You’re not here by accident.
God loves you. He wants you to know Him through Jesus, His Son. There is just one thing that separates you from God. That one thing is sin. That word “sin” means “missing the mark.” No matter how moral, religious or good you might think you are...WE ALL MISS THE MARK.
See religion would say you need to do better, earn God's love, make your own way. It’s frustrating because you never know if you’ve done enough or been good enough to please God.
We find ourselves comparing our lives to those around us. “At least I’m not that bad.” God doesn’t compare one human being with another and grade on the curve. God compares all of humanity with himself and we all come up short. ALL OF US DESERVE SEPERATION FROM GOD BECAUSE OF OUR SIN!
"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." Romans 3:23
Our sin is so serious, so severe, that something drastic had to be done to fix it. It would be hopeless if it were left up to us because there is nothing we could ever do to make it right.
This is where God stepped in on our behalf.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” – Romans 5:8
The word justified means that you stand before God spotless, pure, and without sin. GOD SEES YOU AS JUST
This is GREAT NEWS! There’s nothing about your effort in here at all. You have been justified by an act of God's love!
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
BOTTOM LINE: We have been made pure, standing blameless in front of God, not because of any kind of religious or moral pursuit, not because of your baptism, not because you say certain prayers, but because Jesus Christ died, in His death He absorbed all of God’s wrath for you and me.
In His rising to life He give us a NEW LIFE
All we have to do is receive it with repentant hearts.
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” Titus 3:5
How do I become a follower of Jesus?
Acknowledge you are a sinner, repent and turn from your sin.
Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for your sins.
Receive Jesus as your Savior and believe that God has come into your life.
If it is your sincere desire to receive Jesus into your life as your personal Lord and Savior, then talk to God with a sincere heart.
THERE ARE NO MAGICAL WORDS the precise words you use are not important. He knows the intentions of your heart.
If you are unsure of what to pray, this might help you put it into words:
“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new person and to give me a new life. Jesus, I repent of my sin and turn to you. Please come into my life, forgive my sins and save me. I trust in You for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life.”
If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then He has come into your life as He promised. You are a new person, and the past is forgiven.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
What do I do now?
These basic practices will help you grow closer to Jesus, love Him more, and help you share His love with others:
Read God’s Word (the Bible) daily – this is how He speaks to you. As you learn more about Him and obey His Word, you will become more like Him.
Pray daily – “Teach us to pray,” the disciples asked Jesus, and He taught them the simple prayer in Luke 11:1-4. Prayer is simply talking with God.
Share your faith – once you have experienced new life in Christ, you will want to share His love and forgiveness with others.
Attend a Bible-believing church – this will help you grow in your new life in Christ, as you learn from the teaching of God’s Word, and be encouraged together with other believers. If you don’t have a church we would love to see you at Abundant Life. Share your decision for Jesus with us at AMEN CORNER—Tell us your story