…The one who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he’s heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. (Jas. 1:25)
Hakim closed his eyes and waited for the crack of the gun. He was crouched, feet in the starting blocks, muscles twitching, ready for the race of his life. Bang! He had a great jump. A glance to his left and right told Hakim he was out in front. He listened for the sounds of the runners behind him. Strangely, he heard nothing. Something didn’t feel right. Hakim looked back and slowed. Where were the other runners? He looked up at the huge clock on the stadium marquee. Four o’clock. Four o’clock? Hakim had slowed to a trot. He looked around. Had he imagined the sound of the start gun? Had he been so focused that he didn’t notice that he was the only runner lined up? This wasn’t the right track. His race was at five o’clock. Hakim chuckled. At least he hadn’t missed his race. He laughed out loud! He was in the wrong race, on the wrong track!
When it comes to God and religion in general, there are almost as many ideas as there are people. It’s easy to be on the wrong track and in the wrong race. “Is there a God? If so, does He expect anything of me?” “If there is a God, why doesn’t He do something about the mess the world is in?” “If I wanted to talk to God, how would I do it?” “Which religion is right?” The Four Spiritual Laws simply explain how to get into the right race on the right track. They’re useful because they help us get a scriptural handle on our own salvation and they help us answer questions people may have from a scriptural perspective. I encourage you to meditate on these “laws” until you know them well. (Verses for each below)
1. God is love. He loves you and others. He wants a love relationship with each of us. That’s why the Great Commandments teach us to love God and our “neighbor” as ourselves.
2. There is a problem: sin separates people from God. Sin is simply breaking God’s moral laws summed up in the Ten Commandments. God is perfectly holy, but of all the people who have ever lived, only Jesus Christ was perfect. God requires that we turn away from sin (repent), but even though we try, we can never be perfectly righteous.
3. God provided a solution through Jesus Christ. He alone is the bridge between sinful man and a holy God. We cannot earn God’s favor or become right with the Lord on our own. Through Jesus, we can receive righteousness as God’s gift. When He died on the cross, Jesus took the penalty for our sin and God’s justice was satisfied. At the same time His love for us was demonstrated. God will forgive our sin when we ask Him in prayer (just talking with God) and, by faith accept Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord.
4. Receive salvation as a gift and begin to walk by faith. God doesn’t promise a life free of problems, but when we tell Him that we want to accept Jesus personally, turn from sin, and live for His glory, He hears us. By grace, He makes us His own. Through the Holy Spirit, He comes into our heart and makes it His home. He gives us faith as a gift, and we can know that our sins are forgiven. We are “born again” into His family. He begins cleansing our hearts. His promises are sure. We know God accepts us, and that we will spend eternity in heaven.
Lord, Your gospel is simple. Help me to know it so well that it becomes a part of me, so that I can naturally share it with someone in a way that they too can know You. Thank You, Lord.
Journaling: Carry a New Testament in your pocket or purse. Mark and label the verses. Review them often. All conversations about spiritual things will flow into one or more of these “laws”.
Other passages for your prayerful consideration:
Law 1: Mt. 22:36-40; Jn. 3:16-17; Ro. 5:8
Law 2: Ex. 20:1-17; Ro. 3:10, 19-25, 6:23
Law 3: Jn. 14:1-6; 1 Co. 15:1-6; 2 Co. 5:17, 21; Eph. 2:8-10
Law 4: Jn. 1:12 & 13, 3:3-8, 14:23; Ro. 8:14-16, 10:9-13; Rev. 3:20
Assurance: 1 Jn. 1:5-2:2, 3:1-3, 4:13-18, 5:9-15