If you want to know the truth about God -- really know the truth -- you're a "seeker."  That's a great thing to be because, according to Jesus, seekers find what they're looking for.

Some seekers don't believe in God, others believe in God but aren't sure how to connect with Him.  What all seekers have in common is the fact that they've stopped pretending they have it all together, they are open to the possibility God may exist, and more importantly, they may want a place for God in their lives.  They know they don't know Him -- but they want to know.

"Why do you want to know God?"

What do you hope to get from Him?  This is an important thing to think about because you may be looking for the wrong thing.

If you are a seeker because you want to find greater happiness, what if you find God, but your life circumstances lead to less happiness?  Will you feel cheated?  Believers often report that God gives them greater joy, meaning and purpose in life. But nearly every believer will also admit to experiencing periods of difficulty.  So it is good to ask, what am I looking for? And, what does God offer me?

As you read God's book, the Bible, you'll discover how much He's already given. But as you make it your goal to find God, keep in mind that a true seeker seeks the Giver of life, not just His gifts.

"Who is God?"

A spiritual seeker may think the proper order of inquiry is to first decide if there is a God (a philosophical question) and then figure out who Jesus is (a historical question). But another and possibly even more exciting way would be the reverse order.

Many seekers discover that when they deal with the person of Jesus, they find answers to many of their other questions at the same time.

Is there a God? Yes, and He came to earth in human form in the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible says in John chapter 16, verse 28, "I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

Does God love me?

Yes! Look at what He did to show that love: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John chapter 3, verses 16, 17).

The Bible shows how God gives us free-will.  We abuse that free-will over and over again, living contrary to God's plan: abusing ourselves, others and the place we live.   On our own, we proved how lost we could be.  God's love is so great, that He invites us all to reconcile our broken friendship with Him by accepting His gift of grace and entering into a deeply meaningful relationship with Him.

What Religion is the right one?

There are certainly a lot of options, and a lot of differing opinions, doctrines and philosophies; can they all be right?  Do all paths lead to the same thing?

Reconsider that question in the light of the fact that God wants a relationship with you, not your religious affiliation.  "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus...there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, your you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians chapter 3, verses 26-28).

Sort out first who God really is, what He really says, and what He really asks of His followers.

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Matthew chapter 22, verses 37-40 says: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

According to the Bible, until a seeker comes to terms with Jesus, he or she hasn't dealt with the issue that's most important in starting a relationship with God.

Consider this reality: Jesus is the most influential person in history.  A poor itinerant preacher, the son of a carpenter, but also the Son of God, changed the entire course of world history.

How can any serious spiritual search overlook Him?  For example, today's date is based in a reckoning that hinges on Jesus life.  Because of Him, people were moved to split world history into two eras -- "before Him" and "after Him" (B.C. and A.D.)

* Much of this section inspired by Willowcreek Community Church