As a new Christian, I’ve learned so much in the last year.
For starters, I learned that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and that “No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. Though this may seem obvious to seasoned Christians, I was heavily influenced by the world and really thought, among other lies, that just being a good person was good enough to get me to heaven (and I even struggled to do that!).
I also learned, not just in my head, but deep in my heart, that God loves me. As Paul says in Roman’s 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”. He can’t help but love us because that is His nature. God IS love. And when we believe in and follow His son Jesus, our relationship with God is restored, and we have a high priest who intervenes for us and we can “…with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16.
But the greatest thing I learned this past year is that I cannot earn my way to salvation. My upbringing, though I know it was meant well, was focused on my actions as a way of being saved. If I was “good” then I was acceptable to God, and if I was “bad” there was a price to pay. A penance (inflicting self-punishment) of various kinds. The problem was, as a sinner, I could never reach that perfect state of goodness, and so I felt unloved by God, in perpetual penance, and lost.
What I know today is that my sin is covered by the blood of Jesus. And that “…by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Hallelujah! Now that is the most life changing and Transcendent (very excellent; superior) Truth to this sinner’s ears. Thank you, Jesus!
In grace and peace,
Cristi