Someone once said, "knowing Christ died --- that's history. Believing He died for me --- that's salvation." A personal relationship with God begins with an event Jesus referred to as a new birth (see John 3:3). Only when we are born spiritually into God's family do we become HIS children, HIS friends, HIS servants, and members of HIS spiritual kingdom.

    To begin this personal relationship, you must take these steps:

    ADMIT YOUR NEED

    We come into this world physically alive but spiritually dead - missing out on the quality of life for which God made us. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (see Romans 3:23), "There is none righteous, no, not one" (see Romans 3:10), and "The wages of sin is death" (see Romans 6:23).

    REALIZE WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU

    God loved us enough to send His own Son into this world to rescue us from the devastating effects of our sin (see John 1:1-14 & John 3:16). Jesus died in our place, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to pay the price of sin. With one sacrifice, He paid for the least - and the worst - of our sin.

    PERSONALLY BELIEVE AND RECEIVE GOD'S GIFT

    No one is saved by trying to be good. We are saved by trusting in Christ. The Bible says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

    The actual words we say to God to receive this gift may vary. What is important is that we believe Him enough to be able to say, "God, I know I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, that He died for my sins, and that He rose from the dead to prove it. Now I accept Your offer of eternal life. I accept Jesus as Your gift for my salvation."

    If this is the honest expression of your heart, you have entered into a personal relationship with God! If you have made this decision today, PLEASE send me an e-mail and I will pray for you and with you, and I will also recommend some helpful reading material for you. This is the single most important decision you will ever make in your life! Make sure you know right now where you'll be spending eternity.

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