"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."(Romans 10:13) |
The Bible states it this way, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
GOD'S PURPOSE IS THAT WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. |
"The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:3).
Eternal life gives meaning to life.
YET. . . . .
Our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling
God's purpose for our lives. Thus. . . . .
OUR NEED IS TO UNDERSTAND OUR PROBLEM. |
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23).
"Not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:9).
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23).
It is true that:
God is holy and just and must punish sin, yet He loves us and has provided forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6).
GOD'S PROVISION IS JESUS CHRIST. |
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." (1 Peter 3:18)
"He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our
justification." (Romans 4:25).
That is good news, . . . . but the only way
Jesus can affect our lives is for us to receive Him.
The Bible says,"But as many as received
him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
(
John 1:12 KJV).
That choice is ours. Thus . . . .
OUR RESPONSE IS TO RECEIVE JESUS. |
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out" (Acts 3:19).
REPENTANCE IS NOT JUST FEELING SORRY for our sin.
"Repent and turn to God, and do works [which give evidence of] repentance." (Acts 26:20 KJV).
REPENTANCE IS TURNING TO GOD through Jesus and away from our sin. It's like making a U-turn. As we turn . . . .
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
FAITH IS NOT JUST BELIEVING FACTS about jesus.
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." (James 2:19).
FAITH
TO TRUST TOTALLY IN JESUS MEANS . . . . .
IS TRUSTING IN JESUS.
It's like taking a trip on an airplane. You will never make the trip until you trust the plane enough to
board it.
"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. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10).
SURRENDERING to Jesus as Lord is not just
saying we give our lives to Jesus.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he
who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
(Matthew 7:21).
SURRENDERING to Jesus as Lord means
giving Jesus control of our lives.
To give Jesus control of our lives is like driving down the highway with another person. As long as you are driving, you are in control. If you realize you don't know the way, but the other person does, you might say, "You take the wheel and drive." Then the other person is in control and the two of you take the route he chooses.
As evidence of giving Jesus control, you will want to identify with Him. The New Testament way is to confess Jesus publicly (Matthew 10:32-33) and to follow Him in baptism and church fellowship (Acts 2:41).
THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: |
The Bible says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13).
Dear God, I know that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross and was raised from the dead. I know I have sinned and need forgiveness. I am willing to turn from my sins and receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
YOU KNOW YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE: |
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13 KJV). |
"Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." ( Luke 10:20 KJV). |
You need to grow as a Christian. |
The Bible calls new Christians "babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1).
You identify with your new
family by confessing Jesus publicly and by experiencing believer's baptism.
"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three
thousand were added to their number that day."
(Acts 2:41).
Attend church Sunday and
share with the pastor that you desire to be baptized and become a part of their
fellowship.
Without certain essentials, babies will not develop normally.
What are these essentials?
THE CHURCH is to a new Christian what
the home and family are to a
new baby.
PRAYING is to spiritual life what breathing is to physical life. Breathing must be regular and continuous. The Bible says, "Pray without ceasing" ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV).
Learn to be specific in your praying. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9).
THE BIBLE is to a new Christian what good food is to a new baby. Good food is a daily requirement for proper growth. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" ( 1 Peter 2:2 KJV).
LEARNING TO WITNESS is to a new Christian what learning to talk is to a new baby. Christ commands us to share the good news with others. "You will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8).
If you have read this page and still have not made a commitment to Jesus Christ, consider the following:
There are only three possible answers to the question, "What will you do with Jesus Christ?"
So, in reality, there are only two answers to the question, "What will you do with Jesus Christ?" To accept His free gift of salvation or to reject that gift.
If you would like to reconsider, then click here.
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