No Substitutions

This is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

At a very young age, I memorized John 3:16. I knew God loved me and I knew He was in my life because I invited Jesus into my heart to save me from my sin.

But I did not begin to have a vital, growing relationship with God for a long time because honestly I did not feel I needed God very much. I was not dealing with any circumstance or disappointment that an ice-cream cone or, later, a new tube of lipstick would not fix.

At times, we all want to substitute things to mask a problem or put off dealing with an issue. These substitutions distract us from what really matters and what can really heal—a close relationship with God through Jesus Christ now and for all eternity.

When God says His Word is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), He is not kidding. He is the Word. Any substitute we try for finding peace with God apart from Himself is dead and powerless.

When I began to recognize Scripture as God’s very words, I learned that He is personal and wants us to know Him intimately. I learned God knows everything about us and loves us with an everlasting love. I learned He has a plan for my life and for yours. Spending time in God’s Word was the beginning of a day-to-day walk of faith with Christ and the budding of a love relationship for all believers. God’s Word tells us that there are no substitutions for His salvation plan and no way to grow spiritually without Christ and putting into practice His truth through the power of His Spirit!

There is no substitution for eternal life apart from Christ. If you have already made a commitment to Christ and are experiencing some “growing pains,” that’s good too! God draws us to Himself through His Word and by His Holy Spirit.