Have you made up your mind about Jesus?

"Some years ago, a New Age writer dismissed my offer of a dialogue because, according to him, I had already made up my mind about Jesus. I suspect that he too had already made up his mind about Jesus. Of course he preferred the Jesus of the New Age and rejected the Christ of the Scriptures.

Many people reject the claims of Christ without really considering them carefully. Many of them simply have not read or heard a clear and cogent presentation of the fundamental facts."

"... (Many people) find it easier to discard (Christianity) than make the effort to investigate its credentials." (Stott, Preface to Basic Christianity)

Truth is, if you want to know who Jesus Christ is and why He matters so much to so many people including yours truly, and you're reading this blog, you have all it takes to find the truth. The internet is host to tons of free literature that will assist you in your search. But the question is, have you already made up your mind about Jesus? Have you made up your mind to ignore Him and not consider His claims and promises and Person and focus instead on 'more important things in life'? Have you decided that He doesn't deserve your time and attention or that He is whoever the religious priest, the atheist professor or the frenzied writer says He is? No matter who we think He is, there are some things that He didn't leave open for us to decide: And He still knocks at the door of your heart with increasing urgency, asking you to hear Him out, to listen to the Gospel for which He suffered and died, and believe in Him.

Basic Christianity by John Stott is a "careful and persuasive presentation of the Gospel:

1. Christ's Person
2. Man's Need
3. Christ's Work
4. Man's Response"

It is a "powerful tool (for the) thoughtful seeker of truth". I bought the little book for PhP100 in Fully Booked. I will be sharing what I learn from it in this blog. And now, final words to the seeker...

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in (Jesus') name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything (Jesus has) said to you." (John 14:26)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. " (James 1:5-8)

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:11)

Note: Unless otherwise stated, all quotes in this post are taken from the Foreword by Dr. Isabelo F. Magalit in the book Basic Christianity. Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Read information about the NIV HERE.