Do you know Jesus Christ?  What first comes to mind when you hear the name of Jesus? Easter? Christmas? Church? Religion? Rules? Order? Conviction? Fictitious person? Fable? Skeptical? Prophet? Teacher?

But do you see Him as Savior? Your Savior? He is. How did He become your Savior? By willingly giving Himself over to become the ransom for the sins of every man, woman and child…  everyone… without exception. (1Timothy 2:5-6)

We are sinners. Me, you, everyone you know, everyone I know. And though “the wages of sin is death..” (Romans 6:23) We don’t have to die in our sinful state.  There is a free gift available to you from God through His Son Jesus. That gift will take away all of your sins and replace them with love and forgiveness.

What is this free gift?  Eternal life. And how does Jesus make that possible? He did that by dying on the cross for you.  He willingly took the punishment that we deserve as sinners. He himself took our sins on His body when He was nailed and crucified on the cross. He took every sin of mankind put them under the nails that were driven through his hands and feet.  Those nails that held Him on that Cross. Our sins were buried once and for all under the blood that He shed on that Cross.  All that was done 2000 years ago. And while that forgiveness of your sins is a free gift, it is not a gift that is forced on you.  You must ask to receive it.

You know you’ve heard the nudging.  You know you’ve felt His presence in your life. The only question now is… how will you respond to the call of Jesus?

You know the story… you’ve heard it before.  The Bible tells the story of God’s amazing love for ALL people. So much love that He – God – created us to reflect His image and to have a relationship with Him (Genesis 1:27). We were created good. God has never turned His back on you.  It is our decision to do this life on our own without God, instead of living our lives for God as we were designed – in harmony with Him.

We are all going to spend eternity somewhere. Do you know where you will spend eternity? Are you sure? Do you want to be sure? Do you want this free gift? Do you want to be sure of where you are going to spend eternity?  Are you tired of the battle? Do you want to lay it all down and know beyond a shadow of doubt that you are a chosen child of God? You can have all that.

If you would like to have a relationship with God, the Bible tells us that the first step is acknowledging that we have sinned and that there is nothing we can do to earn God’s forgiveness and unmerited love. (Romans 3:23-26).

Next, believe and confess that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9) and allow Him to guide your life. Where we once wanted to control our own futures, we now invite Jesus into our hearts to be Lord over our lives.

Knowing God’s peace, perspective, and purpose for your life begins with a personal relationship with Jesus.

So how do you do that? How do you talk to God, to confess your sins and ask His forgiveness? Read on and follow these steps to a New Life with Jesus.

God’s purpose is life and peace: God desires for you to have life and peace now and for all eternity.” I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10b

Recognizing sin and separation: We were created to know, love and glorify God. When we choose to go our own way, living life in disobedience to God, we are choosing to be separated from God – now and for all eternity. The Bible says we are ALL sinners…“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23  But God is love…“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16  And God is also just…“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

We cannot save ourselves: Because God is Holy, He will not allow sin to enter Heaven. Many people will try to save themselves by their own efforts, through good works or church attendance. The Bible says…“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12  How then can we, a sinful person, enter Heaven where God allows no sin?

By grace. God’s gift to us that we cannot earn and truly don’t deserve. The good news is… in spite of our sin, Jesus Christ died for us. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not of works, so that no one can boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9” But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Responding to God’s gift by faith: “If you declare 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

Would you like to ask Jesus to be Lord of your life?

“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions (sin) — it is by grace (God’s love) you have been saved.”  Ephesians 2:4-5

If you would like to accept Jesus as Lord of your life, pray the following prayer:

Lord, I confess that I am sinner.  I know that I cannot save myself from eternal death.  I have sinned against You and ask You to forgive me.  I acknowledge that I can never earn eternal salvation by my good works, so I come to You and trust in what Jesus did for me on the cross. 

I believe that You love me and that Your Son Jesus died for me and rose again so that I can be forgiven and come to know You.  I ask You to come into my heart and be Lord of my life.  I trust You with everything, and I thank You for loving me so much that I can know You here on earth and spend the rest of eternity with You in heaven. 

In Jesus name,
Amen. 

What do I do now?

Just like a new baby needs to be cared for and nurtured in order to grow physically, a child of God needs to be nurtured in order to grow spiritually.  Here’s how you can begin growing in Christ:

Tell someone: Tell a Pastor or Christian friend who will help you grow and find your gifts. “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:11, 12

Join the church: The church is where God’s family encourages and supports one another.  “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1

Be baptized: This is your first act of obedience. “So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” Acts 10:48

Pray and read your Bible daily: God communicates His will for your life through His Word and prayer. ”Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 Find a Christian bookstore in your community and purchase a Bible for yourself. It may be confusing as there are so many different translations.  Start with one – find a verse – for example, John 1:1, read it in a variety of different translations to see which you prefer. Once you have your bible… consider beginning to study it in the New Testament starting with the Book of John and then the Book of Acts.  Read, ponder and consider what the words of the Bible are saying to you.  Find yourself a good bible study teacher – most likely in your new church.  They will guide you in learning the Word!

Seek a Godly mentor: A mentor teaches you the ways of God and how to live a holy life. “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.” Titus 2:3

Share Your Story

I would love to hear from you if you have prayed the above prayer for the first time to ask Jesus into your life and heart…  or have recommitted to living a Christian life.