Walking with God is an adventure. The greatest adventure on Earth.

As a Christian, you have a chance to start over, to begin a new spiritual life. God will develop new qualities in you as you get to know Him better.

“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

What difference does Jesus make?

Jesus said that when we live a life of faith in Him, our joy would be complete (John 16:4). Here are five reasons why Christians can find joy in all of life's circumstances:

1. He forgave your sin

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.” (Ephesians 1:7)

All your sins, those from when you were young all the way to the ones from earlier today, and even those you haven't done yet, have been forgiven because of Jesus' death and resurrection.

2. He made you a child of God

“But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn -- not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” (John 1:12-13)

You are a member of the family of God. Your faith in Christ automatically includes you in the family. You belong, even more completely than you belong to your human family, because God will never let you down or fail you.

3. He came into your life and will never leave you

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

Jesus has promised that He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He will walk with you in everything. But that doesn't mean life will be easy. Christians have faced challenges and difficulties of all types -- even death -- just for their faith in Christ. Jesus hasn't promised that you won't ever struggle, just that He will always be with you through every struggle you face. That is a tremendous source of joy and peace in the most challenging situations.

4. He gave you eternal life

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:11-13)

Eternal life began for you the moment you became a Christian. That's when God became part of your life forever. If you were to die this very day, you would spend eternity with God. This life is not something you earned, by doing things or trying to please God. It is a free gift, offered by God simply through your faith in Jesus.

As you continue to walk with Jesus, you will develop an increasing peace, joy, patience, and love for others. These qualities grow in you through the work of God in your life, as you read His Word, pray, and live a life of faith.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23a)