Hell, Heaven & How To Get There By Pete BriscoeSample

What a Genuine Relationship with Jesus Looks Like

I don’t know what I’ve been livin’ on, but it’s not enough to fill me up… I want the best of both worlds, an’ honey, I know what it’s worth. If we could have the best of both worlds, we’d have heaven right here on earth. Woo! — Eddie Van Halen, “Best of Both Worlds”

For some, Jesus is a truck stop on the road of life. They just stop in for a fill-up and get on with life as usual. It’s Jesus when you need Him and everything you want on earth, too.

The problem is that Scripture doesn’t say that’s how it works at all. Just because you said a prayer doesn’t mean you know Jesus. I call this the “pass-Him-by” mythstake. Those who truly know Christ are marked by an inspirational life change.

Eternal life starts the day you believe in Jesus Christ and receive Him into your life. Your life becomes His life, and His life becomes yours (Galatians 2:20) First, this changes your attitude.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 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 6:10-12)  

Second, your behavior changes.

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  (John 4:13-14) 

The person who is comfortable passing by Jesus and going on with life as normal would be wise to stop and question whether or not they know Him at all. It’s far better to search your heart today rather than live with the consequences of the “pass-Him-by” mythstake in eternity.

Holy Spirit, are You in me? Am I in You? Jesus, I embrace You as my Savior and Life right now. From the inside out, transform my attitude and my actions. Amen.