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How To Begin A
Personal
Relationship With Jesus Christ
1. God Loves You
I want you to know that you are special. God made
you and He loves you very much. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the
world, that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whosoever
believeth in him (Jesus) should not perish but have everlasting life."
God wants you to live an abundant life now, and He wants to take you
to Heaven when you die. Since God planned this kind of life for you,
and wants you to have it, why don't you have it automatically? It's
because.....
2. You Are A Sinner In Need Of
Forgiveness
Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam),
sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all
men, for that all have sinned." Yes, you were born with a sin nature
as a result of Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden. We are NOT sinners
because we sin; we sin because we ARE sinners.
3. Your Sin Separates You From
God
Romans 6:23a says, "The wages (payment) of sin is
death (to be eternally separated from God)"... However, God does not
want you to be separated from Him for all eternity. That's why.....
4. God Wants To Forgive You
Romans 6:23b,"...the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:8, "But commendeth
(demonstrated) His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us." I Peter 3:18a, "For Christ also hath once
suffered for sins, the just (Jesus) for the unjust (mankind) that He
might bring us to God." When someone gives you a gift, do you have to
pay for it or earn it in some way? The answer is NO! All you have to
do is accept it. God has a gift for you....eternal life through Jesus
Christ. Jesus has done His part...now, your part is...
5. You Must Turn Away From Your
Sins
You cannot save your self or earn God's forgiveness
as a result of being good enough. Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are
you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of
God, not of works, lest any man should boast." Just as you change
directions when you realize you're walking the wrong way, you must
repent, or turn away from your sin and turn TO God for forgiveness.
Luke 13:5 says, "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will
all perish." In order to receive this gift...
6. You Must Place Your Faith in
Jesus Alone
When you realize you are walking in the wrong
direction, you turn to find the right way. Jesus is the right way. As
you turn from sin, place your faith in Jesus to receive forgiveness
and eternal life. Acts 20:21 says, "I have declared to both Jews and
Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our
Lord Jesus." And John 14:6 says, "Jesus answered, 'I am the Way, the
Truth and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by me.'"
7. You Receive Jesus Christ
Through Prayer
I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins (the doing of
sin), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us
from all unrighteousness." If you recognize that you are a sinner and
are willing to turn from sin and turn to Christ for forgiveness, then
you will want to pray this prayer and mean it with all your heart.
Dear Father, I know I am a sinner. I ask you to
forgive all my sin. I believe Jesus is your one and only Son and
that He paid the penalty for my sin on the cross. Right now, I
invite Jesus to come into my heart and life, and live there forever
as my Lord. I want to live for you and serve you. Thank you for
hearing my prayer and saving me. Amen.
8. What Do I Do Now
You need to find a good Bible believing/teaching
church where you can worship God and learn more about Him through His
Word, the Bible. If you want more help, please call 1-888-NEED-HIM
(1-888-633-3446) to talk to someone about your decision or if you have
more questions.
Some material was taken from 'Youth
In Discovery", Youth Life and Work Series-published by the Sunday
School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Scripture passages
taken from the Holy Bible, King James and New International versions.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. |
