Published 11/20/19
Read Romans 5:6-9
"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."
Reflect
What has Jesus done for us? Why is this our true source of happiness?
Happiness is easy to come by these days. We've all felt the pleasure that comes from buying something we wanted. We all have our favorite comedians who make us laugh. And in the shady parts of town there are even pills to buy to make us feel good. Producing good feelings is easy--yet holding on to them is hard.
Buying a big-screen TV will make you feel good for a little while. Who doesn't enjoy showing off a brand-new TV to their neighbors? But a TV has never solved a couple's marital problems, and let's face it, credit card bills are a big downer. And, yeah, drugs can make a person feel happy, but that's only till the dose wears off and whatever pain was being chased away comes back. Isn't there a way to find lasting happiness?
Would you believe me if I said that religion is the answer? That, if you commit yourself to spending fifteen minutes a day in reading the Bible and reciting a prayer, and also attending church on Sunday you'll be happy? Well, since you're already at the NotReligion.com website, you've probably guessed that religion is not the answer.
If following the rules and regulations of a religion were enough to make a person happy, we'd have achieved that a long time ago. Finding happiness can only come from restoring our relationship with God. You say, "But I don't have a relationship with God." That's right, because it's been broken by sin. And because it's been broken you will never be able have lasting happiness until it's restored.
That's the reason Jesus came to earth: not to start a religion, but to restore a relationship. And even today we can have that relationship renewed if we turn to Him and admit that our lives are broken without Him.
Pray
Lord Jesus, deepen my relationship with You--and let that be the source of my happiness. Thank you for your forgiveness. Amen.
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