Come to Jesus Anyway

 

On my drive to work the other morning, I saw three cars had pulled off to the side of the road. A car had gone into the ditch and struck a utility pole in someone’s lawn. I could see the airbag had deployed. The driver, a young woman, was laying on the grass moaning. There was no ambulance or police vehicles in sight, so I asked if anyone had called 911. I was told an ambulance was on its way so, rather than stay and be in the way of emergency services personnel, I proceeded on my way. I did lift all involved up in prayer before the LORD.

 

A couple of weeks ago, a man in my community passed away at age 60 of an autoimmune disease. Although he had briefly mentioned what I thought were some minor health issues on social media, I was shocked to learn of his passing.

 

Some time ago, a likable, strapping softball player I had a passing friendship with died of a heart attack at age 50. I regretted not being just a little more compelling in inviting him to learn more about Jesus.

 

Now, I don’t know whether any of these people are with Jesus right now. The young lady in the car certainly did not seem to have life-threatening injuries, but the point is life is fragile and short and none of us know when and where it will end here on this earth. 

 

If you are reading this and you have not come to Jesus, please, please keep reading. 

 

I know some of us Christians do a lousy job of showing the love of Jesus in our everyday lives.

 

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because His death on the cross was because God loves you and wants you to live forever with Him. (John 3:16)

 

I know it seems like Christianity requires that you give up all your bad habits and become a “perfect” Christian before you will be accepted.

 

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because we’re all messed up. Not one of us is perfect, but He loves us and accepts us as we are. (Romans 3:23 and Romans 5:8.)

 

I know it seems like your past mistakes make you feel like you cannot be forgiven. 

 

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because none of us are any better than you and you can and will be forgiven, (Romans 3:24)

 

I know it seems like Christianity is all about making you feel bad about your past.

 

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because Jesus did not come to this earth to condemn you, but to save you. (John 3:17, Romans 8:1)

 

I know it seems like the things we Christians disapprove of in your life are things you may enjoy and don’t necessarily think are bad things.

 

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because He can sort all that out. (That takes more than a couple of verses, but start with 1 Corinthians 10:23.)

 

I know some of us Christians seem we are more about enforcing a bunch of rules than anything else.

 

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because the people Jesus reserved His harshest judgment for were religious big shots who thought they were better than everybody else. (See Matthew 23: 1-36.)

 

I know you may not like the politics of some Christians.

 

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because even though He was killed for political reasons (John 11:48) He insisted on operating at a level above the political. (Luke 20:20-26, John 18:28-40.)

 

I know sometimes it seems hopeless and pointless and why would God care about you anyway?

 

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because of Luke 15: 1-7. (Especially verse 7.) 

 

I know it seems like sometimes life has no meaning and no purpose. 

 

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because He has a wonderful, glorious plan for you. (Ephesians 2:10)

 

I know some of us Christians seem like a joyless bunch singing songs you don’t like and sitting in boring church services forever.

 

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because there are churches that aren’t like that at all. (Philippians 4:4)

 

I know you think if you just try harder, you can get your life in order all by yourself.

Come to Jesus anyway. Come because the God who created the universe and everything in it is ready and willing and able and wants to help you be not just all you can be, but more than you ever imagined.. (See Ephesians 3:20)

 

And, if none of that convinces you, read Luke 15: 11-32.

 

Today’s Praise

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”