Cause Jesus says so

"(Jesus said). For this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice." - John 18:37

Why do I believe what I believe? Jesus says so.

Time has a funny way of simplifying you, if you let it. Time helps you to appreciate things more. I find myself reading the Gospels again, like it was my first time. I am finding that while Christ hasn't changed and His Word hasn't changed, my life has changed, my perspective has changed, my goals have changed. I have changed. Luckily though, His truth doesn't change. It got me to thinking about some of the simplest truths in Scripture that many of us almost forget or take for granted as we grow older. It astounds me the number of modern Christians (yes, Catholics included) who disagree with fundamental Scriptural beliefs. There's a problem, though, if any "Christian" disagrees with Christ, isn't there? Put simply, if we only believe those Scriptural passages that we agree with than it's not really the Bible we believe in, is it?

So, here are a few things that Jesus, Himself, tells us in the Gospel. It's not a complete list. It's not a perfect list. This is my list: a little "Top Ten" for myself and for you, my brothers and sisters (God's children). Consider this your "crib sheet" to your own personal "vacation bible school":

God, the Creator of all, is your Father, your Daddy. - Mark 14:36

He's not just a creator. He's not an ambivalent observer. He's not a caretaker. He's your Daddy. You can trust Him. You can believe in Him. Believing in God isn't foolish. Believing that you are the center of the universe.that's foolish.

The devil is real. - Mark 1:13, Luke 10:18

He is not a myth or a figment of your imagination. He does exist and he doesn't want you anywhere near God. Resist him (James 4:8-9). And if you don't believe he's real, he's already won. The greatest thing the devil ever accomplished was making people believe that he doesn't exist.

Sin destroys you and will kill you. - Matt 5:30, Mark 9:42

It doesn't "just make you feel bad". It isn't something you can rationalize away. Sin destroys your capacity to love rightly and to live well. Sin also destroys your capacity to receive love. This is a serious thing. If you are in sin, reconcile yourself to God.

Not everyone is getting into Heaven. - Matt 7:13-14

It's a popular misconception that "all roads lead to Heaven". That's just not true. Not everyone is getting into heaven, in fact many who think they are, probably aren't according to Scripture. Heaven is a decision, a gift from God chosen by the life you live. Hell is a choice, too. God wants you in Heaven.

God's mercy is bigger than your sins. - John 8:11, Luke 10:37

The only sin God won't forgive is the sin you won't ask forgiveness for. His mercy is limitless, but you have to be open to it. (Oh, and guilt doesn't come from God, it comes from within. Your conscience is one of God's greatest gifts to you. it's a gift, not a curse).

If you want to see God, look at Jesus. - John 14:9

Jesus wasn't just a philosopher or a prophet. He is God. No other religious leader of consequence ever claimed to actually "be" God. No lunatic would live what He lived. No other leader rose from the dead. No other leader is coming back again. If you're trying to figure out what God wants, get to know Jesus.

If you want to know Jesus, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. - John 16:7, 13

The same way Jesus reveals the Father, the Holy Spirit reveals Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you closer to Jesus. Ask him to show you Christ's face, help you to hear His voice and give you the courage to follow Jesus' will.

God will give you what you need. - Matt 7:7-12

He might not always give you what you want, but God will always give you what you need. That difference seems small but it's huge; it seems easy, but living it is difficult. It takes trust.

In your life you'll have troubles; that doesn't mean God doesn't love you" - John 16:33"

Bad times" don't mean that God doesn't care. Jesus never promised that once you follow God you'd never struggle again. He promised that God won't abandon you.

The Eucharist is Christ's true flesh and blood. - Matt 26:26, John 6:22-58

It's not a symbol. It's not a simple memorial. It's more than that. The Eucharist is how Christ insures that He is with us forever (Mt. 28:20). The apostles didn't misunderstand. The Church didn't "make it up". St. Paul believed in the real presence, too (1 Cor. 11:23-29).

Two more truths, for the road: The Bible is not outdated, it is timeless; it is the Living Word of God. Jesus loves you, this I know.

(Jesus said) For this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice." - John 18:37