Beliefnet
2018-11-01

What is your relationship like with Jesus? If it’s broken, how do you repair it? This is a question many of us ask ourselves regularly not only when we’re lost, but also when we are saved. Feeling lost or struggling on your faith journey isn’t something to feel bad about, as we have all lost our way, even when saved. Jesus wants us to remain faithful in Christ, recognize that everything happens for a reason and is a part of God’s Will. Sometimes difficulties and crisis are used by the Lord to bring us closer and to develop intimacy with him. The more you grow in Christ, the less questions you will have and the more you will trust in God. This won’t happen overnight. It’s an everyday process. Luckily, Jesus provides the framework to do this. During His time on Earth Jesus had an awesome perspective on life, values and what should be really important to us. Enjoy this list of 20 amazing things Jesus said.

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me. –John 14:6

From this we know that Jesus is the only way to salvation. He is not simple a way, as in one of many; He is the way, as in the one and only. There is not one person that can come to God the Father except through Jesus. There are believers that think that they can find their way to God through achievement, knowledge, reputation or personal holiness but God tells us that the only way is by being saved, which is deliverance or redemption from sin and its consequences. We get access to the Father through Jesus.

Don’t use oaths, whether ‘by heaven’ or ‘by earth’ or by anything else. When you say yes or no let it be plain ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. –Matthew 5:34-37

In the Bible, Jesus tells us, “Simply let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one. On your faith journey, you will take more than one detour from Jesus. But in spite of those situations, your stubbornness, your self-righteous arrogance and a litany of other short comings, God loves you. If you don’t feel as close to Him as you once did, it isn’t God that has moved, but you that has moved. Sometimes we use our words to gain the approval of others. 'Yes' or 'No' is much safer.

But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. –Matthew 6:33

Your purpose as a believer is to build the Kingdom of God. Your role in His Kingdom will require your natural gifts and talents. As Christians, it’s important to start the exploration of calling with the call to follow Jesus. The call to belong to Christ is everything. When we belong to Jesus, we’re finally able to make God look glorious in our lives. This will also empower you to live a greater life in Christ. Prioritize the Kingdom and God will take care of the rest.

Ask and it will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you. –Luke 11:9

There’s no way you can follow God’s purpose and receive blessings in your life if you don’t know who you are in Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and draw you closer to Jesus. The Bible tells us that we will receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus and the eyes of understanding will be enlightened (Ephesians 1:17-18). God reveals a calling only to those who accept Jesus as Savior. Knowing Him intimately will change you. God is ready to bless you. Ask.

If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived for you. –Mathew 12:2

It’s hard to deny that things are becoming increasingly challenging here on Earth. Many of us are struggling through economic hardships while others live every day in fear for their life as the place that they call home is now an active war zone. Yet, contrary to popular belief or what the media is portraying, there is more reason than ever to hope and the Church has an incredible opportunity to present that change to the world. Now is the time to release God’s Kingdom like a flood and make a profound mark on others. Remember, Jesus caused God's Kingdom to infiltrate the Earth and take back territory. He has all power and authority.

If salt loses its saltiness what will you season it with? –Luke 14:34

Mark 9:50 suggests that saltiness can be lost specifically through a lack of peace with one another; this follows from the command to “have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” Then in Luke 14:34, we find a reference of the metaphor of salt once again, this time in the context of obedient discipleship to Jesus Christ. The loss of saltiness occurs in the failure of the Christian to daily take up the cross and follow Jesus Christ wholeheartedly. There are no substitutes for holiness.

Love your enemies. And pray for those who persecute. –Matthew 5:44

While Jesus encourages us to sacrifice ourselves and speak kind words of blessings to those with disagree with most, for many Christians, that isn’t always how we respond to others. There is always new controversy taking place in the Church. This can involve one group of Christians disagreeing with another group of Christians and the outcome of this situation ends with those taking to the internet to write slanderous posts about the other. This is not Jesus’ way and is absolutely contrary to what He would do. Love, because He first loved you.

Forgive and you will be forgiven. –Luke 6:37

Scripture tells us, “Be gentle and ready to forgive never hold grudges. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (Colossians 3:13). But forgiveness is a concept many Christians struggle with. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Our inexcusable behavior has been forgiven by God, so if we are to have the stamp of Christ on our lives, that would include forgiving the inexcusable behavior of other towards us. Seriously, let it go. We all need mercy and grace.

If one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the missing one till he has found it? How delighted he is then! He lifts it onto his shoulders, and home he goes to call his friends and neighbors together. “Celebrate with me!” he cries. “I have found my lost sheep.” –Luke 15:4-6

One of the key elements of Christianity is being open and willing to share your faith with others, but the practical way of doing that is often a struggle. Many Christians don’t share their faith out of fear of being ridiculed, disapproved and persecuted by the world. We hesitate to share and fear-based thoughts begin to show up. How do we tell others about God in a way that is effective? God's heart is that none should perish.

When someone hits you on the cheek offer the other as well. When someone takes your coat let him have your shirt too. –Luke 6:29

Building a foundation of hope will help carry you through any storms you may face. First, submit yourself to Jesus. He is the source of our hope. When we come to Him in humility, He restores us. Next, strengthen your faith. Allow God’s previously fulfilled promises to renew your hope. God has given us written record of countless ways He has provided hope for believers in centuries in the past. If we lower ourselves, God will lift you up. Trust Him.

Blessed are you who are weeping. In due time, you will be laughing. –Luke 6:21

If you want to achieve spiritual happiness, it’s imperative that you take your spiritual walk seriously. Many of us seek Jesus when we are in situations of need, which is ok but imagine a relationship where we didn’t focus our attention on what God could give us, but how we could give back to glorify God. What a beautifully profound relationship that would be. Spiritual growth can be painful, but comes with lasting joy.

If you follow me you carry a cross. –Matthew 10:38

Would anyone be able to pick you out of the crowd, at your place of work or in your neighborhood, and identify you as a Christian? Can people definitively say, “I know he/she is a Christian,” or “I know he/she is a follower of Jesus?” What makes you look, act, think and speak differently than those whom you work and live with? Today, the Christian faith has not only come under attack, but many Christians themselves have become complacent and compromised their beliefs for the culture we live in. If we follow Jesus, we should never be lost. It's not an easy road, but it's worth it.

The first will be last and the last first. –Mark 10:31

One of the clearest messages throughout all four Gospel accounts is the way that we enter the Kingdom of God is through living in obedience to the Law of Christ. Throughout the Gospel, Jesus makes very clear statements that condemn those who think they will be saved because they say the right things or do the right religious rituals. Jesus responds to those who believe they are religious and deserve Heaven by saying that their outward religiosity is detestable and the only thing God desires is that they exercise their faith is by obeying the command of God – to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly. We enter His Kingdom by doing God’s will, through loving God and neighbor. Looking or acting religious isn’t a qualifier. It is better to serve, than to be served.

To hang on to your life is to lose it. To let go of your life is to save it. –John 12:25

Discovering your God-given talents is one of the first steps to truly living in Jesus. It is a process that may require time and effort, but knowing them is necessary to achieving the life God intended for you. People who are in touch with their God-given gifts are one step closer to understanding their larger function in the body of Christ and fulfilling their purpose on Earth. Look inward and reflect on your life experiences. Giving your life away to serve others is truly living.

Are not sparrows sold for very little? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. The very hairs on your head have been counted. Fear not. You are worth more than a flock of sparrows. –Matthew 10:29-31

The plan God has for your life can only be accomplished when we give the best of our time, efforts, gifts and focus to our specific task. God brings out the best in us when we give Him our best. The Bible tells us, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12). Just as Timothy was focused and committed to God’s call, and not distracted or distracted by those around him, we too should model this in our own lives. Stop worrying. God will take care of you.

It is not what goes into a man from outside that can make him unclean. It’s what comes out of him that makes him unclean. –Mark 7:15

As a man thinks all along in his heart, so he is at last in act. Being clean in heart involves having a singleness heart toward God. A pure heart has no hypocrisy and no hidden motives. The pure heart is marked by transparency and an uncompromising desire to please God in all things. It’s an internal purity of soul.

For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and lose his soul –Mark 8:36

The world is not our life source. Jesus warns about people who claim to represent Him but don’t actually live as a follower of Christ; He called them ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing. He makes the statement that not all who claim to be Christian are who they say they are. It’s important that you listen to the substance of people’s messages. The message for Christ should always be central. “We have everything we need for life and godliness in Him” (2 Peter 1:3). For the false teacher, “They will secretly introduce destructive heresies" (2 Peter 2:1). Pay attention to the word secretly here. Movement away from the centrality of Christ may be subtle.

The kingdom of God is like treasure buried in a field. The man who found it buried it again. Delighted, he went and sold everything he had and bought the field. –Matthew 13:44

As Christians, we are called to develop the talent and gifts God has given us to use to build up the Kingdom of God here on earth. These gifts will enable us through our lives and allow us to bless others. If we want to fulfill our calling, we must develop our God-given ability. Paul told Timothy to “fan into the flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit of God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6-7). Allow the Holy Spirit to work through you; praying that you will be enabled to do works that will glorify God without fear and according to His plan for us. Our work as Christians must be an integral part of our participation in Christ Himself. Kingdom pursuit should be our highest aim in life.

If a blind person is leading a blind person, both will end up in a ditch. –Luke 6:39

 

Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours” (Matthew 11:24). As Christians, we know that prayer is a key part of our relationship with God but it isn’t always a part of our regular practice. Many Christians struggle with making adequate time for God, through prayer and communication. We live in a fast-paced world and while many Christians say Jesus is most important their life, many struggle with fitting God into their daily agendas. But a Jesus follower always has time for God because their lives center on Him. Follow Christ and those that follow Him too.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. –Mark 10:45

Jesus calls us to give back for the sake of others. In Matthew 22, Jesus gives us two commandments that summarize the laws and commands in Scripture, one being to love your neighbor as yourself –a kind of love free of selfishness and expectation. When we use our blessings to help others, we are only advancing God’s kingdom and practicing the love God intended for the world to practice. Service is a part of our Kingdom duty.

No matter what kind of Christian activities you participate in and no matter what kind of “religious” things you do, what is your personal relationship to Christ? This is the key to growing in Christ and overcoming brokenness with Him. The choice of choosing Jesus and wanting a relationship with Him is all our own. Hopefully, this wisdom from Jesus will guide you and keep your paths straight.


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