The most important words you will ever say

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The most important words you will ever say are "I love you, Jesus."

When that short little sentence escapes your lips, and when said in total sincerity, it will transform your life. Nothing else you ever say or do will match those words in setting the stage for the continual unfolding of the blessings of God in your future.

Some single people drop the phrase "I love you" as casually as an old man in the park tossing popcorn to pigeons, while others hoard those words like a miser with gold coins. It's wise to be careful who we tell that to—and how.

Jesus Christ longs to hear that confession from us. He is the embodiment of love and proved it for all time through his death on the cross. He loves you so much he wants to spend all eternity with you.

But what does it mean for you when you tell him you love him? Let's look into the most important words you will ever say.

First you have to know Him

It seems obvious, but you can't really love someone unless you know him or her. The same holds true of Jesus. The good news is that God reveals himself to us in the pages of the Bible.

While the entire Bible points to Jesus Christ, the best information about him is contained in the gospels. As you read what Jesus said and how he acted, the Holy Spirit will step in and give you a deeper understanding of who the Savior is.

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Listening to sermons is another excellent way to know Jesus. Inspired preachers interpret Scripture and show us what Jesus has done for us. The gift of salvation, provided by Jesus on the cross, is the most powerful demonstration of love in human history. That gift is for you, personally.

The Bible is clear: Without Jesus's sacrifice, nobody, no matter how "good" they are, can ever get into heaven. Think about that. Without Jesus, you and I would spend eternity in hell.

His sacrifice is something to be thankful for every day of your life.

The more you learn about Jesus, the more you realize loving him is the only possible response. And, the better you know him, the more you will love him. It won't be long before the most important words will come naturally to you: "I love you, Jesus."

The most important words: True freedom

And yet, it's scary to tell someone you love them. You never know how those words will be received. For us singles who have been rejected in a love relationship, painful memories can keep us from reaching out like that again.

But Jesus is different from human beings. He is God, and as God, he is absolutely trustworthy. He is incapable of lying or deception. He is reliable. When he forms a relationship with you, it is indestructible and lasts for all eternity.

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Be aware, though, this relationship will change you. You'll have to put Jesus first instead of yourself, and that's very hard for us single folks. We're used to having our own way and making our own decisions. We like our independence, thank you very much. To put someone else in charge of your life feels crazy.

But let's get something clear: Submission to Jesus brings the greatest freedom in existence. There are only two choices in life: Slavery to sin or slavery to Christ. Hear what Jesus said:

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29, NIV)

The benefits of being in a love relationship with Jesus are tremendous. Besides the astounding gift of eternal life, you have a lifelong Guide and Comforter in the Holy Spirit. He dwells inside you, not a zillion light years away in heaven. He's available 24/7/365 to help you navigate the troubles of life. Can any other religion or philosophy offer that?

It's not what you see that counts

This intimate relationship becomes the guiding truth of your life. You finally come to realize that suffering and pain still happen, but Jesus is the constant that gets you through it. He gives you supernatural strength to bear whatever you face.

When you can say the most important words: "I love you, Jesus," in the midst of your trouble, you know you have arrived. Reasons may not come, explanations may not make sense, but Christ is there to help you endure.

The old Testament character Job said,

"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15, NKJV)

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None of us escapes hard times. What a blessing to have the Author of love and compassion on your side when they hit. Jesus is the hope that helps us get out of bed in the morning to tackle another day. He is the ever-present caregiver who knows exactly what we need to overcome.

We must not be fooled by appearances. Wealth and fame are not the favor of God. The tender presence of Jesus Christ is what we truly need.

The sweetest way to show your gratitude is the most important words you will ever say, "I love you, Jesus."


Wait. What if you're not a Christian?

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As the article above points out, you can't truthfully love Jesus unless you know him, and you can't know him unless you're a Christian.

Jesus Christ wants a personal love relationship with you. His Holy Spirit may be stirring that desire in you as well. The obstacle may be your reluctance.

If you want to pursue that further, here are some important resources...