Why It’s a Blessing to Know that Jesus Plus Nothing is Enough
Jesus said, “I AM the Messiah.” (John 4:26)
He said, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6)
And when Jesus asked Peter what he believed about Him, Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
So, today I’m taking a closer look and asking myself . . . Do I really believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Do I really believe He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God?”
Why am I asking those questions?
Because I’ve wondered . . . if really believe, why do we so often act like or give the impression that we have to “get our acts together” before we come to Jesus?
I grew up in church and Sunday school. I knew Jesus was and is the answer.
Yes, I believe that humble repentance is needed and that obedience increases our faith and glorifies God. I know that God “disciplines those He loves. (Hebrews 12:6) I believe that He wants us to live with love becoming more like Jesus. (1 John 4:17) But I also know that it is mistakenly easy to approach life from a Pharisaical Law-oriented perspective.
For years, I lived out the “Law” like this…
When problems hit our family or when worries kept me up at night . . . I would get up, grab my Bible, and look for all the things we needed to do better.
The following mornings, I would greet my family with a list of ways we needed to improve our behavior and become more obedient to fix what was wrong.
In reality, I was saying – Jesus plus right-living, plus my effort, plus fixing my family would correct whatever was lacking. (Yes, I have since apologized to Rev and our children. And I quit trying to fix them long ago.) But those days, I believed there was always something we must “do.”
Until there was nothing I could do! A time when circumstances left me tearfully admitting “I don’t know what to do.”
And I heard the Lord’s loving quiet voice asking…
Do you really believe?
Do you really believe that I AM enough?
Do you really believe I will never leave you or forsake you? (Hebrews 13:5)
Do you believe I will give you everything you need? (Luke 12:31)
Do you believe my grace is all you need? (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Do you really believe that..?
Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Romans 5:1
Do you really believe that Jesus is enough?
Jesus plus nothing is the Way to the Father. The Way to everlasting Life.
Jesus plus nothing is the Way to joy, peace, contentment, and true happiness.
Jesus plus nothing is the Way to a changed heart that:
- Loves
- Forgives
- Shares
- Prays
- Trusts
- Praises
- Surrenders
- Worships
- Glorifies
Believing that Jesus plus nothing is enough gives us a “get to” rather than a “have to” attitude.
Because of all that Christ Jesus has done for us, we “get to” KNOW, TRUST, and LOVE Him. We “get to” love the people He puts around us. We “get to” follow His perfect plans and purposes.
We no longer have to conform to a list of religious “have to” rules to please people. We “get to” follow God’s will because we BELIEVE that His will is always best.
I love the way The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition shares Romans 12:2:
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
A Prayer to Truly Believe that
Jesus Plus Nothing is Enough
Father, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for Your forgiveness and love . . . for the gift of Jesus.
Jesus, how can I begin to thank you for all You have done for me. You lived a perfect life. One that shows us how to love with care and compassion. You taught us what it looks like to live with humility and forgiveness. You sacrificed Yourself for me and made a way for me to look forward to a forever future with You in heaven. You are all I need today, tomorrow, and forever. You are enough!
Spirit, thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for walking with me each day and for giving me strength, courage, peace, hope, and so much more. You are my help and comfort. You make Jesus enough for me every moment of every day.
Lord, You are the God of the possible (Matthew 19:26). You give me a future filled with hope. (2 Thessalonians 2:16) You say that You are “for me” (Romans 8:31). You help me when I struggle with temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). You are my safe place (Psalm 18:2) and the Lover of my Soul (John 15:13) I thank you and praise You for who You are and all You’ve done. I love you, Lord, and I give myself to You. Amen.
So, let me ask you . . . do you really believe that Jesus plus nothing is enough?
If you answered yes.
Celebrate! You just proclaimed the Best News Ever!
May you be blessed today with more than enough. May you be blessed with faith and hope and Jesus’ love.
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Thank you, Deb, for reminding us that Jesus + Nothing is more than enough.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha! Have a wonderful day!!
I love this. Such a great reminder. I think the work that comes on my part is remembering to remember these things. To take every thought captive to the truth and not let myself get distracted. Remembering to go to God for everything first instead of as a last resort.
Me too, Janet. I’m reading a book called, Conquering the Chaos in Your Mind and the author has talked throughout about knowing God’s Word well so that we can reject the enemy’s lies and replace them with God’s truth. He is the source of peace. He is the Giver of faith, hope, and joy. He is enough! God bless you!
I looove this, Deb! My new favorite quote!! “Jesus Plus Nothing is Enough! I can so relate to all you have written for us today! So many times, I too have thought, I needed to do this better, that better, sorry I did that, sorry i didnt do this…Oh the mess I seem to make of things sometimes! I am def going to remember your blessed words! A light bulb moment! JESUS + Nothing is Enough! You are so
gifted with your writing and in the love of God that you share with us!! Bless you, Deb and may have a wonderful week of “Enough!”
Thank you, Kathy! I am always so thankful when God uses something I needed to bless others. It’s so easy to fall back into that old “work ethic.” I have to pause every day and remember that the Lord just wants my heart. He wants me to do His will because I “get to” not because I “have to” to earn His favor. His love overwhelms me and your encouragement always blesses me!
A “get to” instead of “have to” attitude is my favorite. Thank you for sharing your heart!
Thank you for visiting and for your kind encouragement, Cindra! God bless you!
Amen Deb x. Jesus plus nothing Alleluia!
We are so blessed by our gracious God. God bless you, Angela!
Nice to know that Jesus is enough! Thanks lots of blessings to your spiritual insight. ♥️????
Thanks for stopping by, Caroline. I so appreciate your visit and your encouragement. Blessings!
These resent posts seem to be talking to me and about me. Oh Lord, how many countless times I tried and still often catch myself trying, to fix things until the Lord pushes me in the corner where I have to face my weakness, hopelessness and helplessness. I’m one of those sheep, He has to use His rod often, as I’m too engulfed in myself, plans, thoughts and wants to listen to any gentle prodding.
If I want to answer your question with brutal honesty then I have to say I don’t know where I stand. I know and believe Who Jesus is to me and the world. I believe that He is the Savior, the Messiah, my Master, Sheppard and truest Friend. Yet, despite all this, when I’m faced with the rough times, when life’s storms surround me, than without a second thought I grab the wheel from Jesus’ hand in fear that we will sink.
I surrendered my life several times and grabbed the wheel back from Him just as often. Because at the end of the day, I didn’t Trust Jesus enough and rather counted on my puny human “wisdom” and strenght, just to end in disaster each and every time.
Yet the Lord with endless patience guiding me back to Himself through my life.
I believe that He selected me….only He knows why, as God knows there is nothing in me that is worth saving. Yet He gave me this promise decades ago and never waivered from it – Isaiah 49,16
“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”
And when I reach despondency over the lack of my faith life, this promise rings back in my heart….what a Love.
God bless you Deb for this posting, as it couldn’t be timelier. The Lord really uses everything and everyone when He decides to send us a message.
I love your honesty, Gaby! I think you just described what it is to be human. We all have a sinful nature that we need to fight with God’s help. I’m so very thankful for His grace and mercy. He has been and continues to be so very good to us. Blessings, my friend!
I love this post! What a wonderful reminder that Jesus is ALL we need!! I try to “help” way to often! I will hold your phrase “Jesus plus nothing” to remind myself that my help is not needed!!
I typically want a quick easy fix, Danielle. My prayer is that with God’s help, I will faithfully keep my heart and mind focused on Jesus remembering that He is all I need. I love the way you said it, “remind myself that my help is not needed!” God bless you!
Thank you for this message I needed to hear!
Your words are a great help!
I’m so glad it blessed and encouraged you, Nicolette. God be with you and bless you!
Thanks for your faith in Jesus
You have been my motivation lately. May God continue to bless you .
What a lovely kind encouragement, Cindy. Thank you so very much! May God be with you and continue to bless you each day!