' that the company will honor their promises made should we have a claim. We learn the companies track record, read reviews, and choose to place our trust in them.
'Faith' placed in an insurance company usually isn't a blind faith.
There are are swindlers who sell bogus policies for companies that never existed. But most of us buy in faith, based on the reputation of the company, its history, claims-paying experience, and from the personal testimony of others we know who have tried the insurance or had a claim.
We are always offered a policy contract to study so that we can understand what the company is offering, what we can expect to receive in return, and what our obligations are under the contract. Track with me as I apply this logic to spiritual matters regarding a faith in Jesus.
FEELINGS DO NOT DEFINE FACT NOR TRUTH
Our feeling a policy provision is true never makes it true.
Even if we think it should be true, truth as related to insurance contracts is more objective than subjective, and not really subject to personal interpretation in the end.
Although the company representatives do make false claims at times, with insurance it comes down to the policy contract terms. When the big claim comes, pleading ignorance will not work, nor blaming the representative for misleading us.
The company will ask, did you read your insurance policy for yourself?
(Stay with me) If we are offered the contract to read and chose not to so, we will suffer the consequences, sometimes to our financial ruin. If this is true of an insurance contract, how much more does the parallel apply to the Creator of the Universe and our relationship with Him?
The story of Christianity claims that the Bible is God's "contract" with humanity. It was written by human hands, but reflects the communication between an eternal God and us humans that God purposefully created.
By contrast, a relationship with God is relational, not transactional like an insurance contract. John summed up Jesus teachings like this: "And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (Jesus). Whoever has the Son has life, whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life". (See I John 5:11-12)
Instead of the word contract, the Bible uses the term covenant to describe God's contract with the humans he created. In ancient days a covenant was a binding agreement made between 2 parties. The Bible begins by tracing a covenant God made with the first humans--Adam and Eve, then with their descendants-- Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who was later renamed Israel by God.
As you continue the biblical story God made a righteous covenant of Law with Jacob's offspring through Moses in the Old Testament, revealing the perfection of God and the need of all people for a Savior. Sin and disobedience in our heart is the fatal flaw that separates God from his creation. The Law of Moses was perfect but impossible for us fatally flawed humans to follow and find peace with God. A lasting forgiveness of sin was not possible and a better solution was needed.
Then the really Good News in the New Testament is hinted to at the football game in the John 3:16-17 paperboard:. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him would not perish but have life eternal. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world may be saved through him".
Many of Jesus teachings were in parable stories, difficult for some to understand. Some of his teachings like John 3:16 are clear to the reader and listener of his day and ours. God sees us as we are, with all of our flaws, but sent his own son Jesus to reveal a new contract of Grace and truth with all humanity. Or, as Jesus himself said in Luke 19:10 "The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost".
This is a kind of God that people can really fall in love with. The kind of God that really knows all of my flaws and loves me. A friendship willing to sacrifice the ultimate price for me. That is a God I would follow. That is a God capable of captivating the heart and mind.
Gospel means Good News. Really is the best news anyone could hear. The bible teaches that Jesus is alive today. He knows you, loves you, is constantly praying for you, and has a plan for you in this life and the next. He wants to have a relationship with you in this life, so that you can know and live with him in the next. It's a tragic error to think that faith is only intended to be a life raft to get you to Heaven once you die.
BLIND FAITH OR NOT?
Fortunately, we live in a time were the biblical contract can be carefully studied like never before. We can walk today where Jesus actually lived and taught. We can read and study the four different first-hand accounts of Jesus life, written by men not trying to create a religion, but testifying as to what they witnessed first-hand.
Historically, we know that at least 10 of the 12 original disciples of Jesus were killed for their faith. Some say these men were just trying to create a new religion, but history tells us they suffered and died for what they had witnessed first hand-the death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ--that was their living hope.
Author Josh McDowell in his book "Evidence that demands a verdict" concluded as he weighed Jesus life and teachings that Jesus can only be one of 3 things; A Liar, a Lunatic, or Lord. There is no room for him to just be seen as a misunderstood man or 'good teacher' or moralist, as many dismiss him to be today.
Ignorance is not bliss and can be fatal.
The Bible speaks about how everyone has some sense of the existence of God.
Romans 1:20 states: For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
The biblical author Paul was actually a religious leader who vowed to persecute or kill all who promoted Jesus. He at first thought that Jesus was a fraud and danger to his Jewish faith. It wasn't until he had a personal encounter with Jesus that his heart was changed. Jesus physically blinded him for a time. In this blindness he realized that he was actually spiritual blind. Can you relate to this? If you are not captivated with Jesus perhaps you have not seen Him yet for who he really is.
Jesus had great plans for Paul and would use him to write half of the New Testament and spread Christianity around the Roman Empire. Can you dare to believe that God may see you as well and show up in your life? He seemed drawn in life to the weak, and spiritually blind, and physically needy.
YOU ARE AMAZING
At the smallest level, science tells us there are and estimated 100 trillion atoms in a single human cell. Each atom is in motion. If the Christian God is the creator of every atom and keeps everything in motion, consider how infinite He must be? How much faith would it take to believe we really evolved over billions of years without an Intelligent designer? We can't see within ourself how amazing we are. Walking miracles. My Dad lived with 1/2 of the blood to his brain 100% blocked. God designed us with a duplicated blood source to feed our brains. 2 kidneys, 2 lungs...and one heart. What would it take to see yourself as a miracle, not a creation by chance?
CONSIDER OUR SOLAR SYSTEM!
Science tells us that if earth was closer to the sun we would be fried. Farther away and we would freeze. If it did not spin life would only be sustainable on a tiny part of the earth. The bible told the ancients in Genesis 1 that the earth was formless and void and by design God made the world sustainable. He created by design our continents, waters, and spun the earth so that we would experience day and night (yeah, read Gen 1:14-19 plainly and you will see God spun the earth so we experience day and night). It was not just cosmic good luck that most of our earth can sustain life.
However, we are not left to understand God by creation alone.
The only way to understand an infinite God is if that God decides to reveal himself to us: A God who can design everything we see and set in place the Universe is so far beyond us that communication would seem impossible without his using our words to share his heart with us: We need a revelation we can trust.
Paul's experience was not unique. Most people misunderstand Jesus today until they seek Him out for themselves and come to a personal encounter with the living God.
We can meet and experience God's presence, love, power, plan and invitation to eternal life by seeking him out through the Word of God. Jesus offers forgiveness of sins to anyone who asks. God left his own Holy Spirit in this world to draw us to himself. Part of the Spirit's work is to reveal God to us when we read the Bible, and helps us to hear his voice and love through the 1 billion other followers of Jesus around the world. Becoming a Christian is joining an international family.
So, you read all this and maybe say, "Wow, Dan really seems to believe in Jesus and maybe I shouldn't chance my eternity to my own understanding of God." How can I learn more about this Jesus?
You can just start to read the Bible for yourself. I suggest you start reading the book of John to learn about Jesus teachings, then the book of Matthew or Luke to read another account of his life and teaching. The book of Psalms can be meditated on to teach your heart to worship, to pray, and to understand the heart of God.
Many Christians stress a 'personal relationship with God' because that is what God intended for it to be from the beginning of creation. At the beginning of Genesis we see God, in some literal sense, walking in the Garden of Eden with Adam. Not sure what that looked like as God is Spirit, but the point is there was a closeness and proximity that God created. That restored closeness is His intent for us. At the end of the book in Revelation we see God again literally living with humanity again--not in a garden, but in a massive garden city described as 'a new heaven and earth' (See Revelation chapter 23).
God's intent in Jesus was to make a way for us to walk closely with God again, by dealing once and for all with the sin problem that separates humanity from God. Sin creates a chasm between a sinful man and a holy God, therefore dealing with sin was why Jesus came to earth. Having walked with God for over 40 years I don't always feel close to God, but I suspect the problem is a Dan problem, not a God one.
You can read John 3:16-17 intellectually where Jesus said about himself these famous words: 16“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him".
You could read and believe these words with your head and not be changed: It has to penetrate the heart and be combined with faith. What the apostle John recorded in Jesus words is either true or not.
Millions of Christians for 20 centuries have had their lives and hearts changed by believing that these words apply literally today to them.
THE CHURCH IS NOT BUILDINGS AND DENOMINATIONS, IT IS PEOPLE THAT MAKE UP THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Christianity is an international group of Jesus followers and has many looks. It is not an exclusive American religion, or for white people only, or for certain ethnic groups alone. Jesus came by his own admission first to his own people the Jews, then extended his message and blessing to all the people of the world.
PEOPLE DON'T PUT FAITH IN CONTRACTS, THEY PUT FAITH IN PEOPLE.
That God could love me enough to reach out to save me is remarkable. I am amazed that Jesus isn't judging me for my sin an rebellion but offering eternal life, forgiveness, restoration, and a loving eternal relationship through simple faith.
In the Life of Jesus, God personally introduced a part of himself in the form of a man, born in time and history. Jesus came in humility and used the title 'Son of Man, and the Son of God' among others. He was amazingly, surprisingly controversial in his day by befriending and honoring women, strangers, foreigners, the weak and sick the outcasts, and called the lower caste to be his followers. God is no respecter of worldly gain.
His goal was to reveal a kingdom where all of us could find grace and mercy aside from our personal worthiness. And why? Because compared with our Creator we all fall short and are in need of restoration: We all need saving from sin that leads to both a spiritual and physical death. But maybe restoration is a poor way to put it. We were dying of a spiritual cancer and needed a cure that only God can supply.
During Jesus short 3 years of active ministry, he backed up his Kingdom message and witnessed acts of raising the dead to life, healing the sick, and showing that he is above even natural laws (through miracles and signs).
He died, and 3 days later rose from the grave, showing victory over death itself. This was a witnessed event in time and space. He indisputably was who he claimed to be. Not a gifted man, or good teacher, but the Son of God as he claimed.
Jesus victory over death offers enormous hope to anyone who put faith in Jesus. Through Jesus we too hope to someday rise from the dead, to an eternal life with God.
Those that trust Jesus Christ as savior hold a spiritual life assurance policy: And the Bible is God's contract with humanity free to all.
God wrote the eternal life contract in his Word. He proved he can settle the claim through the death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross, and paid the monthly premiums as we are bankrupt. The cost on our end is simple acceptance of his gift-simple belief. We cannot earn it through payment or good works, we do not deserve it. The analogy is correct even in earthly terms. We can choose not to accept a generous and undeserved gift. But how foolish!
Think of it from an earthly perspective: Let's say you had a terminal heart condition and would die without a new heart. Let's say the only compatible heart in the entire world belonged to my only son Joe, and he wanted you to have it as a gift.
Now let's say I approached Joe to give up his life on earth for yours to save you and he agreed, choosing to give his life for yours. That would be heartbreaking for me, but amazing beyond words for you.
The catch is, you would need to accept Joe's sacrifice to save your life and humbly allow the heart transfer to proceed.
The real heartbreak of Christianity is the fact that Jesus died for the world, but most in the world cares little for what he did for them. They sees no relevance for their lives as they live it. Jesus even in his teachings wrote that some would accept his words and others would not. How about you today?
Many religions have added that we can somehow earn this great gift, or that our good works somehow give us a credit or favor with God. If I truly had sacrificed my son Joe for your sake, think how insulting it would be for me for you to try to somehow pay me for this sacrifice since I had offered it as a free gift?
There is no repayment or service great enough for such a sacrifice. The bible teaches that God's requirement to be saved today is for us to humbly accept the great gift being offered to us and put faith in God's son Jesus for life eternal.
Paul in one encounter while being unjustly jailed was asked by his jailer "What must I do to be saved?" Paul replied, "Believe on the Lord and you will be saved". (ref: Acts 16:31) Salvation is reduced to simple faith in the end. Jesus often taught "Believe in me" as the path to salvation.
Paul came to this simple understanding when he understood God's great sacrifice for Him in Christ on the cross. Will you as well?
The apostle Paul echoed a similar sentiment about God's offer: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved". (see Romans 10:9). Read the book of John and note how many times Jesus calls the people to put faith in him not just to solve the problem of eternity, but to offer life, hope, faith and power to live in our world today.
Many people have never read the Bible to encounter Jesus personally. I invite you to a life changing experience that can change your heart forever. It sure did mine.
An excellent starting place is the book of John in the new Testament. John was a close associate of Jesus who lived and first-hand experience all of his teachings and miracles. History shares that he was at the foot of the Cross when Jesus died, and he first-hand encountered the risen Savior.
If you want a good depiction of what Jesus may have been like, watch the current series called 'The Chosen', based on the events of Jesus calling his original followers to faith. You can download "The Chosen" app on your phone, or watch the episodes on Youtube.com. For a good example of a church that points people to Jesus, watch a few services at St. Aldates Church in Oxford, England. They have a youtube channel. Better yet, start attending a bible-teaching church in your own community. There is no perfect Church, but find one that points people to Jesus, not just practices religion.
For sure the Bible can be really hard to understand. To better understand the books of the Bible as you read them, simple overviews of any book can be found at http://www.thebibleproject.com The Bible project has created short, concise, 6-8 minute video outlining and illustrating each book of the bible, so that you as a reader can better understand what is going on. On http://youtube.com search 'Bible Project book of John' as an example.
Coming into a personal relationship with God allows us to experience the very presence of God, which matures as a person grows in faith. If you just met your earthly father it would take no faith to believe he exists. However, to really come to know his heart, history and mind, you would need to spend time with him. Over time and experience you will learn new things about him, and with anyone who unconditionally loves you, you change for the good.
We can experience God by reading his 'Word', the Bible, spending time with other 'family members' in the church, and through prayer. He called us to be his followers, and to try to imitate the things he did while walking this earth: to live in simplicity, to love and show mercy to others, to share his grace and truth with the World as I'm aiming to do on this web page.
As we grow to know our heavenly father more personally his love changes us: our outlook, our priorities, our character, and how we interact with others are all affected for the good. We can be freed from anxiety, and worry, addictions, and fear that can smother us. You know what I'm talking about if you know Jesus. Not that a Christian doesn't encounter all of these life troubles, but God's love can help us overcome the fear that can paralyze.
It's the most important thing I could ever pen on this website.
I have to talk about these, and need to risk offending a few prospective clients who may be offended by my talking about Jesus. Jesus can be offensive: He challenges the notion that we can rule over our own lives better than following the guidance of our Creator. His teachings confront our sinfulness and rebellion and inner darkness.
Jesus gently call us to look up...come into the light (repent), and ask for forgiveness. Season 2 of The Chosen has a wonderful episode where Mary is ashamed of her life and Jesus forgives her and calls her back.
What could be more important?
We extend faith to many things we do not fully understand. I humbly submit that we can only understand God to the degree that he reveals himself to us. We learn most about God in the person of Jesus, for that is how he has revealed himself in our time. I can read the Bible for a lifetime and I will barely scratch the surface of understanding an infinite God. I think it took God revealing himself in human form for me to really be able to relate to Jesus.
If the Bible is the contract of eternal life and death, the contract we have been given to examine and reject or accept....have you studied it for yourself?
Finally, if you accept that Bible as God's revelation to humanity, Jesus cannot be contained and reduced to a human who lived and died 2000 years ago, or a dead teacher or prophet to be respected. The claim is he rose from the dead, and is the living God in Heaven today--alive and at work in this world today through his Followers, the Church. That is enough for me to believe for a lifetime.
NO ONE IS GOOD ENOUGH TO DESERVE HEAVEN
As we study the Bible we learn that we can do nothing to impress or buy-off God enough to give us a pass in the end, any more than we'd expect a life insurance plan to pay off if we stop paying premiums. Consider the self-evident truth written about eternity in the book of Psalms, written around A.D. 1000 or so: This was written 1000 years before Jesus came, but is still so true:
From Psalm 49 No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—so that they should live on forever and not see decay".
King David understood this truth in 1000 BC, do you today?
The Bible teaches that everyone has sinned and our sin holds a penalty of death. With certainty, physical death, but just as certain the Bible declares that dying with sin in your life produces an eternal separation with God. For a perfect and holy God refuses to live in the presence of evil, corruption, and sin. So how can a holy God and an unholy people be reunited?
THERE IS GREAT NEWS AND HOPE!
The Bible teaches that God sent his own son into the world to pay a ransom, and make clean an unclean people.
At our local sewage treatment plants, sewage is made clean and pure to drink again. How much more can God forgive and make our hearts pure again if we ask for forgiveness?
I John 1:9 states: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness"
This is the Gospel, which means good news! With his very blood, Jesus fully paid the debt of our sin and restored the broken contract made between humans and a Holy God. We can experience a relationship with Jesus today by faith alone, not by Good works.
When Jesus rose from the dead and returned to Heaven, he left part of himself behind in the person of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul explained it this way:
Ephesians 1:13 "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory".
TRUSTING IN JESUS BRINGS YOU INTO A FAMILY: A WORLDWIDE CHURCH
So part of being a Christian is to be a part of something big, universal, and infinitely important. Believing in Jesus joins you and me with a family of over 1 billion people, known as the church (little c). He views each of us as valuable intrinsically, not because of our good works or character, race or sex.
The Bible teaches that when we believe in Jesus as Lord, you are adopted into God's family as permanent heirs, sons and daughters. However, God never forces anyone to believe, much like we do not have insurance until we sign our acceptance of the terms and conditions, and make our premium payment. Our ongoing payment to God is simple faith expressed through love.
In John 4 Jesus was asked "What must we do to perform the works of God?
Jesus simply replied 'The work of God is this: to believe in the One he has sent"...then he said shortly after, 'He who believes has eternal life'. The mystery of eternal life is Jesus teaching that relationship with Him is the basis of eternal life for all humanity.
Christians for centuries have tried to add to the Gospel message: implying that you need to do so many works to be saved, or repent to a certain level of earthly cleanness, or be water baptized, give so much, and many other add-ons, but Jesus at the core of his message addressed a humanity that was bankrupt and in need of saving, not a re-payment plan. If a billionaire offers to repay all of your debts and you turn him down, you can't blame the offer, but the pride of the one rejecting the gift.
A FEW WORDS ON 'HEAVEN', OR THE ETERNAL FUTURE
The bible teaches that Jesus left this earth alive, and currently is in the spiritual realm awaiting a day when God the Father will send him back to earth a second time. He is pictures on a throne beside God the Father, praying for us as we walk through life. The 3rd part of himself, the Holy Spirit remains in the hearts of his followers. There is a unity in God--the trinity is just one God expressing his infinite self in 3 persons we can related to in different ways. A father, A friend, and a companion.
When Jesus bodily returns in the near future, he will work out a plan to judge both the living and the dead. The future world will once again be free of sin as it was in the beginning of time, and God will live with his people again. We read in the book of Revelation that God will once again will live with us where we can directly experience his presence. When will this happen? Only God knows.
In the final scene of the biblical movie (Read chapter 23 of Revelations) we will again walk with God once again not on pillowy clouds, but on a New and restored Earth. Not in a garden, but a massive garden city. No longer tempted by the presence or power of sin, decay, and death. No fear, anxiety, tears or evil.
In the meantime, prior to this restoration, when a person dies in Christ today, they can have confidence that they will be with the Lord in Heaven, which is simply the unseen realm where God lives.
My Dad died a few years back, as did my best friend Greg. Our family draws great comfort in believing that death is not the end, but the start of eternal life, and I'll see my Dad and Greg again, walking free from sickness and pain. My mother has lost her mind to Asheimer's disease, but in the next world her mind be clear again. We will have peace of mind, body, and soul. when all the garbage of this world fades away.
WHEN YOU THINK OF LIFE AFTER DEATH, DO YOU HAVE FAITH THAT YOU WILL LIVE WITH A PERFECT GOD IN PEACE OR IS THERE A SENSE OF DREAD AND THE UNKNOWN. READ THE CONTRACT!
Consider from the book of Revelation 21 at John's prophetic description :
Revelation 21: “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Some say Christianity is fine for you, but not really important for the world.
C.S. Lewis was quoted as saying,
"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and, if true is of infinite importance. What it cannot be is moderately important."
PICKING A BIBLE VERSION TO READ
So if you've managed to read this far and want to begin to start reading the Bible for yourself. Here are a few tips for what it's worth.
A great place to start is by reading the book of John in the New Testament. It's a story about Jesus and designed to present Jesus teachings in such a way as to promote faith.
What a great place to start. Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell different accounts of Jesus life and teachings, offering different emphasis and details. I'm a huge fan of the Read Scripture App, because it embeds short videos to better help you understand what you are reading.
But before you start reading, you can begin to talk to Jesus. Send up a simple and humble prayer. Ask Jesus to help you understand what you are reading. Tell him you want to know him better. Then listen closely...and you may hear something in return.
The Gospels are like 4 first-hand observers describing a car accident. All of the authors either witnessed the event firsthand (John and Matthew), or were penning the recollections of firsthand witnesses (Mark and Luke) from different positions, but the story details have an amazing consistency, strengthening our ability to trust the accuracy of the accounts. They were not fabricated stories written centuries after the events in questions.
Although there are many great translations of the Bible from the original Greek and Hebrew, I would encourage you to try the New International Version (NIV), as it was translated over a 20 years period by scholars of different theological leanings and denominational slants. It's been updated recently as well.
I love the bible website http://www.biblegateway.com because it has an outstanding audio bible options. If you do listen to the bible, I encourage you to also read it as you listen. It's pretty tough to be impacted by just listening alone.
As a lifetime student of the bible, I can't say enough about the website http://www.biblehub.com Whether you're a pastor, a new follower, or in between, http://www.biblehub.com offers every tool imaginable to help you understand the Bible better. The Bible was written in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek for the New Testament. Jesus and his followers spoke in Aramaic, which is more like Hebrew than Greek. You can study the Bible from the original language, breaking down every word...amazing stuff!
DON'T READ THE BIBLE FOR THE HEAD, BUT FOR THE HEART
I encourage you to not read about Jesus just to gain head knowledge alone, but to seek answers regarding eternal life. As per my prior example, learning second-hand about your earthly father is of little value unless you cultivate a personal relationship with him. God created and loves you, and is infinite enough and loving enough to be able to come as close to you as you are willing to come to him.
Life is just too short to wait. At age 57 now I've passed well beyond the 1/2 way point of life. As I age time continues to pass faster and faster. Tomorrow may be here faster than you expect. Death is not the end for a believer in Jesus, only the beginning.
JESUS CLAIMED TO BE THE ONLY WAY TO GOD
Jesus claimed in John 14:6 "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me. If you really knew me, you would know the Father as well".
To seek eternal life implies rightly that you sense your spiritual deadness and need what only Jesus can provide. The Biblical claim is that our sins make us spiritually dead and polluted and that Jesus is the only one who can restore life and cleanse our hearts and make them clean.
If you had an earthly billion dollar debt and were unwilling to admit it, no one could help you, not even Bill Gates! Likewise, admitting our sins to God is called 'Confession'--admitting what God already knows. Asking for help to turn away from sin is called 'Repentance'. It's not just changing the mind, but setting the feet to walk another direction. Repentance to salvation at the heart is agreeing with God that faith in any other way to God is futile. God leads us to the truth, but we must freely accept it for ourselves.
If Jesus is God (as the bible declares), then the pursuit of Jesus is the very pursuit of God, which is the way to life, and the truth about everything important. Jesus said to his followers, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father". The journey of faith begins and ends with Jesus.
Do you have anything in your belief portfolio worth giving your life for?
A FINAL WORD ON SOUL INSURANCE
Soul Insurance is a contract first introduced by Jesus over 2000 years ago. The company is a worldwide, international corporation known as 'The Church", which boasts over a billion shareholders, a 2000 year track record, and has enrollees from every country on earth, a worldwide distribution system, and the same founder and CEO since inception. Every valid death claim has been paid in full, and the policy count has risen from a dozen enrollees to over 3 billion, with living benefits enjoyed by millions daily. Not a single client has ever returned from the dead and show regret in putting faith in Jesus.
"The catch" remains the fact that while the premiums are offered at no cost, the policy must be accepted by faith to become valid.
Faith does not save you, but you must have faith to be saved.
Today's a great day to evaluate your faith portfolio and the object of your faith. Accept Jesus by faith and start a relationship with him today.
A PRAYER FOR A FRESH START WITH GOD...
Congratulations on getting to the bottom of my rambling sermon. If my words struck you and you want to begin a new relationship with God, that's great! My words have no ability to change anyone's mind unless the Spirit of God is at work in you. I get this from Jesus teaching in John 6:43-51, consider:
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day...Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God; only He has seen the Father...Truly, truly I tell you, anyone who believes in me has eternal life. I am the bread of that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread is my flesh'. (speaking of his future sacrifice on the Cross to save us from our sins).
Consider beginning a conversation with God with a simple prayer of faith. Something like this:
"Jesus, I've had no idea about you, and what I did know I dismissed or rejected. Thank you for opening my eyes to who you are. I was blind, but now you opened my eyes and I am beginning to see you. If you died for me, then that is every reason for me to spend my entire life getting to know you more. I chose to believe in you now, and thank you that you want to have a relationship with me.
Help me in seek you out that I may come to know you better. Teach me through your Word, and help me find a church family to be apart of to help me grow and serve you better. Thank you for much for dying for me sins and adopting me as your child. I don't know much about you now, but I'm thankful and eternally grateful". Amen
updated 11/13/25
