​Simple steps to the biggest commitment of your life

The basic truth that underlies all life and being is found in Genesis chapter 1 - in the beginning God created the universe.  God is the source of all the life that pulsates through the entire universe for all time and eternity.  Yet, strangely, one of the names the Bible uses for God is a plural word - Elohim - which translates as Gods, a hint at the very beginning of the Bible that God is not just one solitary Being presiding single-handedly over His creation; God is a Fellowship, Companionship, at the very heart of the universe, and this is confirmed by Jesus when he speaks of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (John 14:16).  Fellowship generates love, and the love at the centre of the universe overflows to embrace all humanity (John 3:16). 
 
So we human beings will never find peace and wholeness until we share in the loving fellowship of God. 
 
Life on earth is enriched in fellowship with one another, and so our lives will be really fulfilled as we share in the loving fellowship of God, who embraces the whole universe for time and eternity.  Here are three simple steps to help us find oneness with God and fullness of life. 
 
A The Bible is quite ruthless and compels us to face reality, and the first reality is ALL HAVE SINNED and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23. Rom 5:13). We must measure ourselves not against our neighbours, but against Jesus, and there is no doubt that we do fall short. We are sinners, but nevertheless we are precious in the sight of God, and he is doing something to help us. 
 
B BEHOLD I stand at the door and knock (Rev 3:20). Someone is calling us to better things - to a better and more fulfilling life. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) are the basic standard of civilised living from the beginning of time to all eternity - for both sexes, for people of all races, religions, cultures and colours. They are condensed by Jesus into two foundation stones - Love God and your neighbour as yourself (Matt 22:17). 
 
C COME UNTO ME ... AND I WILL REFRESH YOU (Matt 11:28).  The only way  forward is to come to Jesus and confess (1 John 1:8).  If we confess our sins we are forgiven, and we can stand up as 'new creatures in Christ Jesus' (2 Cor 5:17).  We are not as yet perfect, but newly envisioned, newly empowered; we are now the friends of God (2 Cor 5:20), working together with God for His good purposes (1 Cor 3:9, 2 Cor 6:1, Heb 3:10). The Holy Spirit will lead us forward to grasp more and more of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus (John 16:13), secure in the knowledge that GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON SO THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES MAY NOT DIE BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE (John 3:16, 1 John 4:10). 
 
​So, as friends of God and disciples of Jesus, we are called to be witnesses for Jesus in the words we speak and in the lives we live, knowing that Jesus will be with us to the end of time (Matt 28:20). 
 
Here are some simple steps to help us keep near to Jesus - 
 
1 Have fellowship with Christian friends and worship regularly with them at  church.
2 Pray each day.
3 Read a passage of Scripture each day.
4 Give time, talents and money to the work of the church, and to those good  causes that the Lord lays on your heart.
5 Speak and live, at home and at work, as Jesus would have you do. 

​And so, as Tiny Tim said, "God bless us all". 
 
Rev'd. F. Bernard Dodd