Step One
God's Purpose of Peace and Life
God loves you and wants you to experience the fullness of His peace and eternal life.
The Bible says:
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, the whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
According to the Bible then, it is obviously God's desire that we have this abudance of peace & life. So why then are so many people living without it?
Step Two
The Problem: Our Seperation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice.
When Adam sinned, he chose to disobey God. When he did, he died spiritually. Since then, that nature of sin has been transfered to every man down through every generation unto this day. It is because of this nature of sin that we chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. When we do however; it results in separation from God.
The Bible says...
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Step Three
Our Own Attempts to Reach God
People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God, but...
The Bible says...
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:2
No bridge reaches God...except one.
Step Four
God's Bridge: The Cross
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people. And He did that because He loves you.
The Bible says...
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
God has provided the only way back into relationship with Him: Jesus. Each of us however must make a personal choice to accept the free gift of life that Jesus purchased on the Cross. We have to make a choice to forsake sin and choose Jesus as Lord. You can only have one or the other; not both.
Step Five
Our Response: Receive Christ
Trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a very personal choice. Believing that Jesus died on the Cross for my sins does not save me in itself however unless I act in faith on that belief by forsaking sin and personally inviting Him into my life.
The Bible says...
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
God loved you so much that He sent Jesus to die for you; all in the hopes that you would accept the Savior He provided as His greatest love gift for you.
As an Ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you now:
Will you receive Jesus as your Savior by faith right now?
He died for you. He loves you. And He is worthy of your decision.
Here is how you can receive Christ:
Action Steps of Faith:
1.Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2.Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3.Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4.Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and reign in your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
How to Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I see today that you love me, but also recognize that I am a sinner in need of Your forgiveness and salvation. I believe that Jesus died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I am asking you consciously and sincerely; "Forgive my every sin Lord Jesus and come into my heart as both Savior and Lord. Fill me with your Spirit. Teach me Your Word. Make my life all that pleases you. In Jesus Name." Amen
God's Assurance: His Word
If you prayed this prayer, the Bible says...
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
When you recieved Jesus into your heart by that prayer you were born into God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. This is called the "new birth." (John 3:3-8)
"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things become new." II Corinthians 5:17
My Brother or Sister; "I welcome you to a whole new life. You are a Miracle!"
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship, you should:
1. Read your Bible everyday to know Christ better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
3. Tell others about Christ.
4. Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
5. As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.
