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.