(Scriptures from John chapter 14)
I have been watching a professor of Psychology on you tube, and he makes some valid points about human nature and how we can change our ways of thinking, he has said that Jesus was right in things that he says, but, so far*, he has not said the most crucial thing – that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (verse 6). Jesus said this! You believe it or you don’t! He goes on to say that no-one comes to the father except by him. He also says to Phillip when he asked Jesus to show him the Father and he will be satisfied, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Phillip? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and he is in me? The words say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and he in me…..’ Which as I understand it means, God the Father dwells in Jesus and speaks through him. The evidence is in his works. (verse 11)
‘He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will him and manifest myself to him.’ (verse 21)
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have Loved you.’ (John 15:12)
In chapter 14, Jesus talks about himself, the Father, who is greater than Jesus. (Verse 28), and the Holy Spirit, (counsellor. Verse25). He is telling us that God exists! Not only does he exist, but he loves and cares for us! You believe it or not. Jesus brings hope and peace into our lives because we know we are not alone in this world. He paid the price of our failings and weaknesses on the cross and bought us life in abundance** We have a creator who loves us dearly and cares how we feel, how we think and how we behave. He experiences life as we know it through Jesus. Jesus has been tempted and suffered as much as we have – he knows exactly what life is like! He now intercedes for us to the Father. (verse 16).
Personally, I don’t think we can change without Jesus, and I think that the more we try and fail, the more we fade away into confusion, depression, emptiness, and, for many, suicide.***
But with Jesus we have hope!!! His words in us are like life giving water and bread for the soul. We can share them with others in our words and actions, which is what Jesus asks us to do.
It boils down to this…do you believe him or not?
This is how I understand my God.
Read for yourself, see what you think.
*I have only seen a couple of videos so far, so I cannot say any more at the moment. If I see anymore I'll let you know.
**Not just monetary…in fact not often monetary, because wealth tends to corrupt us, but abundant in love, hope, patience, forgiveness, joy – even in difficult circumstances, because we know God is! He is real He exists, and he loves us with a passion.
***Listen to ‘It’s a slow fade’ by Casting crowns. (We can’t always choose what we see, especially when we are young, but as adults we can choose who to follow and what we do).