I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

This one verse is so offensive to so many. Every religion or belief system believes that they have the secret to inheriting a better afterlife. Some make it about following rules; others make it about making sure your good outweighs your bad. Christianity is way different. Its foundation is Jesus Christ. No matter what you’ve done, how you’ve lived, or how bad you think you are, Jesus says there is no amount of work that can undo it all. A person’s only hope is to put their trust in Him.

Now that I’ve been on the other side of this process for 26 years, I see the beauty of it all. In those early days of trying to be a “good” Christian, my efforts were so futile. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried, my efforts never produced heart change. If I chose to forego a sin, it was begrudgingly. Often times, I would complain to God. I would say stuff like, “My friends are out there having fun while I’m here alone reading Your Word.”

This went on for 5 years or so. Finally, I said the prayer that I believe changed everything: “Lord, if I’m going to change . . . You are going to have to change me.” For the first time in my life, I threw myself at His mercy. I really placed myself in His hands. There has been nothing like seeing Him literally change my heart’s desires. He really does all the work in a person’s heart. He changes people’s desires so they don’t have to keep His commands, they want to.

What about you? Are you still hoping that your good will outweigh your bad and that your afterlife will adjust accordingly. There is zero evidence in the Bible that this will happen. Adam and Eve sinned one time by simply breaking a dietary law and they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. God allows NO sin into His perfect Kingdom. That is scary because I’ve sinned and you’ve sinned.

So what do we do?

Trust Him. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

Later

Adam