"Why I Believe in Jesus"

John 6:66-69 "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, "Will ye also go away?" Then Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.""

So here was the piercing question in our class yesterday: "Why do you believe in Jesus Christ?" And "What would you say to someone who was not a Christian about why they should believe in Him?"

I can't say that I have really delved much into these questions... At first thought, you would say "Because the Bible says so." But is that the only justification that God has given us to share with others about why we believe? Hardly. So here, I would like to share with you the four reasons extended to me yesterday that we can use to reach others who are in doubt...

As a quick side note before I begin--Are you one of those in doubt? Are you one of those looking to atheism? agnosticism? philosophy? materialism? or false religion? Where will these things leave you at the end of your life? If you don't believe in Jesus Christ, where are you going to go? I challenge you to think about these questions in depth, read the rest of this post, and submerge yourself in prayer and the Bible. God is real... Amazingly real. You will see.

Reason #1: The Historical Fact.

Jesus Christ is a FACT of history. Do the research. He truly walked the face of this planet for 33 1/2 years and was crucified on a cross. Think about this: Even out dates revolve around the reality of Christ! (B.C.'"Before Christ", A.D. or Anno Domini translated is "In the year of our Lord")

"The impact of Christian religion in general, and in particular the behavior of the early church, is logically unexplainable without the reality of both Jesus Christ and His bodily resurrection." Think the people who saw Jesus after His resurrection were just seeing things? Did you know that he was seen by over 500 people?!?!! That's an awful lot of hallucinatin'!! These people died for the cause of Christ. People may live for a lie--but they will not die for one.

Reason #2: The Biblical Fact.

2 Timothy 3:16-17a "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect"

The Bible is the steadfast, rock solid Word of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance..."

Here is where we can say "The Bible says so!" : )

And with that being settled, the Bible also says that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus had a miraculous birth, an astounding, miracle-filled life, and a sacrificial death.

Reason #3: The Spiritual Fact.

John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

"Your human mind will never, by itself, logically and coldly turn to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord"

1 Corinthians 2:10-11 "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."

1 Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

The Holy Spirit shows us the Truth.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."

The Holy Spirit testifies to you.

1 John 5:10 "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son."

The Holy Spirit testifies in you.

Reason #4: The Personal Fact.

Read the verses listed at the beginning again. Peter knew the Truth.

"Beyond all logical proof (and there is PLENTY), we know because we know--we know Him personally and experientially."

How can you explain the life change of a person after salvation? You can't! God does it, miraculously and wonderfully.

Did you read Lauren's most recent Thankful Thursday post? She experienced it.

I can assure you, I have experienced it... That incredible, life-altering change that only comes from God. There are no doubts as to the reality and fact of Jesus Christ!!

Acts 26:17-18 "...now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

Jesus is real. It is the fact. It is indisputable and undeniable.

This is why I believe! : )

~Page