A Song of Invitation

Someone asked me recently what the difference was between what their religion taught and what I was sharing with them from the Bible. We both believed that Jesus died on the cross. We both believed that doing right was important. We both understood that there was a God in heaven who created all things and would judge righteously. What was the difference? It came down to relationship.

Most religions, as did his, teach that each must work to attain righteousness with God. There is no sure hope of heaven because one can only hope to appease a holy and wrathful God. My new friend believed in God’s mercy enough to think He might forgive him and maybe let him into heaven someday because he had tried his whole life to do good. Religion is exhausting and demanding.

Jesus says, Come. Not work, not try, not give, not do. He says, Come. Of the billions of people on this planet, He fixes His eyes on you and says, “Come, my beloved.” In that call is an unconditional, eternal, unchangeable, unshakeable, individual offer to know Him and to be known of Him. Once His offer is accepted, He never abandons the relationship. Salvation is not just an offer of heaven for eternity, it is an offer of friendship with the Creator of the Universe in this life and the one to come!

And when our love grows cold, His voice still calls us back to Him. Come.

Even as Christians, we can fall back into old patterns of religion. Work. Try. Do. Give. He calls us back to His side. He does not want our righteousness. He never did. He wants our heart ignited with His righteousness and our hand firmly fixed in His.

Have you grown cold and distant to the Lover of your soul who calls you back to His side? Come and sit at His feet a while. He waits patiently for His beloved one.

Have a beautiful day, my friends.

Erica B.