NO MATTER HOW GOOD A LIFE WE TRY TO LIVE, WE STILL FALL MISERABLY SHORT OF BEING A GOOD PERSON. THAT IS BECAUSE WE ARE ALL SINNERS. THE BIBLE SAYS THAT ALL HAVE SINNED, NO ONE IS GOOD—NOT EVEN ONE. BECAUSE OF SIN IN OUR LIVES WE WERE SEPARATED FROM GOD.
BUT THERE IS HOPE...
THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT "GOD SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US BY SENDING CHRIST TO DIE FOR US WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS." THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS, THAT GOD LOVES US SO MUCH THAT HE SENT HIS ONLY SON TO DIE IN OUR PLACE WHEN WE LEAST DESERVED IT. JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE SO THAT WE CAN BE FORGIVEN.
BUT HOW DO WE RECEIVE THIS FREE GIFT?
THE BIBLE TELLS US, "REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND TURN TO GOD, SO THAT YOUR SINS MAY BE WIPED AWAY." THE WORD REPENT MEANS TO CHANGE OUR DIRECTION IN LIFE. INSTEAD OF RUNNING FROM GOD, WE CAN RUN TOWARD HIM.
BECOMING A CHRISTIAN IS NOT MERELY BELIEVING SOME CREED OR GOING TO CHURCH. IT IS HAVING CHRIST HIMSELF TAKE RESIDENCE IN YOUR LIFE AND HEART. JESUS SAID, "BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK. IF ANYONE HEARS MY VOICE AND OPENS THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN . . ." IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, SIMPLY PRAY THIS PRAYER AND MEAN IT IN YOUR HEART.
"DEAR LORD JESUS, I KNOW I AM A SINNER. I BELIEVE YOU DIED FOR MY SINS. RIGHT NOW, I TURN FROM MY SINS AND OPEN THE DOOR OF MY HEART AND LIFE. I CONFESS YOU AS MY PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME. AMEN."
If you prayed that prayer, congratulations! You have made the most important decision of your life, choosing to follow Jesus. Welcome to God's family!
As a new believer, you can expect to have new attitudes and desires. You may need to replace some old habits and patterns with new activities that will help you to grow your new life in Christ. Growth takes time, but it begins—right now—where you are.
The Bible will tell you everything you need to know in order to grow in your spiritual life. Because God speaks through His Word, you will get to know Him better and learn what pleases Him. As you obey His Word, you will grow strong and begin to see positive changes in your life.
Prayer is one of the greatest privileges we have as a child of God. Just think, the God of all creation wants to hear from you! You can call on the Lord any hour of the day or night and He will listen. It doesn't matter to God if your prayers are eloquent or flowery—it matters only that you pray with a pure and sincere heart.
Church plays a vital role in your spiritual growth. Fellowship with other Christians will keep you spiritually active and give you much needed encouragement and support. Church provides you with instruction from God's Word and gives you the training and opportunity to use your God-given gifts and abilities.
Good news is hard to keep to yourself! God wants you to share your newfound faith with others. You don't have to wait until you're an expert in the Bible to witness to others. You can share what you know—your own story of what Jesus has done for you.
Content on this page is used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie, PO Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514.
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