Monday, October 29, 2007
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Usually, the only way we know a musical artist we like is through listening to their CD or maybe watching their music video or DVD. We've come a long way from Grandma's old 78 RPM records. In fact, someone's listening and saying, "What's a 78 RPM?" Or maybe even, "What's a record!" But there's something much better than either the audio or video recording of a great musician. It's called going to their concert where you can actually see and hear them, live and in person. There's nothing like the live concert.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Nice Ways to Miss God."
If you can see a musician in person - or better yet, if you have a chance to meet that person, why would you just settle for something they've made - like a recording? Sadly, many a person in their search for spiritual answers, has made a tragic mistake like that. They've gotten all involved with something God made or a religion that represents Him, but they have missed meeting Him in person!
In Mark 12:34, our word for today from the Word of God, Jesus made a sobering statement about what I would call a spiritual "near miss." The man He said it to had a lot of Bible knowledge and spiritual understanding but not a personal commitment to Jesus. Jesus said, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." Almost there, but not in. That means there will be people who came very close to doing what they must do in order to get to heaven. But like a man who misses his airplane flight by only seconds, they still won't get there. If Jesus were to appear to you personally where you are today, I wonder if He might say those same words to you - "You're not far from the kingdom of God. But you're not in."
Maybe you've found your spiritual experience in creation - the mountains, the ocean, the universe. That's good, but that's not God. God talks about that in Romans 1. "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 men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile..." That's what happens when you stop at what God made and you don't go on to a personal relationship with the God who made it! If you think what He's produced is impressive, wait until you meet Him!
Or maybe you've gotten as close to Jesus as a religion that's about Him. But your church, your religion, is only a representation of the One you need to know personally; only an introduction to Him. Religion can be a nice way to miss God. If you think your religion does something for you, wait until you meet the One the religion is just representing! Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father except through Me" ( John 14:6). It's Jesus that gets you to heaven, not Christianity. And one of the greatest spiritual dangers in the world is to put your trust in a Christian religion or a Christian belief and miss putting your trust in Jesus.
And today I believe He's inviting someone who's listening to finally experience the real thing - an eternal love relationship with Jesus Himself. It's not practicing a religion. It's responding to His love with total trust, responding with all your heart to His pouring out all His life for you when He died on the cross to take your place; to absorb all of God's punishment for your sin. Responding to this Rescuer from heaven who blew the doors off His grave on Easter morning. It's not enough just to know He did those things, any more than it would be enough for a drowning person to know that a lifeguard could save him. You have to grab Him and hold onto Him as your only hope.
For all your spirituality, for all your religion, maybe that hole in your heart is still empty. That's because of the missing person in your life - Jesus. The Bible says you were made by Him and for Him. And this can be the day you finally meet Him in your soul! If that's what you want, tell Him that: "Jesus, I need You. I want You. I've settled for less than You and it's never been enough. But now I'm ready to turn from running my life and give it to You." See, He promised that upon your invitation, He will come in.
I put into writing exactly how the Bible says we begin this relationship with Jesus. It's called Yours For Life. I'd like to send it to you if you want it. Just let me know you want it at our website which is yoursforlife.net. You can call toll-free at 877-741-1200.
Your lifelong search for meaning and for love - for God - ends at the feet of Jesus. It's time to come home.