If we live our lives without Jesus, we will not be okay. We will not be okay spiritually, mentally, emotionally, even physically. I speak as someone who tested it and found myself in extremely dangerous waters. Jesus saved me.
Think about it — Left to our own devices, we put ourselves first. We are perpetually offended. We do not forgive, leading to bitterness, resentment, and isolation, without community or the support we greatly need as humans. We even make decisions based on paranoid thinking that the enemy tries to convince us is correct JUST to separate us from community.
And unforgiveness takes an emotional and spiritual toll on us. It wreaks havoc on us mentally, psychologically and even physically. It creates bondage that demands freeing in order to carry on. We need a Savior — the one and only. We need Jesus.
Without love at the center of our thoughts, motives, and intentions, we can be downright scary, hurting others and ourselves. Meanwhile, our sin-debt just compounds, and the shame, guilt, and loathing too. This too creates bondage that demands freeing in order to carry on. We need a Savior — the one and only. We need Jesus.
The enemy is strategic, playing a game of chess for your very soul — every move, working to back you in a corner, isolated and locked in a prison.
The Bible says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
The enemy is crafty. He feeds on chaos and death. The Bible calls him a thief. He wants to rob you of peace, joy, health, and effectiveness. He wants to rob you of eternity with Jesus.
But when you invite Jesus into your life, it is check-mate for that prowling lion who seeks to feast on and devour you.
Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
When you repent to God for your sins and ask Jesus into your life, He heals you from the guilt and shame that weighs you down. He literally removes that from you. The Bible says, He blots out your transgressions (Isaiah 43:25). He removes your sins from you as far as the East is from the West (Psalm 103:12). You (we) literally get a fresh start. The Bible says you become a new creation. The old passes away from you and newness comes (2 Corinthians 5:17). You get a new life. I speak as one whose life was completely transformed when I was 21!
When you invite Jesus to be the Lord of your life, He literally fills you with His Holy Spirit that serves as a deposit from now until you go to heaven to be with Him. This is absolutely transformational for your eternity but also for your daily life. The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as our Counselor, a guide, a Comforter, and Advocate. And His counsel leads to peace and healthy relationships.
Jesus said, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:26-27).
This is why you can pray and receive direction, answers, clarity and peace — because Jesus gives you His Spirit – the Spirit of God – when you invite Him to be the Lord of your life.
You may be reading this today, knowing that you can no longer carry the weight of your shame and guilt, that you can no longer carry the weight of bitterness and self-loathing. And I want to tell you that you no longer have to.
You may also be thinking, though, that it is all too much… that you don’t know how to get from the darkness you are in right now to the lightness of Christ to live a Christian life, but I want to tell you that you do not have to.
You do not have to figure it all out. You don’t need to wait to go to Jesus until you are a little better. The truth is, you simply can’t do it on your own. You can’t fix yourself. You’ve tried.
There is one step you can take to change your life and your eternity: Release. Release it all. Relinquish control. Surrender to God. Ask Jesus become your Savior today.
Jesus IS light, and HE will purify your heart and fill you with His light. And He will send you His Holy Spirit – the Counselor, the guide – who will life the weight and begin to show you practical steps forward.
I know it can sound a little mind-blowing, but it really is true. When you give your life to Christ, something in you becomes new. You become transformed. You just need to release and step out in faith.
“For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Is today the day? Are you ready to surrender your sin, your shame, your guilt? Are you ready to become a new creation? Are you ready to trust God to show you the way to abundant life?
If so, I invite you to pray this prayer:
“Dear God, I confess that I have sinned. I have made a mess of things. I have gone my own way and messed things up. I no longer want to be my own god. I no longer want to serve myself. Jesus, I want to go your way. I invite you to be the Lord of my life. I ask you to forgive me. I ask you to save me. Please remove the pain and the shame from me. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, and heal me. Guide me. Lead me into life. And please show me the way to live and to walk with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
If you just prayed this, I want to congratulate you and welcome you to a new life! You made the most powerful and impactful decision you have ever made. And I want to encourage you to get support as you begin your journey with Jesus.
• Buy a Bible and download the Bible App. This is the most powerful way to begin walking with Jesus.
• If you are a woman, I invite you to join The Rooted Sisters Bible Study we are kicking off Thursday.
• We also have weekly Prayer meetings online each week and monthly hangouts.
• I am also starting a new small group on Next Steps for New Believers.
• And find a good, Bible-believing church. If you are in St. Louis, I can give you some recommendations.
I love you guys! But most importantly, Jesus loves you, and He loves in a way that never fails!
Sarah Guldalian 