I want to share with you five points that are very basic, although they will help you better understand yourself and more importantly the Lord.
Just as there are manmade laws that govern our lands, such as local state and federal laws, there are also spiritual laws which govern your relationship with God.
Point One
God LOVES you so much, and he offers a wonderful PLAN for your life.
God's Love ~ "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
This verse is often misunderstood by others, because the Bible definition of believe is different than today’s modern definition. To believe (Biblically), means to commit to, or to cleave to. Remember even the devil believes in God, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19
Therefore we must do more than just believe, we must commit our lives to Him.
God's Plan ~ Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (that it might be full and meaningful) (John 10:10)
So why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life? Because...
Point Two
All men and women are SINFUL and SEPARATED from God. Therefore, we cannot know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.
Man is Sinful ~ "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.
Man is Separated ~ "For the [result] of sin is death" --spiritual separation from God (Romans 6:23)
The third point explains the only way to bridge the gap between you and the Lord...
Point Three
Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for Man's sin. Through Jesus you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life.
He Died in Our Place ~ "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
He Rose from the Dead ~ "... Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures ... he was buried ... he rose again the third day according to the scriptures ... he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once" (1st Corinthians 15:3-6)
He is the Only Way to God ~ "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.'" (John 14:6) (emphasis added on the)
It is not enough just to know these three points. The fourth point is essential...
Point Four
We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.
We Must Receive Jesus Christ ~ "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)
We Receive Christ Through Faith ~ "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
When we Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth ~ "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:3-8)
We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation ~ Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come to him" (Revelation 3:20)
Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us the kind of people He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of will...
Point Five
Once you become a born-again Christian, there must be some evidence that you are a new person in Jesus Christ.
A New Change ~ "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2nd Corinthians 5:17)
There Must be Some Fruit (evidence) ~ "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works (deeds or service) is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" (James 2:20-22)
Yes it is true that works, service or good deeds do not save us. Although they are the evidence of our salvation...
Are you ready for the next step?
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer (Prayer is talking with God)
God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.
Below is a suggested prayer. Remember you must mean it from your heart.
Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.!
Does the above prayer express the desires of your heart? If it does, pray this prayer right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, in the form of His Holy Spirit, just as He promised.
We are very excited if you received Jesus Christ as your Lord, and if you decided to follow Him. We would now love to help you grow as a Christian. Please let me know if you need any further assistance, or if you made a decision to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
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