The starting point in our pursuit of God is the realization that we all have a sin problem. Sin is a practical problem, not just a theological one. Sin brings brokenness in every way, keeping us from experiencing the fullness of life that God wants for us. This doesn’t mean we’re all as bad as we possibly could be. But the infection runs deep in all of us, and there’s no getting around its devastating effects.

Romans 3:10-12 (NLT) As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”

Romans 3:23 (NLT) For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

The problem of sin affects all of us from birth. The solution is to start over, to be “born again” to a new life in Christ. This language is meaningful. It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Your first birth doomed you to a life of sin. Your re-birth can undo the damage.” Jesus isn’t suggesting that you can change your sinful nature. He’s not asking you to stop sinning and start trying to be a better person. He’s saying that something has to happen to you, something beyond your control. That’s how birth works. You don’t earn it; somebody else does all of the work to make it happen. Being “born again” works the same way, and Jesus did the work to make it possible for us.

This brings us to the first truth in a pursuit of God: We start a relationship with God by trusting Jesus. We cover this in Lessons 5 and 6 in The Pursuit.

Following Jesus is a life-long journey of finding out what pleases God and doing it (Ephesians 5:10). Over time, this means our lives are marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This is not a checklist about what we should do; it’s a list of internal qualities that describes the kind of people we are becoming. It’s a word picture of God’s vision for our lives.

So how do we get there? Does it depend on our willpower or good intentions? Not at all. Just as we started a relationship with God by grace, we live every day by grace. Our ability to honor God is a gift from God himself! Peter explained it like this:

2 Peter‬ ‭1:3‬ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. 

Here’s the good news: you already have access to everything you need for living a victorious Christian life! You have the capacity to manifest things like love and joy and peace in increasing measure throughout your life. But in order to do it you’ll need to tap into three keys to victory.

We talk about this, along with baptism and spiritual disciplines, in Lessons 7-9 of The Pursuit. It’s all part of the second truth for every pursuit of God: As Christians, we live to honor God.

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We believe the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is inspired, authoritative, and infallible in its original manuscripts. It is, therefore, the only complete and final authority in faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; John 17:17; Romans 3:4; John 20:30-31; Matt. 24:35.)

We believe in a sovereign, triune God. By His power He spoke the world into existence. God alone is self-determined, self-governed, and self-sufficient. He is eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each possesses all the attributes of deity. All are equal in power and glory. (Rom. 1:18-20; John 1:18; 1 Cor. 2:16; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; Isa. 46:10.)

We believe Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be the Son of God. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed many signs and wonders, died on a cross, and rose from the dead in a glorified body. He ascended to the right hand of God the Father where He continually makes intercession for His people. At the appointed time He will come again to earth to consummate God’s plan in salvation history. (Matt. 1:20-23; John 1:1,2; Rom. 3:24, 25; Rom. 8:34; Phil 2:5-10; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 1:1-3; Heb. 7:25.)

We believe in God the Holy Spirit’s effective role in God’s plan for His Kingdom. Without the influence of the Holy Spirit no one can participate in Kingdom Life. The Spirit’s first (and necessary) work is in conversion: to enlighten sinners and awaken them to their need for a Savior. At the point of salvation the Holy Spirit immediately indwells believers and begins empowering them to live to please God. The Spirit also gives them a new identity, assuring them of their proper standing with God. (John 14:16,17,26; 16:7-15; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Gal. 5:22-26; Eph. 1:13-14.)

We believe God created mankind in His own image. At the beginning of human history, however, man chose to disobey the sovereign God and so brought sin on to the earth. All people everywhere have since been born into this sinful nature and are subject to God’s righteous judgment: death and eternal separation from Himself. (Gen. 1:26; Gen. 3; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Jer. 17:9; John 3:18; Eph. 2:1-3.)

We believe we start a relationship with God by trusting Jesus. God accepts Jesus Christ’s death on the cross as a payment for the sin of humanity. Those who repent of their sin and believe in God’s work are forgiven and restored to relationship with God. This is salvation, and it is God’s work from beginning to end, so that we are saved purely by grace. (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; John 3:16-17; Rom. 3:24-26; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:1; 1 John 5:11-13; John 1:12.)