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Finding Jesus

A man recently asked me if he was an atheist how he could become a Christian. I thought it might be useful for others to consider this process as well. If your starting point is atheist, you may consider moving to the category of agnostic. The difference is that an atheist is certain that there is no God, the agnostic is not certain.

Once you can see yourself as open to inquiry, you can begin to investigate. Some follow a path of science seeing in creation the hand of a creator. Some follow a path of reason like Einstein who came to believe in the God of Spinoza who made himself manifest in the harmony of nature. Whatever path one takes it is generally a search for truth.

If you come to believe that there is a God, you move from the agnostic category to that of theist. Some, like Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, and many others remain at this point. If one continues in the quest for truth, one begins to examine various religions. This can be difficult because there are so many often conflicting claims. At this point it is probably best to pray to God for wisdom. The bible says that God gives wisdom to all who ask.

Jesus told Pilate that all who were of the truth would hear his voice. For this reason, it can be helpful to become someone "of the truth". By elevating truth, one establishes a configuration within themselves that becomes sensitive to truth and resonates or responds the closer one gets to truth.

Some come to see in Islam a closeness to truth greater than Hinduism. However, as one continues to search, one will find in Jesus greater truth still. The bible declares that Jesus is truth and as such a search for truth will lead to Jesus. The end of this search is having come to the conviction that enough truth has been found to place one’s trust in it. This is the point where if one places his trust in Jesus, he becomes a Christian.

The path can be difficult for some and take one over fifty years to come to the point where he can trust in Jesus. The path can be as short as five minutes for others. The journey begins with seeking after truth and ends with having found it in Jesus. Sadly, many churches and Christian traditions have accumulated things that fall short of truth and can make the path more difficult and confusing.

One can start with TV preachers and come to find their limitations. One can visit different churches and denominations and also find their limitations. One can seek Christians who clearly show the light and love of Jesus and learn from them to know Jesus like they do, but even this can be limited. The path to find Jesus, trust in him, and grow to be like him is laid out in the bible. This connection with God through his word is supposed to be at the core of any Christian life.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13

Information about Christianity and the Christian life.