For years, I’ve merely studied the Bible and written what I’ve learned. I’ve been encouraged by so many who study with me.

But others, including some friends and family, have not liked what I have written on things like marriage, abortion, gender identity, homosexuality etc.

Most are fairly kind in their
disagreement, but I’ve also received unkind comments and threatening private messages.

It’s seems that an increasing number of people want to take on the role of defining what is right and what is wrong, and the suggestion that we should live our lives by by biblical principles, such as denying self and repentance, is offensive to them.

Following Jesus means total surrender of what you feel and think to what God says and does. It means a total death to self will when it opposes God’s will.

And let’s face it, “a total death to self-will” doesn’t sound appealing, it’s quite offensive on the surface to ALL of us, except it’s the only place real peace is found.

I know this. I tried to live my way instead of God’s way, and I came up empty and miserable for a long time.

That’s why I write the things I do, and I suspect it’s why others share these things.

It’s not that we are pushing for some moral behavior, it’s because we were dead and now we really live. We were sick in our sin and found HOPE!

Yes, we all know what sin is like. It’s fun and satisfying for awhile, until it just isn’t.

Oh, like a drug, we try all sorts of things and lifestyles, some even “switch” genders, looking for the thing that will make us happy; but eventually (if we are honest) we realize nothing in this world can truly satisfy.

And if, when we come to the end of all our attempts to find joy, or just give up thinking we can numb our pain with another drug, another worldly accomplishment, or another human relationship…if then, we turn our eyes to Jesus, we find there is peace and hope and joy that cannot be taken away.

I found this, and so have many others, who call themselves Christians, and these are who this world increasingly maligns. The Bible tells us this will just get worse as we approach the end of days. Christ followers will face more and more criticism and persecution.

So, why on earth would we keep talking about a Bible and a Savior that is so politically incorrect and worldly scorned?

Why? Because, like those disciples who came before us, and would not deny Christ even when facing death, we who’ve been saved by the blood of the Lamb “can’t help speaking about what we’ve seen and heard”! (Acts 4:20)

Jesus is LIVING WATER that truly satisfies!
He is REST for our souls!
He is HOPE for our hearts.

But, as the Bible says, all of this comes when daily we deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus. (Matt 16:24)

None of us, with any sin struggle, thinks it’s easy! We get that.

But, the freedom and joy we find when we daily surrender our way and our sin to God’s better way is so much better than the sin ever was! (who cares WHAT that sin was).

Friends, we who’ve been washed by the blood of the Lamb aren’t judging you for your sin! We don’t care what that sin is, we simply believe that the One who conquered death is the One who defines sin and does so in His Word…and He is the Only One that can save!

Do you know Him? Have you surrendered your life to Him?

It’s supernatural, but it’s incredibly true, that when we die to self and follow Christ we truly live!

whataSavior

peace

theonlyway

kimjaggers.com

PS- I’m praying about where to study next. I’d so appreciate your prayers.