Religion in Cycling?
That is NOT what ChristianCycling is about. Many people perceive religion as following a set of rules, trying to be good to gain favor with “god” while often failing and revealing their own hypocrisy in the process as they judge themselves more “righteous” than others.
Jesus had some pretty strong words for these people, especially the religious leaders of his time who practiced this type of “religion”...
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:27-28 (NLT)
God knows that this type of religion not only appeals to our pride, but ultimately always leads to failure and disappointment because we can never be good enough. So in His love for us, He provided a solution in the form of a sacrificial gift that cannot be earned and the offer of a personal relationship that was initiated by God Himself.
“For 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. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-18 (NLT)
OK, so how can I have a Personal Relationship with God?
Maybe you already believe in God, or maybe you don’t, perhaps because you cannot see, hear or experience Him. But don’t you believe in other people you have never seen, heard or experienced? Eddy Merckx is a well documented famous cyclist you likely have never met or seen in person, yet the reality of his existence is not in question. Even though there is far more documentation and evidence for the existence of God, believing that He exists still does not mean that you have a personal relationship with Him anymore than knowing Greg Lemond means that he might be knocking at your door at dinner time. And yet, listen to what God says about wanting to have a personal relationship with you…
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20 (NLT)
Then how exactly do I “open the door” to this friendship relationship that God is offering me? That “door” that separates you and me from the personal relationship that God wants to have with us is our sin. Here are four “keys” to unlock and open that “door”.
1)Admit that you are a sinner, just like the rest of us:
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23 (NLT)
2) Repent, which simply means a sincere desire to turn your heart away from sin and towards a relationship with God that produces the fruits of new behavior.
“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 (NLT)
3) Believe, not just that God exists, but that He loves you personally and sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for your sins and then raised Him from the dead so that you and I could be saved.
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NLT)
4) Invite God to come into your life and trust Him to take control of all your issues because He has good plans for your future.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
For more information and some great videos, please click here and begin to enjoy the love, joy and peace of a personal relationship with God. If you have just “unlocked” and opened that “door” to a new personal relationship with God, or if you have any questions, we would love to hear from you. Just click here to send us a message and start a relationship with ChristianCycling.
