Obviously, I have no idea who is reading this, but this letter and the other letters in this series are intended for the believer; the person who now dwells in Jesus spiritually and in whom Jesus spiritually resides. How did you come to believe in the son of God and be born from above by the spirit of God? It may have been a summer church camp, a youth event, or street evangelism. Did you grow up in a Christian home and hear the gospel preached at a traditional Sunday service?

Do you recall how you felt after your salvation experience and the calm that washed over you? That new peace your soul felt after your salvation. Your new connection with your creator looked fantastic at first, but after a few months, years, or even a decade, that first euphoria fades and wears off. This is normal and it’s why the gospel is not about feelings but facts. The delight you had at initially is no longer present. What occurred, you may wonder? Why did this happen? Perhaps you discovered it again briefly, but it quickly faded. You’re not by yourself. I’ve had a similar experience.

Perhaps you begin to doubt your identity in Jesus. You desire that connection, stability, and intimacy with him, but the more you “wish” for it, the more it drifts away. Is your list similar to this?

• I wish God had my entire heart.
• I wish I were more like Jesus on the inside or looked more like Him.
• How can I become closer to God? I wish I could, but I just mess up all the time.
• I wish my desire to sin weren’t so strong.
• I wish I had a stronger reliance on Jesus.
• I wished I loved God more.
• I check off the list of church, serving, helping and being “good.”

Have any of these requests been ticked off? two or one? or how about the whole list? It’s not just you. I am aware that I have also checked a few of these. After all, it should come as no surprise that so many people today hold to these beliefs after listening to contemporary congregations and purported “teachers” of Christianity. When you are indoctrinated with traditions this is what happens. Everyone who calls themselves a Christian has at some point traveled this path. However, there is good news. Through the sacrifice of God’s son, you have received all you “wished” for. It really is finished!

Have you ever questioned why you are feeling the way you are? Why are you thinking this way when it’s not true? could be a better question. A person’s thoughts eventually affect how they feel about a certain topic. If I think I’m “far” or “backslidden” I will feel this way. The more lies and misleading teachings you consume, the more they will train your mind and cause you to accept what is being said without hesitation. This is the norm for today, people do not question what is being taught anymore. I have participated in this very thing as well. This letter and future letters to the reader will be teaching about your new identity in Jesus because you have passed from death to life. You are the new man or woman in Christ.

• He owns the entirety of your heart, and you belong to him completely.
• On the inside, you are just as pure, just as righteous, and just as holy as Jesus.
• Both now and into eternity, you are as near to God as Jesus is.
• Although you don’t truly want to sin, there are logical reasons why you still could and do at times.
• You are by nature reliant on God. Your new default setting is this. You have a new spirit.
• You adore God with an unwavering devotion. You don’t need to adore him any more.
• Simply live according to the spirit of God who is within you; you don’t need to be radical, do more, or show your great works.

Contradictory Reality

These realities may look unusual, and they may run counter to orthodox Christian beliefs. That is beyond a doubt. I pray that your thinking will be altered and that you will recognize the truth of the gospel. I tell you now: if you accept these truths, you will be criticized and mocked since they contradict what most people believe today. These letters will contradict the bulk of the books you’ve read and sermons you’ve heard. They may even appear to contradict your own personal life experiences, feelings, and failures. These biblical concepts are necessary for living a fulfilling life with the living God, YHVH.

I hope you will consider the future letters I want to write, and that they will be a gift to you. If you choose to believe and act on the truth I shall write, you will always have the peace of mind that you will be OK no matter what. Most people apply the gospel to being with God in heaven, which is accurate, but it is not the entire message of the gospel. The gospel, contrary to popular belief, is not a “ticket” to heaven, but rather rest for your soul and abundant life in him. That you can and should be enjoying in this life. I’m also not referring to some kind of religious sanctification process that you must undertake on your own; after all, it’s about what has been done for you.

I’ll be writing about who you are today in Christ, no need to be radical or sold-out. My objective is for you to comprehend what your creator accomplished for you and who you are today if you believe in the name of God’s son. My objective is not to cram your brain with additional things to do, be, and serve. These letters will aim to assist you and hopefully you will grasp the reality that you have been made new in him.