Jesus knows you, and wants you to know him in a personal way. God humbled himself to the point of coming to earth in the form of a man, “The Son of God”, to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. There is nothing more important to understand than the words you are about to read. It is mostly straight from the Bible with scripture references so you can look them up. As you read look at yourself in comparison to the truth of the Bible and see the plan and gift God has prepared for you.
I (Jesus) have come that they (you and me) may have life and have it to the full (meaning: love, peace, joy, purpose and fulfillment now here on earth) (John 10:10 and in eternity John 3:16).
BUT WE HAVE A PROBLEM:
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory (perfection) of God (Rom 3:23). You are a sinner. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (I John 1:8) For the wages (price) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23) This is speaking of a spiritual death, a separation from God, if you died physically in this condition you would be eternally separated from God or in other words condemned to hell forever!
God doesn’t expect us to become worthy (perfect) first. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). Our own efforts to become ‘good’ won’t pay the price for our sinful condition. We have to receive the gift of Christ by faith. 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 (Eph 2:8,9). For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the spirit, (I Pet 3:18).
And he who believes on (has faith in, clings to, relies on) the Son has (now possesses) eternal life. But whoever disobeys (is unbelieving toward, refuses to trust in, disregards, is not subject to) the Son will never see (experience) life. But instead the wrath of God abides on him (God’s displeasure remains on him; his indignation hangs over him continually) (John 3:36).
THE CRISIS OF BELIEF:
What will you have if you believe on, have faith in, cling to, rely on, and obey Jesus Christ?
What do you have right now if you don’t?
OUR ONLY ANSWER:
Jesus Christ said: I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).
The Bible teaches: 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (Rom 10: 9,10).
A simple prayer can express your faith: “Jesus I am a sinner, I believe you died to pay the price for my sins, were buried and rose again. I now make you the lord (boss) of my life. Thank you for eternal life. Amen.” If you said this prayer and meant it from your heart, welcome to the family of God!
Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24). And this is the testimony:
God has given us eternal life and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who 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 (I John 5:11-13).
OK, NOW WHAT DO I DO?
*Read the bible every day (Let God talk to you.) The book of John in the New Testament is a good place to start. Like food you eat to sustain your body, God’s word brings nourishment to your spirit.
*Pray every day (You talk to God). Prayer is two-way communication. As you mature you learn to be quiet, listen, and recognize the voice of the Lord, which will be in harmony with the Bible.
*Find a bible believing church to attend (Heb 10:24, 25) and tell the pastor what you have done (Matt 10:32,33) and that you want to be baptized. This symbolizes on the outside what has happened on the inside. You died to your old ways, and have been Born Again seeking God’s Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:20-21); it’s not like an earthly kingdom. The Kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic. You’ve read the requirements here in Phase 1; it’s already begun in the hearts of believers. It’s God’s Spirit in relationship in the hearts of people. To seek God’s Kingdom is to give Jesus control of every area of your life. He wants to help provide what you need as well as guide how you use what He provides. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:18-20).
REMEMBER: Our Assurance of being saved is based on God’s Word, the Bible not on feelings. Life can be hard and may bring you to many a rough road, but with Christ you are never walking it alone! As a believer we are no longer separated from the Love of God. We have received the gift of Christ. Now we can continue on in a personal intimate love relationship with Him.