When a young man falls in love with a girl, yet she does not love him, then he is in a quite unpleasant situation. He may invite the girl or send her numerous presents. But does she therefore love him?

In the Acts of the Apostles it is reported about a magician called Simon. He must have shown of quite considerably, and he had many followers among the people.

Peter and John came into that town, proclaimed Jesus, and many people believed in him. It is written that Peter and John were laying their hands on the people and thus they received the Holy Spirit. This had been Simon's reaction to that:

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. (Acts 8, 18 – 22 NIV)

Simon wanted to make a good business with Jesus. He had obviously been worried that people might turn away from him and his magic after having started to believe in Jesus. Well, Simon had been right with this worry.

But it is not the right way when trying to make a business with Jesus. Definitely no! You cannot make a deal with Jesus. You have two options only:

You either believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that a bit more than 2000 years ago he had been born in the town of Bethlehem, that He loves us and died for our sins, and that God resurrected him from the dead on the third day, or you don't believe all that.

God is very radical and does not permit any compromise. You cannot just believe a little in Jesus and perhaps consider him to have been a wise teacher. You cannot believe that he may have lived but not believe that he rose from the dead.

It does not make sense to go to church on Sundays, and then from Monday to Saturday to put Jesus into the corner because you have to work, make money and somehow this does not function without some more or less cheating.

You either say “Yes” to Jesus or you refuse his love. Have another look at this page.

When having said “Yes” to Jesus you need not be worried any longer. This does not mean that from then you you would not have any more problems in your life. After all the Evil still exists, and we have to fight against it again and again.

But Jesus is here, and He helps us, and He loves us.