Why do I feel like we’re skipping this vital part?

For years that simple question had me worried and concerned. And I feel it’s more important that we realise.

It was at church when I realised this question had formed in my heart. The preacher was speaking of the greatness of God, how his love covers everything. And while I think this part is important, I feel that it means we miss us.

The message of the Gospel is amazing, God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us so that we can live with God forever. The keen eye will notice that that last sentence mirrors John 3:16, apart from one thing. And that’s what I think we’re missing.

If you haven’t worked it out I’ll spell it out for you, I feel that we are missing our part the deal.

Our part of the deal is personal, we must believe. It’s up to you. Only you can choose if you believe in Jesus or not. No one can choose for you.

Growing up in a Christian home I always knew about God and what Jesus did on the cross. My parents took me to church on Sundays and I met many great friends there. But as I grew up the Gospel message was something I knew. It wasn’t something I believed.

When I first believed in Jesus my eyes were opened. It was then that I realised why it was so important that I believed. Me, not my parents.

Which is why I’m a bit concerned when people skip over our part of the deal, the fact is that we must believe the Gospel message ourselves to receive eternal life.

I know that this decision is the turning point. It’s the point where we leave our sinful self behind and become a new creation in Jesus.

Without this decision we continue to live in sin, and don’t receive eternal life. The deal is invalid if we don’t believe, just like an unsigned contract. We don’t receive God’s forgiveness or eternal life.

It’s that simple.