The Search for Significance

20 The Search For Significanceing, at least in part, in yourself. You may bethinking, "Isn't that arrogant to say you are 100%sure?" Indeed, it would be arrogance if you weretrusting in yourself your abilities, your actionsand good deeds — to earn your salvation.However, if you are no longer trusting your ownefforts but are trusting in the all-sufficient paymentof Christ, then 100% certainty is a responseof humility and thankfulness.Reflect on a second question: If you were to dietoday and stand before God, and He were to askyou, "Why should I let you into heaven?", whatwould you tell Him? Would you mention your abilities,church attendance, kindness to others,Christian service, abstinence from some particularsin, or some other good deeds? Paul writes toTitus,"But when the kindness of God ourSavior and His love for mankind appeared,He saved us, not on the basis ofdeeds which we have done in righteousness,but according to His mercy~" (Titus3:4,5).We must give up our own efforts to achieverighteousness and believe that Christ's death andresurrection alone are sufficient to pay for our sinand separation from God.Perhaps you have intellectually believed thatJesus Christ lived 2000 years ago, performed miracles,died on the cross, and was raised from thedead. Perhaps you have even felt close to God attimes in your life. But Biblical faith is more thanintellectual assent or warm emotions. Consider theanalogy of a wedding. An engaged couple may intellectuallyknow they want to marry each other,and they probably feel very close to one another,but until they willfully say, "I do," to each other,they are not married. Many people are at this

The Origin Of The Search 21point in their relationship with Christ. They needto say, "I do," to Him.If there is any question about whether youhave conclusively accepted Christ's substitutionarydeath to pay for the wrath you deserve for yoursins, take some time to think about the two questionswe have examined, and reflect on His loveand forgiveness. Then, respond by trusting inChrist and accepting His payment for your sins.You can use this prayer to express your faith:Lord Jesus, I need You. I want You tobe my Savior and Lord. I accept Yourdeath on the cross as the complete paymentfor my sins. Thank You for forgivingme and giving me new life. Help meto grow in my understanding of Your loveand power so that my life will bringhonor to You. Amen.The moment you trustthings happen to you:Christ, many wonderful— All your sins are forgiven: past, present,and future (Colossians 2:13,14).— You become a child of God (John 1:12,Romans 8:15).— You receive eternal life (John 5:24).— You are delivered from Satan's domain andtransferred into the kingdom of Christ(Colossians 1:13).— Christ comes to dwell within you(Colossians 1:27, Revelation 3:20).— You become a new creation (II Corinthians5:17).— You are declared righteous by God (IICorinthians 5:21).— You enter into a love relationship with God(I John 4:9-11).— You are accepted by God (Colossians 1:19-22).