Only Jesus Can Restore Us

J. Heinrich Arnold wrote; "Jesus alone can heal us and give us a new heart.  He came to restore us through his blood, and every heart, however tormented, can find comfort and healing in him" (Freedom from Sinful Thoughts).

Part of the human condition is to look for life apart from God.  At one time or another everyone resembles the church family at Laodicea.  These Christians believed that because of their wealth, their continued prosperity, and their industry that they needed nothing.  They clung to the belief that their hard work, their great economy, and their wonderful city provided for them everything they needed.

The problem was God saw things differently.  They saw themselves as fashionable and wealthy, but God knew they were poor, pitiful, and pathetic (Rev. 3:17).  Their source of life and healing was nothing but a broken cistern, unable to give them what they truly needed.

The counsel Jesus gave to this church was to turn to him and he would give them real wealth, real healing, and real fashion.  These Christian would rather make do with the things of this world than to experience the real life Christ delivered them to live.

So many of us continue to insist on finding hope, healing, and life on our own.  The question I remember Erwin McManus asking in a sermon years ago is relevant to this discussion: "Why do we continue to search for life in dead places?" 

We search for life in good things like relationships, jobs, and traditions.  We search for life in evil things like drugs, pornography, and immorality.  Everything from education to politics to entertainment can be turned into a source of life, healing, and hope.  As we do this we continue to discover that they do not satisfy.

Sooner of later we need to come to the realization that the apostle Paul came to:

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!  —(Philippians 3:7-11; NLT).

This brings us back to the quote from the start: Jesus alone brings healing.  The condition attached to the healing Jesus offers is that we need to set aside what we are clinging to now and come empty handed to him.  It is not easy to break free from the things we have clung onto for so long for identity, life, hope, and healing, but it must be done.  That is what repentance is all about. 

The great news is that healing and true life is available to everyone.  It does matter who you are and what you have done, Jesus offers you healing and life.  Come as you are to Jesus, and he will give you the healing your heart desperately needs.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Why I Still Follow Jesus

Why do I still follow Jesus Christ? 

For me, it comes down to purpose—a call that God has woven into my life. Jesus didn’t just ask His first disciples to drop their nets and believe a set of ideas; He invited them into something bigger: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). That same invitation echoes today. We’re made for good works (Ephesians 2:10), not just to hold to a set of doctrines and beliefs, but to actually live those truths. In other words, following Jesus isn’t about checking off a list of doctrines—it’s about joining a movement that changes the world, through the simplest acts of love (Matthew 25:31-46).

Of course, plenty of Christians fall short of this calling, but that doesn’t make the calling invalid. Rather, it reminds us that we need help in living this calling out in our lives. As followers of Jesus, we’re meant to bring light to our families, communities, and nations. The Church, at its best, is God’s love in action.

The purpose I have as a follower of Jesus depends on two important choices. It depends on my choice to be faithful to King Jesus in every area of my life. I can only live this calling out if I am faithful. The second choice is the choice to love. Jesus taught that the most important commandment is to love: to love God and to love people. If I am not going to love, then it is impossible for me to live out the purpose of my life.

Now, compare that to what I’ll call the “evangelical atheist.” Their message urges people to abandon belief in God—but what’s the replacement? Do they genuinely think a world without God would be better? If so, where’s the proof? History doesn’t exactly back them up. And when they reject the source of goodness and love, what’s left to inspire kindness or sacrifice?

That’s not to say atheists can’t be moral or altruistic—many are. But they lack a foundation to call others to a life that seeks to make this world a better place. Without an absolute moral standard, they rely on shifting personal or cultural ideals, which is shaky ground when human nature often prioritizes self-interest over the suffering of others. Atheism critiques but doesn’t construct; it deconstructs faith yet offers no compelling alternative that can inspire, unite, or transform people and culture.

Faith in Jesus is not just about our self-interest. It calls us to something greater. The New Testament teachings this truth over and over again—Jesus commands us to love God and others (Matthew 22:34-40), Paul urges us to serve selflessly (Romans 12, Galatians 6, Ephesians 2:10), James reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 1:27), Peter exhorts us to bless others (1 Peter 3:9), and John emphasizes love in action (1 John 3:16-18). Disciples of Jesus are not just encouraged to love—we’re expected to. It’s central to our calling.

What’s amazing is how this call to love is for everyone. No one is incapable of loving. If morality were merely a personal construct, we’d have an innumerable number of ideas about what is right and wrong —forcing everyone to champion the causes they believe to be most important, whether climate change, poverty, or global suffering. That’s a recipe for burnout and division, especially since we cannot agree on what’s most important.

Christianity changes that. God sets a moral standard, calls us to love Him and others, and then gives us the freedom to bring our unique gifts to the table. The metaphor of being the Body of Christ nails it (Romans 12:3-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31)—we are different parts of the body with distinct roles (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:7-11). God’s plan is a Church full of individuals, each equipped to tackle the world’s brokenness in their own way.

 None of us can meet the world’s brokenness on our own, but when we work together we can make a difference.

So, I follow Jesus—doubts and all—because this call isn’t just about my personal relationship with Jesus; it’s about God’s people working together to influence the world. It’s about serving those around me and carrying God’s love into the world, all the while partnering with others. In living it out the calling to love and serve, I discover the life I was made for. And honestly? I want others to find that life too.

Redefining Purpose

Many, if not all of us, have a sense that we were made for more. That we were created to do something great that will change the world, or at least make a difference in the lives of a few people. We don’t want our lives be meaningless.

This is why we frequently hear messages about pursuing our dreams and following our hearts. Those are the messages that we want to hear. American culture, even within the church, promotes the idea that a fulfilled life comes from doing what we are passionate about—chasing our "God-given dreams" and living a life of success, influence, and happiness.

But what if purpose isn’t about chasing a dream? What if it’s about something deeper—something unshakable?

To answer this, we must first ask: What is purpose?

At its core, purpose is about our why—our primary motivation for living. It helps us make sense of life and determine how to best use our time, talents, and opportunities. But does the world's definition align with God’s?

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Worldly Definitions of Purpose

A Performance-Based View of Purpose

In today’s culture, the idea of finding your purpose is often tied to personal fulfillment. People are encouraged to search for their true calling, chase their dreams, and to do what they are passionate about. There is no doubt that meaningful work is a blessing, this mindset can also be misleading because it equates purpose with success, status, or self-fulfillment—luxuries that not everyone can afford.

From a young age, we are conditioned to believe that purpose is something we must discover and achieve. We hear motivational phrases like:

• “Follow your passion, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
• “When you cease to dream you cease to live.”
• “Dreams are the fuel that ignites the fire of possibility.”

These thoughts may be inspiring, but they can also create unrealistic expectations. Not everyone has a single, lifelong passion or a clear career path that feels like their "one true calling." Many people struggle with uncertainty, transition, or simply working to provide for their families. Does that mean they lack purpose?

The Anxiety of Chasing Purpose

When purpose is defined by following your dreams or living with a passion, it leads to unnecessary stress when that is not your experience. Rather than discovering their purpose, many people will experience:

• Doubt – “Do I have a dream worth following?”
• Disappointment – “Every time I think life is going to turn around for me the other shoe drops.”
• Comparison – “Others seem to be living their dream—why am I struggling?”

Rather than bringing joy, the pursuit of purpose often brings with it anxiety and depression, making people feel like they are being left behind or missing out on something bigger.

The Pressure to Define Ourselves by What We Do

We all know that our American culture equates identity with career and achievements. When someone asks, “What do you do?” they are often really asking, “Who are you?” This places enormous pressure on people to define themselves by their accomplishments rather than their character or faithfulness.

I know I struggled with this when I was baking bagels in Iowa City, unable to find a paid pastoral position. I constantly battled feelings of failure and inadequacy. I had based my identity and purpose so much on being a pastor that when I wasn’t in that role, I felt like I was wasting my life.

Looking back, I now see how God used that time in my life to refine my character and reshape my understanding of purpose.

What Happens When Circumstances Change?

If our purpose is tied to what we do or what we can achieve, then what happens when life takes an unexpected turn?

• What if you lose your job?
• What if your dreams shift or don’t work out?
• What if your season of life demands something different from what you planned?

When purpose is defined by success, failure or change can make us feel like we’ve lost our identity.

Shifting the Focus

The world’s definition of purpose is rooted in following your dreams and trying to accomplish something great, but this approach often leads to frustration, disappointment, and anxiety. Instead of purpose being about our fulfillment and success, Scripture teaches that our purpose is found in something different—faithfulness to God.

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The Biblical Definition of Purpose

The world often tells us that purpose about what we do—chasing our dreams, the difference we make, or the impact we have on other people. However, Scripture paints a different picture. Instead of tying purpose to achievement, the Bible consistently defines it in terms of faithfulness to God. Our purpose is not found in what we accomplish but in how we live in obedience to Him.

Purpose Is Rooted in Faithfulness, Not Success

Rather than centering purpose on self-fulfillment, Scripture calls us to live in a way that reflects God’s heart and character in all the various circumstances of life. Consider these key verses:

Micah 6:8

"Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God."

• God makes it clear that our purpose isn’t about chasing grand achievements but about living with justice, mercy, and humility.
• Success means little if we neglect those around us who are struggling. Purpose is about using what we have to make a difference.
• True purpose requires walking humbly with God—aligning with His values and will rather than our own ambitions.

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

• Our ultimate purpose is not about us but about Jesus living through us.
• We are called to live with love, hope, and truth, showing the world that there is a better way.
• True purpose is found in surrender—allowing Jesus to shape our desires, decisions, and daily lives.

Colossians 3:17

"And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

• This verse doesn’t limit purpose to a specific job or calling. Instead, whatever we do should be done in a way that honors Jesus.
• Our loyalty to Christ is seen in how we live and represent Him in our daily lives.
• This is the purpose for every Christian—we represent King Jesus in everything we say and do.

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A Shift in Perspective: From Doing to Being

These verses challenge the common idea that purpose is about what we do. Instead, they emphasize how we live. Purpose is less about a grand mission to change the world and more about a daily posture of obedience, love, and faithfulness.

• Instead of asking, “What should I do with my life?” we should ask, “How can I honor God in whatever I do?”
• Instead of trying to follow our hearts, we should focus on being faithful wherever God has placed us.

Living with Purpose in Every Season

This biblical view of purpose brings incredible freedom. If purpose is tied to a specific job, talent, or opportunity, then our sense of meaning is fragile—it can be lost when circumstances change. But if our purpose is found in living faithfully before God, then we can live with purpose whether we are:

• Working in a career we love or in a job that simply provides for our needs.
• In a time of growth or a time of waiting.
• Serving in a big, visible way or in quiet, unseen way.

No moment is wasted when our purpose is to walk humbly with God and to be faithful to Him in every circumstance of our lives.

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Conclusion: Purpose Is About Faithfulness

The biblical definition of purpose removes the pressure to “figure it all out” and instead calls us to trust God, love others, and live for His glory. No matter where we are or what we do, our purpose remains the same:

To act justly, love faithfulness, and walk humbly with our God.

From the Sandbox to the Beach: Embracing God’s Greater Purpose

 

“We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

— C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

We often settle for a life that is far less than the one God wants us to live.

Christians in America have settled for a life of mere moral living—attending Sunday worship (if we have nothing else to do), giving a few dollars (if we can spare it), and having a morning quiet time (mainly so we can post it to Instagram). We have made Christianity something that we do rather than something that defines who we are. In the process, we have settled for life in the sandbox when God wants to take us to the beach.

The problem, as I see it, is that we don’t understand that God promises us something more than what we dream of having. He intends for our lives to have purpose and for us to influence our little part of the world. God created us to be part of something larger than ourselves.

What did God create us to do?

He created us to be part of His Kingdom and to be united with other Christians as we make disciples. This is how we make a positive impact in the world we live in.

As my understanding of this reality has grown, the excitement and hope in my heart have grown as well. The reason I get excited is because I want to be a good steward of this life that God has given me. I don’t want to waste my life sitting in front of a screen, scrolling away while chuckling at a few videos. I want to live a life that impacts those around me and makes their lives better.

I don’t want to settle for a life in the sandbox. I want to accept God’s invitation to the beach.

Acts 20:18-24 (CSB)
When they came to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. You know that I did not hesitate to proclaim anything to you that was profitable and to teach you publicly and from house to house. 

“And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.”

The apostle Paul knew he was created for a purpose, and he lived his life to fulfill the calling that God had placed on him.

It is true that not everyone has a specific calling like Paul, who was called to be God’s instrument for taking the Gospel to the Gentiles, but I do think we can learn from his life. I want to point out two truths about accepting God’s calling on our lives.

The first truth is that living out our calling isn’t going to be easy. We often have this idea that since this is what God has called us to do, and because it will align with our talents and abilities, it will come easily. But that is not the case. The enemy will oppose us every step of the way, and we will have to fight through distractions, disappointments, difficulties, and detours to do what God has called us to do. No matter how hard it might be, it will be worth the effort.

The second truth is that we will only discover the meaning of our lives through living out our calling. Why are we here? Questions like these are answered as we do what God has called us to do. Paul said that his life had “no value” apart from living out his calling. Our value is found in being faithful to the call God has placed on our lives.

We may not have been called like the Apostle Paul, but God has still called us to follow Jesus, to live faithful lives, and to be united with the Church in making disciples. In our commitment to the mission of Jesus, we discover the meaning of our lives.

We are created for something bigger than ourselves. The call to be a disciple of Jesus is more than a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship. To be a follower of Jesus means that we join Him in the work He is doing in the world. This is the way we discover a life of purpose and meaning.

It is time to stop playing in the mud and accept God’s invitation to go to the beach.

Identity: From Corruption to New Creation

 

We often hear that human beings are created in the image of God. But what does that really mean? It’s about more than just physical likeness; it’s about purpose. Being made in God’s image means we are meant to represent Him in the world—to reflect His character and love in all we say and do. To help us accomplish this, God has equipped us with tools like intelligence, creativity, and discernment, enabling us to steward His good creation.

However, there is a problem: sin. In Genesis 3, we see the introduction of sin into the world, corrupting the image of God in us. The Apostle Paul sums this up clearly in Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard” (NLT). Sin disconnects us from God, distorting our ability to live as His representatives. Instead of being guided by the Spirit, we are led by our flesh, bringing dishonor to God.

This disconnection from God leads to a deep identity crisis. People wander through life, unsure of their purpose and significance. Across different cultures and belief systems, we see this search for meaning—Who am I? Why am I here? In a world grasping for answers, the Bible gives us the truth: we are created in God's image, but that image has been tainted by our choice to define good and evil on our terms. However, there is hope! The Gospel reveals that through Christ, we can rediscover our identity and purpose.

The Problem of Sin and the Promise of Reconciliation

In 2 Corinthians, Paul addresses this profound truth. His second letter to the Corinthians came after a period of significant challenges within the church. In his first letter, he had confronted them about division, immorality, and false teaching. By the time of this letter, there had been genuine change, and Paul was encouraged. He took the opportunity not only to reaffirm his apostleship but to remind the Corinthians of the reconciliation we now have with God because of Jesus.

Paul’s motivation is clear in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15:

For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised. (CSB)

Paul is driven by Christ’s love. Because Jesus died to bring reconciliation to people, Paul was willing to sacrifice his own comfort to bring the Gospel to the world. And just as Jesus died for us, Paul urges us to “die” to our old way of living—our beliefs, desires, and goals—and live for Christ. As believers, our mission is now tied to Jesus' mission: to reconcile people to God.

In 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, Paul highlights a critical shift in perspective:

From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! (CSB)

Before, Paul evaluated everything—including Jesus—through the lens of the flesh. But now, as a new creation in Christ, everything has changed. The Holy Spirit transforms us, preparing us for the entirety of New Creation, complete with a new heaven and a new earth. This transformation is ongoing; the moment Jesus rose from the dead, a new creation began, and we are invited into it. Sin no longer defines us because we are no longer enslaved to it. Instead, we are empowered by the Spirit, producing the fruit of eternal life like love, joy, and peace. We are made new to reflect God's character once more.

A New Creation with a New Mission

In 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Paul explains that through Jesus, we are reconciled to God.

Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 

 

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (CSB)

This reconciliation is not something we accomplish on our own; it is God’s work. Sadly, the world doesn’t realize they are separated from God. They are living their lives the best they can with the wisdom given to them.

This is where followers of Jesus come in. Paul refers to himself as an ambassador for Christ—someone sent from the Kingdom of God with a message of reconciliation. As we mature spiritually, this is our calling as well. We are no longer just stewards of God’s creation; we are ambassadors, sent into the world with the Good News of Jesus.

Christ took on our sin so we could be reconciled to God and restored to our original design. As ambassadors, we carry this message of peace into the world, to people who desperately need it. Our purpose shifts from simply tending to creation to bringing the message of salvation to a lost and dying world.

Sin Corrupts, but Jesus Restores
We are made in God's image, designed to reflect His character. Sin, however, corrupts that image, separating us from God and leading us to dishonor Him. But God, in His great love, sent Jesus to be our representative, dying in our place so that we could be part of His new creation. Through Jesus, we die to our old life and are made new, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live for God’s Kingdom. As we mature in Christ, our purpose becomes clear: to be ambassadors for Christ, taking the message of reconciliation into the world.

Moving Forward in Christ
What does this mean for us today? It means focusing on our spiritual formation in Christ. What is your next step? Perhaps it’s confession and prayer, or maybe you need to forgive someone or take up the discipline of Bible reading. Maybe it’s time to share the Gospel with a friend who is searching for purpose. Our spiritual growth equips us to be better ambassadors for Christ, able to share the Good News with others.

Though sin may distort God's image in us, it does not have the final word. God's love for His creation remains, and He has made a way for us to be renewed—through Jesus. Our true identity is found in Him, and as we walk with Christ, we become more like the people God created us to be.

Identity: Created in God’s Image

 

There’s a funny, and likely untrue, story about Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, visiting a retirement community. As she made her way through, shaking hands with the residents, she encountered a woman who didn’t seem to recognize her. Thatcher asked, “Do you know who I am?” The woman replied, “No, but if you ask that nurse over there, she usually knows.”

This humorous exchange highlights a deeper truth: many of us go through life asking, “Who am I?”

It's not uncommon to feel lost or uncertain about our identity. Our culture constantly pushes us to conform, to find our worth in achievements, appearances, careers, or possessions. In the midst of this, we can lose sight of who we really are.

Thankfully, there is One who knows exactly who we are: the God who created us.

The Questions We All Ask

Life’s big questions—Where did I come from? Who am I? Why am I here? How should I live? Where am I going?—highlight our search for identity. Trying to find the answers to these questions drives much of what we do. Whether it’s searching for meaning in careers, relationships, or even hobbies, at the root of it all, people are trying to discover their identity and ultimately their place in the world.

Thankfully, we have good news: the Bible provides answers. In a world where people are searching for identity, the Bible tells us who we are, why we’re here, and what our purpose is.

Beginning at Creation: You Are Not an Accident

The answers we are searching for are found at the beginning, in Genesis, with creation. It’s important to remember that we are not here by accident. God created us intentionally and with purpose. We can discover answers to life’s biggest questions as we come to understand the very reason God created us.

The account of creation found in Genesis is not just a story about how the world came to be; it's a declaration of who created the world and why. God made everything—space, skies, water, land, animals, and plants—and then, in a deliberate and special moment, He created us.

Let’s look at Genesis 1:26-27:

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”  

So God created man in His own image;  

He created him in the image of God;  

He created them male and female. (CSB)

What It Means to Bear God’s Image

Everything we see around us was created by God. But what makes human beings special? According to Scripture, it is the fact that we are created in the image of God.

But what does it mean to be made in His image and likeness? 

1. Representation: The term "image" in Hebrew is the same word used for "idol." Just as idols in ancient times were meant to represent gods, we are meant to represent God. In the ancient world, people believed that the gods worked through idols. In the same way, God works through us. We are His representatives on earth.

   

2. Authority: In many ancient cultures, kings were considered to be in the image of the gods, representing them and exercising their authority. Similarly, we are given the authority to act on God’s behalf. We are to rule over creation, taking care of it as stewards, reflecting God’s character in all we do.

3. Ambassadors: Kings would place statues of themselves in conquered lands to show their dominion. As God’s image bearers, we are like these statues, evidence that this is God's world. Our presence declares His sovereignty and points others to Him.

Dominion and Responsibility

To be made in God’s image also means we are given dominion over creation. This isn't about exploitation but about stewardship. God didn’t finish all the work in the Garden of Eden—He left some of it for us. We are to arrange, cultivate, and care for the world by wisely using creation’s resources and loving those around us.

The story of the Bible starts in a garden and ends in a city. This reality shows humanity’s role in continuing God’s work of bringing order and life to creation. In order to rule well, we need to align our hearts and minds with God’s wisdom and character — His love, generosity, compassion, and mercy.

Created Male and Female

Both men and women bear God’s image. While God is not gendered, He created humans male and female to reflect different aspects of His nature. As we come together, in marriage and in community, we are able to represent God even more fully. Each of us, individually and collectively, is responsible for reflecting God's image in the world.

Our Fallen Image

Unfortunately, sin has marred the image of God in us. In Genesis 3, we see that instead of being content with being like God, Adam and Eve wanted to be *equal* to God, deciding for themselves what was good and evil. This is the essence of sin: trying to replace God with our own wisdom. As a result, the image of God in people has been corrupted.

Today, we see the evidence of this everywhere—people redefining good and evil based on personal desires. This is why we desperately need the Holy Spirit to restore us to who God created us to be. Only through His guidance can we reconnect to God and live out our purpose.

Living as God’s Image Bearers

To bear God's image is more about purpose and responsibility than it is about a special quality that we possess. To bear God’s image means to live as His representatives in the world. To do this well, we need God’s character, wisdom, and guidance. We need the Holy Spirit to help us live out the values of love, justice, and mercy that reflect God's heart. The Bible is essential in this process because it reveals God’s will and wisdom to us.

The Challenge

God created us to exercise dominion over creation. To do this well, we must reflect His character and wisdom. This is our calling, our purpose, and our identity. We are to represent God wherever we go and in whatever we do, from the way we interact with others to how we care for the world around us.

Here is a challenge for you: Honor others as fellow image bearers. To do this, you need to pray and ask God to help you see people as He sees them. Let’s represent God well in all that we do.

We are God’s representatives, created in His image to reflect His character. Our calling is to show the world who God is by demonstrating His character. But because sin has corrupted that image, we need God to restore us. That is why we put our faith in Jesus and let the Holy Spirit guide us so we can be people who represent God in the world.

** I used ChatGPT to take my sermon notes and generate a blog post. ** 

The Foundation for Choosing

 

“Our choices either move us toward God and all the pleasure that comes in Him or steer us away from Him to a life of shame and defeat.”  

— Erwin McManus, Seizing Your Divine Moment

The direction of our lives is shaped by the choices we make. While many of the decisions we make today may seem insignificant, some will have a lasting impact on the rest of our lives. This is why it’s crucial to have a strong foundation to guide us in making the right choices.

That foundation is the Bible—God’s Word.

As our Creator, God knows what is best for us. His Word is designed to help us navigate life in a way that demonstrates His character. This is how we live the life God created us to live.

Consider what Jesus said about building our lives on the foundation of His teachings:

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.” — Matthew 7:24-27 (CSB)

If we are going to follow Jesus, there are three key actions we must choose to take.

1. Choose to Listen. 

We must decide to listen to Jesus. We can easily choose to ignore His words and neglect reading God’s Word altogether. We might also hear God’s wisdom and choose not to act on it. But when we refuse to listen, we will miss out on the life God wants for us.

2. Choose to Trust.

Next, we must choose to trust what Jesus says. Trust is an essential element of faith. It moves us beyond simply believing that what God says is true to living in accordance with it. When we trust Jesus, we declare our confidence that His way of life is better than our own. As we trust Jesus and experience the life He offers, our faith grows, enabling us to trust Him more, even when life becomes difficult.

3. Choose to Change.

Finally, we must choose to change the way we live. It’s one thing to trust Jesus when His words make sense to us, but true obedience involves being willing to follow Him even when it challenges our own understanding. Change requires admitting, “I was wrong, and I’m ready to do things Your way.” Acknowledging our mistakes is never easy, but it is essential for spiritual growth. It is also the only way we can leave behind our old ways and commit to following Jesus’s path.

If we want to experience the fullness of life that God created us to enjoy, we need a foundation for making decisions. That foundation should be the Bible. Choose today to be a person of God’s Word.