Finding Peace and Freedom Video provided by: TruthMedia Films

If I asked you to describe yourself, what would you say?

Would you tell me your job title or refer to your relationships – husband, wife, son, daughter, friend? Would you talk about your successes, or failures, your dreams or your past? These are parts of who you are, but you are more than what you do or where you live.

You are a human being who is loved by God. You are intelligent, beautiful, loved, and not alone.

Take a minute to think about that – God loves you, and not because of what you do. He loves you for who you are and will never leave you because of anything you’ve done. Isn’t that just the kind of love you’ve always dreamed about?

You might not think of yourself as exceptional, but you are. You are a hand-crafted original. God made you on purpose, no accidents of fate or chance. The Bible says that when God created man and woman He “saw everything that He had made, indeed it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31) God created you and He is interested in the details of your life. The Bible tells us that Gods knows each of us better than we know ourselves – he even knows how many hairs are on your head! (Matthew 10:30)

It’s pretty incredible to think about. The same God who created the stars and turns the colors of the leaves in Fall, created you. You are His masterpiece and He loves you. God created you to have a relationship with Him.

So, why does it sometimes feel like you and God aren’t on speaking terms?

You know what it’s like when you have an argument with a friend and there’s distance between you? It’s like that with God and us. God could have created us as robots that just did whatever we were told, but he didn’t. He gave us free will, the ability to choose. It’s because of his love for us. Love without choice isn’t love, it’s coercion. You can’t have any real relationship without choice.

So, as humans we get to choose, and in the very beginning we chose to go our own way. Sin entered the world and with it came a separation from God, a distance in our relationship with him. I know what you’re thinking, “Sin? But I’m a good person” Being a good person isn’t enough.

The word sin in the Greek comes from a word that means simply “missing the mark”. We can try really, really hard to be good people, but to be able to be in relationship with God we’d need to be perfect in our thoughts, attitudes and actions. We all know that’s not possible. The Bible tells us that the punishment for sin is death – eternal separation from God. We are all sinners but that is not where the story ends.

If God loves us, why would we perish? That’s a good question. God cannot just ignore our sin. God is just – he is concerned with right and wrong. The price of our sin is death – eternal separation from God – someone had to pay that price. God couldn’t take away the punishment. If he did that it would be like saying that sin isn’t really a problem. It would mean pretending that everything is okay between us instead of actually repairing the relationship.

Since God loves us, he does not want us to perish. So He sent His son Jesus to die in our place. Jesus, Himself divine; God in human form; God’s only son, lived a perfect life and was put to death on a cross. He died a death He didn’t deserve so we could live a life we couldn’t earn. God made an unthinkable sacrifice. There was a card years ago that said something like this:

“How much do you love me?” I asked Jesus.
And he stretched out his arms on a cross and said “this much.”

It says in the Bible that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). God loves us so much that he didn’t wait for us to come to him with our need, he took care of it before we even realized we needed him.

It doesn’t end there though. Jesus died, and three days later He rose from the dead. Sounds impossible right? Jesus is the Son of God, not just a good man, a teacher or a prophet. Jesus proved who He was by raising up from the dead. Through Him we can know God because Jesus paid for the sin that separated us from God.

The First Step

Knowing about Jesus isn’t enough. Each of us has to accept what Jesus did for us. Imagine you were dying of some horrible disease and the doctor came into your hospital room and told you that he had the cure. Knowing about the medicine would not cure you. You’d have to take it for it to affect your condition. It’s the same thing with God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice, unless we own it, it cannot save us.

Owning what Jesus did is agreeing with God that you are a sinner. It’s not an easy thing to say. But as any recovery program will tell you, you have to own the problem before you can start to fix it. If you were back in that hospital room and told the doctor “I don’t need your medicine, I’m not sick” he wouldn’t be able to do much for you. You need to agree with God that you need Him in your life and that there is nothing you can do in your own strength to make up for your sin. That’s the first step.

The Second Step

The Bible tells us that if we accept what Jesus did for us, our sins are forgiven. Psalm 103 verse 12 tells us “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” “Transgressions” is just another word for “sins”. Think about that, ‘as far as the east is from the west’. That’s pretty far.

What Next?

Accepting Christ does not transform you into a perfect person. But it does take you from being a condemned person and sets you free. You and I will keep sinning, but because our relationship with God has been restored we can go to him and ask for forgiveness and strength to make better choices. We can be assured that when we do sin and honestly seek forgiveness we will be forgiven.

You may have heard of a version of the Bible called The Message. The Message tries to put the truth of the Bible into more modern English. The Message explains sin and forgiveness this way:

But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.

With the barrier of sin gone, we can have the relationship with God that He wants for us. This relationship promises strength for today and eternal life, being with Him forever, after death. All you have to do is accept this gift in faith by and act of the will. The doctor is there with the cure, you just have to take it.

How do I accept Jesus?

The final step is a prayer asking God to come into your life and make you the person He wants you to be. Prayer is just talking to God. There is no right or wrong way to do it. God is not concerned about the words that you choose, he cares about the state of your heart. He hears you. You can pray a prayer something like this:

Jesus, I want to know you personally. I know that I am a sinner and that nothing I could do can make up for that. Thank you for dying in my place and paying the price for my sin. I know that my sin doesn’t separate me from God anymore. Thank you for forgiving me. I know that you love me and that I will spend eternity with you. I want you to be my Savior. Come into my life and take control, make me the person you want me to be.

God invites you into relationship with him. He is ready to welcome you home.

18 Responses to “Finding Peace and Freedom”

  • Pauline says:

    I have tried to watch two videos..neither of which has worked pity..they looked interesting

  • Claire Colvin Claire Colvin says:

    Hi Pauline, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had trouble with our videos. Can you tell which ones ones you tried to watch and also which browser you’re using?

  • Franklin says:

    Hi everyone. I am afraid about my future. I am married 2years now, we don’t have baby yet, and I always felt like the 2nd man in the video above. the feeling of being inadequate with my skills and that I always ask myself why others were able to do it and I found it too difficult to do or push myself more.
    I was typing a question in my browser and I found this website. I feel comforted to hear from the guy the exact description of what I am feeling.
    I am not happy with my present job but I hold on because I’m afraid of loosing a job. I’m 32 now and still struggling how can I make my life better both financially and personally or spiritually.
    I’ve always prayed to God and some of my concerns are answered and some are unanswered. Sometimes I ask God why some people who don’t even go to church have better living.
    I always prayed for a job that will let me do things that can make me happy because I know I am very much capable of doing that task and i made others happy. A job where I can balance my personal and spiritual life and my married life. Maybe an online job that let me work at home like editing a religious magazine where I can also improve my spirituality.

  • Esther Esther says:

    Dear Franklin,

    Than you for your response. The moment you realize that your future lies in the hand of God, then you stop to worry about the future. This is because by worrying, you may not change anything. Your marriage is only two years – still very early. If you are not happy with your current job, you can make the effort of looking for one that would be more satisfying. At 32 years, you are still young, strong and able to get another job and move on.

    I want to believe that you who knows God lives a better life than that one who does not know God. This is because you know whom you believe whereas they do not know Him. You are far much better off! Start to thank God and not pity yourself. Start to thank God for the answered concerns and trust Him for those that are yet to be answered. Continue to trust God for a job where you can serve Him as you have mentioned, and indeed in His time, He will come through for you. True peace and freedom are found in the LORD Jesus Christ!

  • overview says:

    Accepting Christ does not transform you into a perfect person. But it does take you from being a condemned person and sets you free. You and I will keep sinning, but because our relationship with God has been restored we can go to him and ask for forgiveness and strength to make better choices. We can be assured that when we do sin and honestly seek forgiveness we will be forgiven.

  • Doris Beck Doris Beck says:

    Overview,
    You are so right! Being a Christian doesn’t make us perfect…just forgiven! I John 1:9 clearly says that if we confess our sins(which tells us that we will in fact sin) then he(God) is faithful and just to forgive us from all unrighteousness! I love that!

  • Luzaide says:

    Good day All fellow believers

    I would like to encourage all my brothers and sisters to hold steadfast onto Gods promises. God is able to change the worst situations into a lifetime testimony that will change the lives of many. So let us keep on doing the good work there’s a life out there waiting to be saved.

    Kind regards
    Luzaide

  • Chris Landwerlen says:

    luzaide…thanks for that Word of encoruagement!!

  • Marie says:

    Luzaide~ A BIG AMEN!!!! I could not have said it better myself!!! God Bless U!

  • Trish Hicks says:

    To Pauline,FranklinOverview,Lucaide, I have learned the trick to peace and freedom.The truth is I am still learning about it.Once we have accepted Christ as Our Lord and Saviour.Once we have given him rule over our lives,and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, He Jesus allows us to enter his peace , for Jesus is known as the prince of peace:Isaiah 9:6 NIV For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.As our faith grows than we can come to feel that peace:Matthew 11:28 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. I now am just beginning feel that peace while the rest of the world is in chaos I can rest in the peace of Christ I actually now just believe what it saids in the word of God,instead of worrying how the rest of the world is going to the pits.Although i still pray for the Holy Spirit to turn this country around.And if enough Christians pray that this world turns to God we could possibly become that mighty nation our founding Fathers had started and written proclamations about,because now the government is trying to change those laws written in the constitutions. so I say we all join in prayer:2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. This requires lots of prayer and I know I have been praying and I know of many churches that are also if we excercise our faith.Who knows.
    I pray I have been able to shine a light on this subject.
    may God bless
    Trish

    Lord God, Abba Father,
    I lift up these people Lord that in Christ they may recieve and feel your love and the peace and rest you give us to rest in.Lord it saids in your word all that are burdened and heavy laden come to you,Lord , I pray you draw these people to you,for they are surely heavy laden.It’s in Jesus name I pray.Amen

  • Jackie says:

    I am suffering. I feel punishment and pain. I don’t remember a day I could smile or feel peace. Because of this I am reminded of all the bad and everything lost; career, health, love. I pray and pray and pray for peace, guidance, and relief but I feel my prayers are not heard. I have surrendered. What more can I do?

  • Chris says:

    jackie…i am sorry for all of this pain and hurt. being citizens of the same human race, i understand it all too well. the good news is that jesus has suffered for all of us far more then we ever will and is ready and willing to come to our aid. i am wondering if you have considered the claims of christ and read his words of life. if you have and are a Christian, i pray that jesus will show you his wonderful promises he has made just for you to heal both your inner and outer person. if you havent received christ personally, log onto knowingjesuspersonally.com and you will find out the joy that is just waiting at the end of your rope. blessings to you!

  • Jackie says:

    Chris, Thank You for your prayers. I will read the information you noted. I am sorry for my statement, pain has a way of consuming my thoughts and feelings where I neglect all else. Thank you for the information.

  • Shelley says:

    Thank you for your comment Jackie, as the Lord our god bless you in all that you do for Him. In Jesus name amen

  • Jackie says:

    Thank You Shelley. God bless you.

  • When scrolling down that Website I saw one topic. It said: Accepting Jesus.
    Looking at it theologically do you think that is right. As a linguist and a theologian I feel that it show disrespect. It says: “Take it or leave it”. We cant do that with Him. We are chosen from Eternity. We cant say : I leave it. I am not a Calvinist. , but it is in the word accept. But that aspect I leave it is not in when it comes to making a decision for Him. Receiving Him would be more correct. You don’t have to answer me. Just consider it.

  • Jamie Jamie says:

    Thanks Doris, I agree that we need to carefully choose words so that the proper ideas are communicated. However, I am not sure I see your distinction between ‘receive’ and ‘accept’. Both words are used in the translation of the Greek root words ‘dexomai‘ and ‘lambano‘. I find it also interesting that Merriam-Webster uses the alternate words in their definitions. Jesus (and the other New Testament authors) speak of those who do not accept or receive His message (again using both Greek words) so there is the implication that they had been offered the free gift of Grace but chose not to accept/receive. Scripture presents both truths: the sovereignty of God and human responsibility. It seems prudent then to have an understanding of salvation that includes both without one infringing on the other. From God’s eternal perspective there is no infringement, and I anticipate that when we are welcomed into His eternal presence we too will see that both are fully active without contradiction.

    I think H.A. Ironside’s imagination of the gates of Heaven captures the full testimony of scripture: entering into the gates of Heaven we will see engraved “Whosoever will, let him come” (Revelation 22:17) but as we enter through those gates and look back on the inside we will see engraved “Chosen..in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). God loves the whole world (John 3:16) and does not want to see anyone separated from Him for all of eternity (2Peter 3:9). Jesus death is for the whole world (1John 2:2) and His salvation is available to all who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). If anyone is wondering if Jesus has chosen them, He says, “Come to Me all of you who are weary and weighed down; I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)

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