It seems that people everywhere are searching for peace and meaning in life. Looking within themselves, a lot of people seem to be happy relying on their own abilities for fulfillment. Then again, there are others who feel that there is no way to find meaning to life on this earth.
Today in America, there is a new “spirituality” sweeping the land. However, people are still feeling frustrated and lonely…hurt and trapped. They so desperately want peace, joy, fulfillment, and lasting security. Does that sound like you?
God’s Word gives only one remedy for this condition. We must be delivered from sin and its consequences in order to find true peace and fulfillment through Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
The Bible reveals everything you need to know about having a personal relationship with God. As you read the following, ask God to make clear how to have a relationship with Him and also carefully consider your response.
GOD’S PURPOSE: SALVATION
“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, New International Version)
There are several important things found in this verse.
1. The only true God, the Creator and sustainer of the universe, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, here to earth to die for our sins. God did this to cancel out our sin and enable Him, a perfect God, to have a personal relationship with each of us.
2. God didn’t reserve His love for just a select few, but offers it to everyone in the whole world.
3. Though under no obligation, God willingly sacrificed His perfect Son to die in our place.
4. The greatness of God’s sacrifice is awesome because Jesus is His only Son.
5. The gift of eternal life is available only as we trust in Christ’s sacrifice as the only way for our sin to be cancelled out, or forgiven. If we don’t trust that Jesus is the only remedy for our sin, we face eternal death.
6. In Christ we are offered both eternal life after our earthly death and God’s joy and peace during this life on earth.
OUR PROBLEM: SEPARATION FROM GOD
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, NIV)
Sin has destroyed the close relationship that God intended for us to have with Him. Beginning with Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, all of us have chosen to disobey God. We may sin in different ways, but we are all guilty and we all deserve punishment. Our sin has separated us eternally from God.
Throughout history, we have attempted to recover our lost relationship with God and bridge the separation. We have looked to philosophy and religion and have counted on our good works and self-reliance. The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12, NIV) No human effort will ever compensate for our sin. Is God being unreasonable? No. He is a perfect and holy God, and holiness can’t tolerate sin. Our sin can’t be covered over; it needs to be cancelled so that our relationship with God can be restored. There is only one remedy for our separation from God—Jesus Christ.
GOD’S REMEDY: THE CROSS
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6, NIV)
Jesus Christ is the only solution to your separation from God. By dying on the cross and coming back to life, He paid the penalty for your sin, canceling your debt and bridging the gap between God and you.
Having faith in Christ means believing that His death and resurrection is the only way you can be saved. Your part is to have complete faith. In other words, stop trying to achieve salvation by your own efforts, and choose to trust Christ.
OUR RESPONSE: TRUST CHRIST
“To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12, NIV)
Have you ever trusted Christ as your Savior and Lord? You can choose to do that right now. Here’s what you do—
1. Admit that you can’t save yourself; you need God.
2. Be willing to turn away (repent) from your sin.
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the dead.
4. Pray and ask Jesus Christ to save you from your sin. Ask Him to take control of your life and be your Lord and Savior.
Here’s a sample of a prayer you might say:
Dear Lord, I know that I’m a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust you as my personal Savior and follow you as the Lord of my life. Amen.
If you prayed to ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior, you are now a child of God!
GOD’S ASSURANCE: HIS WORD
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13, NIV)
God wants you to be confident in your salvation. Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your life? If you answered, “Yes,” then He has given you eternal life and spiritually lives within you. How can you be sure? The Bible, God’s perfect Word, promises that God will give you the strength to continually put your trust in Jesus. This will bring security and peace in your life each day.
The Bible says, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:12-13, NIV)
When you trust in Christ, you have eternal life. While you may sometimes doubt what God has done for you, depend on the truth of what is written in His Word, and ask Him to continue to reveal to you who He is.
If you have invited Jesus Christ into your life as a result of this website, or if you have questions about taking this important step, please let us know. You may call Pastor Glenn on his cell phone 24 hour a day, 7 days a week: (262) 672-1835 or email us at plymouth@plymouthracine.org.
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