The Divine Invitation
By: Kristen L. McNulty
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I'm sure there are a number of people reading this right now, who if asked, would say they are a Christian. After all, if you're hearing this show, chances are you're listening to it on a Christian radio station. Maybe you attend youth group or church once a week. You know who Jesus is. You've accepted Him into your life. You call yourself a Christian.
Would you be surprised if I told you there's more to Christianity than that? You've probably heard before that there's a lot more to Christianity than a get out of hell free card. But do you believe it? Do you live it?
The Bible tells a greater story than one just of escaping the flames. The Bible is a love story that stretches thousands of years- that started with a Father creating His children, climaxed at a sinless son of God giving His life, and extends today to the offer of grace to each one of us.
But even beyond that offer of everlasting life, we are all invited to enter into a relationship of epic proportions. A relationship that's more like a spontaneous dance than it is a routine A relationship where we are being pursued by the lover of our souls- Christ Jesus.
The invitation is there. The question is will you accept it?
You see there is a big difference between accept Christ and the penalty He paid for our sins and accepting Christ and the relationship that He brings. It's very easy to accept a one way ticket to heaven, but if in your haste to do so, you miss out on the relationship aspect, then you're really missing one of the most valuable parts of the gift!
1 John 4:16 says: "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."
Let me repeat that last sentence: "Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."
The living God of the universe lives in you. And not only does He reside in your heart once you accept Him, but He wants to be a part of your life. He wants to become even more than a saviour- your best friend and your lover.
I know we don't often think of God this way, but it's true. one of the most quoted bible verses said at weddings it says: "And husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church." I think more than a commandment or guideline for marriage, here God is showing us something very profound: He is relating His love to being not just equal, but greater than the love a husband has for a wife.
We all crave romantic love. It's something that causes girls to swoon and guys to chase. But in the Bible and in Christ, we find that whether we're married or single, we're all caught up in this amazing love story that includes the creator of Heaven and Earth chasing after us in the greatest love story ever told.
Sadly enough, too many people live their lives and miss out on this part of the equation. We put God in the box of savoir or sometimes even Lord, but forget about lover.
The truth of the matter is, the same God who created the universe, the same God who died on the cross for our sins, the same God who offers each of us eternal life, loves us all so much. And in that, wants to know us: inside and out. He wants to walk with you through every part of your life, good or bad, in the same way a husband and wife walk through life.
Celebrating the joyous times, clinging to one another in the trials, sharing life and love together.
The relationship offer is there, the chase of God can be seen around us: in the sunsets, in the miracles, in the joys, in the blessings in the wonderful Word we've been given. So will you open your heart and soul to the One who wants to not only be your friend, but your lover?
Take His hand and let Him lead you through a wonderful love story that will capture your heart and cause your soul to sing. Can you hear it? Can you see Him? He's right here in this moment and He's asking you to dance.
This devotional was aired as a part of the Making A Difference Christian Radio Show.