John 14:6, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 5:14, Philippians 4:13

Teresa Phillips

We live in a society which is becoming more and more independent of God. In Britain, many people are stepping away from the Christian heritage that permeates the pages of our history books. Less and less people recognise the need for church and God. Sundays are now a day for gardening, roast dinners and shopping. They have become a second Saturday. People are falling away from the basic human morals that Christianity encompasses. Some choose to step further and further away from the law, much of which is based upon the laws of God. Crimes seem to become more and more immoral, hateful and disgusting. Our society hangs out its banner and shouts;

'We don't need Jesus!'

Some people don't even know who Jesus is. They've never even heard of Him. Imagine that, in this country!? Some think of Him as this kind of nice guy who lived, what, 2000 years ago, who has nothing to do with anything in their lives. Some know who he is, and choose to reject Him. Some just don't realise, that when he stretched out his arms and died on a cross, he did it for them, to save their souls. Yet they thoughtlessly state;

'I don't need Jesus!'

Some people know who Jesus is. They know what He did for them, they know his grace. They have accepted that and committed their lives to Him. They live their lives for God on a daily basis, but often do things their own way, and in their own strength. Without realising it, by their actions, they say,

'I don't need Jesus!'

In Britain, if you own a car, and live in a brick house, and have your own clothes and bed, you fit into the top 8% bracket of the wealthiest people in the world. You're rich. Imagine that! Rich! Yes, you, sat there, with access to a computer, wearing clothes you own, with a mobile phone in your pocket. In our society, where we often think ourselves hard-done-to, the majority of us lead comfortable lives and never have to pray intensely for survival, our next meal, or a glass of water. Whenever we take that for granted, and get greedy, without realising it, we're kinda saying;

'I don't need Jesus!'

You see, wherever we are on our journey with God, we need to need him more. Whether you're seeking all this God-stuff out for the first time, or have been a Christian a long time, we all need to become more dependent on God, and stride out in the opposite direction that society is tearing in.

This is what we need:

• God's saving grace. There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. The only way to the Father is through me (John 14:6). That's really as simple as it is. To know God, we must accept Jesus and his grace. We cannot earn our way to God.
• God's love living and working in us. 1 John 4:7 says, Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God.
• The Holy Spirit is essential for living in the right way. If we try in our own strength, we'll fail! Galatians 5:22-23 says, But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
• God's provision - 1 John 5:14 says: this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
• God's strength for day to day. Paul writes, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

There are many more things that God provides that we need, like protection, guidance, and healing. So let's acknowledge our need of Him, stop telling ourselves that we are alright without Him, and recognise that we must be dependent on the one and only almighty, majestic God.