By Melissa McLaughlin
Alone
The accident should have taken my life. As each ominous moment unfolded, I called on the only name that can save. Jesus.
I was alone in the car. Alone to witness what should have been my last breath. Alone to experience a miraculous rescue by God. Alone in the aftermath of crushed metal and shattered glass. Alone to thank God for granting me another day of life.
Though my life was spared that day, there is a day coming when each one of us will take our last breath. And every one of us will stand before God. Alone.
Jesus and the Bible
In recent years, the journey of faith in Christ has become an uphill battle for many followers of Jesus. Countless churches, pastors and teachers, who once believed the unchanging truth of the Bible, have decided to follow the world’s fleeting opinions instead. Leaving the Rock of ages to walk on shifting sand. Discarding God’s divinely created order to suit earthly desires.
Many say, “I believe in Jesus, but I don’t agree with the Bible.”
I wonder, how can we believe in Jesus, but not believe His Word?
If you told a friend, “I believe in you, I just don’t believe what you say,” how would that be received?
When we meet Jesus, what will He say?
Understanding God and His Word
The study of God’s Word, the Bible, should be based on our relationship to and dependence upon God. When we do not agree with or understand His Word, we should approach our reading of the Bible with a humble heart and a desire to know God better, in all His fullness and deity.
He is the Creator. He is holy. He is eternal. He is God. And we are not. So… He sets the terms.
Thankfully, God not only made us, but He also loves us and sent His Son to shed His blood on the cross, paying the penalty for our sins and purifying us for heaven. He has done it all. His justice stands. His mercy saves.
Still each person must choose to receive Christ as Savior and LORD by faith, for himself or herself. God will not force Himself on anyone.
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Although I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home, by God’s grace, as a young college student I became fully convinced of the truth of the Bible. I have decided to follow Jesus ever since. Not for my family. But for myself.
A Few Reasons I Follow Jesus
Jesus is the Word. The Living Word of God.
John 1:1-3 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Jesus is God.
John 8:58 – Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
That means, Jesus is “I AM”, Yahweh, the Eternal God. As part of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) Jesus directed the writing of the Bible from beginning to end.
The Scriptures are the Spoken Word of God.
Matthew 4:4 – But He [Jesus] answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ “
Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 in this statement.
Jesus believed the scriptures. So I will, too.
God’s Word is TRUTH.
Psalm 119:160 – The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
Psalm 119:89 – Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.
John 17:17 – Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.
Truth is seen by all in His Creation
Romans 1:18-20 – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Psalm 19:1-4 – The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Jesus is the TRUTH.
John 14:6 – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus is Savior AND Judge.
The reason we need a Savior is because one day soon we will meet a Judge. God is holy, pure and perfect. Nothing unholy can remain in His presence or God’s absolute goodness would be compromised. The blood of Jesus atones for our sin and we receive His righteousness by faith.
In Christ, justice is upheld and mercy is extended for all who will humble themselves and accept the offer.
Clearly, Jesus came the first time as Savior because next time… we will meet Him as Judge.
Hebrews 9:27 – And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.
2 Timothy 4:1-2 – I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
John 3:16-21 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.
Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
Jesus gave me life and Jesus will meet me at the end of my life.
Revelation 22:12-19 – “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Jesus is…
- The Word
- “I AM” – Yahweh, LORD, Eternal God
- His Word is Truth
- Truth is Seen in His Creation
- The Way, The Truth, The Life
- The Savior – Messiah, Christ
- The Judge
- The Alpha and Omega
- And so much more!
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Recently, I was feeling discouraged about all who have departed from the truth of the Bible. I began to pray and express my sorrow to the Lord. This song came to mind, “I have decided to follow Jesus.” I believe the Holy Spirit was encouraging me with these lyrics, for the song continues…
“Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back, no turning back. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back.”
Gratefully, there are still some to walk with us as we follow Christ and His Word, the Bible.
In the end, however, each person must choose to accept or reject Jesus Christ as LORD of their lives and LORD of the truth He revealed in His Word. And on that Day, every one of us will stand alone before Him to give an account for the choice we have made.
I have chosen God’s mercy through Christ. I have decided to follow Jesus. Won’t you join me?
Additional Resources:
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus – Song Lyrics
By S. Sundar Singh
I have decided to follow Jesus…
No turning back, no turning back.The world behind me, the cross before me…
No turning back, no turning back.Though none go with me, still I will follow…
No turning back, no turning back.My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus…
No turning back, no turning back.Will you decide now to follow Jesus…
No turning back, no turning back.
How I Became a Christian By Melissa McLaughlin
A God Who is Both: Loving and Holy, Savior and Judge By Melissa McLaughlin
Do You Ever Wonder if the World is Coming to an End? By Melissa McLaughlin
You are spot on! How can you believe Jesus and not the Word of God, who is Jesus? Sometimes people make my jaw drop with what comes out of their mouths. Good post!
Thanks for your feedback! I can’t follow the logic either. In many cases, there is an attempt to make Jesus in our image instead of the other way around. Praying for hearts to be humbled before Him as Savior, before we met Him as LORD. Bless you!
I pray in agreement with you! Blessings to you and your family!
Great post. I too will continue to follow Jesus even when no one else stands with me. It is difficult to watch so many in churches fall away from the truth only found in Jesus. Thanks for sharing Melissa.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Yvonne! I appreciate your kind encouragement and support always. It is truly heartbreaking to watch the falling away. You worded it so well, the truth is only found in Jesus. Period. Thankful I can walk with you in His truth!
God bless you sister. I loved reading your testimony .
Thank you, Alvis, for the kind words of encouragement! And thank you, Jesus, for saving me!
The LORD be magnified
Hallelujah! Glory to the LORD Jesus! God bless you, Nelson!
Amen Missy!! Jesus constantly upheld the Scriptures as the Word of God. If Jesus confirmed the Scriptures there is no debate!! I’m not sure how one can come to a belief in Jesus outside of the Bible? If you reject the Bible you are rejecting God. Thank you for this Blog!! It is so well written and encouraging for me to have read it.
Your Brother in Law & Spiritual Brother 🙂
Thank you, Patrick, for the words of encouragement! I agree with you, to reject the Bible is to reject God. It is powerful how you said, “If Jesus confirmed the Scriptures, there is no debate.” That says it all. Praying for more eyes to be opened and more hearts to long for Truth! God bless you, brother!
This is beautiful. I am glad you are here to share your story and your love for Christ. 🙂
Thank you, Melissa! It is a miracle that I am alive. Only God could have saved me. Honestly, I am still in awe at the whole thing. May we use each precious breath to tell how Jesus rewrote our endings! So grateful for Jesus.
How arrogant of us to think we know better than God. Very important message here.
So true, Nancy. So very true. I once read this quote: God man human beings in His image. And ever since that day, human beings have tried to make God in our image instead.
Your article reminds me of the solid truth in Scripture that we can build our lives on in Christ. All else is sinking sand, as you comment early on in the post. It is hard I find as the only practising Christian in my home; I long for my husband, daughter and son to find their salvation in Jesus Christ, but at this time they seem to reject Him. Still I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in the faith wherever they may be in the world, and look forward to the day when faith will become sight and I will see Him face to face.
Oh Carolyn, my heart goes out to you. I long for this with you and am pausing to pray right now for lost loved ones in both of our lives.
I agree with you, it is a precious gift to have brothers and sisters in Christ, even from afar, to help us keep following Jesus and His unchanging Word.
When all true believers gather together in heaven, what a glorious Day that will be. May we keep spurring one another on in our most holy faith. God bless you and your family, Carolyn.
How true it is people rejecting God’s word and Jesus’ teachings. I had a friend to do that and when I talked to them they only got angry, even though I showed them what people say about certain things. So happy for your wisdom you pour out in your blog posts.
God’s Word will stand forever. Praying for more people to see His eternal truth. God is merciful and good. God bless you.
Excellent piece about our Lord, Melissa. Having read about the falling away of many believers, I recently posted a similar blog about the reality of the Holy Spirit. We are called upon to speak the truth of God’s Word and God’s eternal qualities, to reach out to others. Well done, sister!
All glory to our Eternal God! It is always moving when the Lord puts a similar message on the hearts of different believers at the same time. May our hearts remain reverent and true to Him. No matter what others may choose. I will look for the similar piece you have written on your blog. Thank you for your steadfast faith in Christ and His Word. God bless you, Melinda!
I love all the scripture references that you use in this post. Thank you so much for sharing!
Praise God! And I thank God that it the scriptures were a blessing to you. I felt led by the Holy Spirit to simply make my point and then let God’s Word speak for itself. May my small words point to The Word, Jesus Christ and His written Word, the Bible.
Melissa, this is beautiful and powerful and scriptural! I agree with your thought about believing in Jesus but not the full counsel of God’s Word. How can this be since they are one and the same. After all, following Jesus is not about me and my opinions, it’s about the One who said follow Me. Your points and Bible passages made we want to shout! A thousand Hallelujahs!
Karen, thank you for sharing your feedback and insights. I appreciate how you pointed out that Jesus and the full counsel of His Word are truly one and the same. My thoughts, words and opinions are passing away, nothing but a flash on the timeline of eternity. But Gods Word will stand forever. May we plant our feet on His Word and remain true to Him. A thousand Hallelujahs to our Savior and His Word!
I have trouble logging in so I’ll keep this short in case I lose it. I will follow. No turning back, no, no turning back.
I’m sorry the log in was difficult. Thank you for persevering so you could join the discussion! No turning back. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
This is such a powerful article, Melissa. How can we say we believe in Jesus, yet pick and choose from His sayings what we will or will not believe when He IS the Word? There is an old Sara Groves song that touches on this.
“People are getting fit for truth
Like they’re buying a new tailored suit
Does it fit across the shoulders
Will it fade when it gets older…
And the Word was
And the Word is
And the Word will be…”
Joining in prayer with you for our loved ones to believe and follow Jesus with conviction. May we conform to Him and His Word rather than try to make Him fit us. I don’t have to understand all the “why’s”. Regardless, I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back!
Thank you, Sandra. All glory to God! I remember that Sara Groves song, that is the perfect illustration. The Word was, the Word is and the Word will be. Thank you for joining me in prayer to believe and follow Jesus, with sincere hearts, in spirit and in truth. HE is above us and will not conform to our wishes. But He has already proven He is worthy of our devotion by His truth and mercy poured out on the cross. No turning back!
Thank you for sharing your story…I am glad that you are okay after this accident. Wishing you blessings, and thank you for posting such an inspiring and beautiful post.
Thank you for the kind words, Linda! I am grateful to be alive and still in complete wonder at it all. God is powerful and can do things no man can imagine. I am living proof. God bless you!
Dear Melissa, I appreciate sharers of the Truth. Thank you.
I can’t imagine not loving God’s Word and not continuing to hide it in my heart. I need it. I need Him.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Dear Wendy, thank you for sharing your heart for God and His Word, which is Truth. You have spoken so beautifully of Him here. Like you, I desire to hide His Word in my heart. I need Him. His Word nourishes me. He is restoring and renewing me day by day. Blessings to you.