What is a Christian?
Steps to Knowing God
God
loves you and wants you to know that He has a plan for your life.
The Bible says: "I came that they
might have life, and might have it abundantly." John 10:10b (NASB)
God
has given each of us a free will to choose to follow or to reject Him. Unfortunately,
since Adam man has chosen to disobey God and to go his own way. Everyone has
sinned against God.
The Bible says: "For all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
As
hard as you may try, nothing you can do will compensate for your sins and bring
you back into a right relationship with God.
The Bible says: "For by grace
you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift
of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Someone
must pay for your sins before you can be rightly-related to God. Because you
cannot pay, God did. He loves you so much that He sent His perfect, sinless
son Jesus to earth to be crucified on a cross for your sins. When Jesus died
that agonizing death, He paid the penalty for you.
The Bible says: "For God so loved
the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
If
Jesus had not risen from the dead, you would still be separated from God by
your sins. But He did. Jesus could not be overcome by death. He came back to
life and now lives in heaven with His Father.
The Bible says: "That if you confess
with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God hath raised
him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9
Because
Christ died for your sins, He has the power to forgive your sins and wash them
away.
The Bible says, "If we confess
our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9
Jesus
wants to give you the gift of salvation. But He won't push His way into your
life. You have to invite Him into your heart and ask Him to be your Savior and
the Lord of your life.
Jesus says: "Behold, I stand at
the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come
in to him." Revelation 3:20
You
can ask Him to come into your heart right now. Pray this prayer, or a similar
one. The words you use aren't as important as the meaning that comes from your
heart.
"Jesus, I am a sinner. Thank you
for taking my place and dying for my sins. Right now, I open the door of my
heart and accept You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for forgiveness and
for giving me a new life. Help me to be what You want me to be and to live
each day for You. Amen.
Now what?
If you sincerely asked
Jesus into your heart, you have been reborn as a member of the family of God.
To continue to grow in your relationship with Christ, you need to do the following
things:
Tell
someone about your decision to live for Christ.
Jesus says: "Everyone therefore
who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before my Father
who is in heaven." Matthew 10:32
Read
and study your Bible. God speaks to us through the Bible to let us know what
He wants to do for us and through us.
The Bible says: "Be diligent to
present yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed,
handling accurately the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15
Pray
every day. Talk to God and tell him about all of your joys and your problems.
He wants you to depend on Him. Also, be sure to listen for God speaking to you.
The Bible says: "Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses
all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phillipians 4:6-7
Attend
a Bible-teaching church. In fellowship with other believers we can encourage
one another, study the Bible, worship the Lord and pray.
Jesus says: "Again I say to you,
that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall
be done for them of My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have
gathered in My name, there am I in their midst." Matthew 18:19-20
If you prayed and accepted Christ
as your Savior, we would love to hear from you. Drop us a note at KJIL via
e-mail. You can also reach us by phone at (877) 813-5366 from 8am to 5pm M -
F . We would like to pray with you, answer any questions and encourage you as
you begin your Christian Walk.
The proceeding was used
by permission of Winning Walk Ministries, 1-800-WIN-WALK
(946-9255).
<<
Back to Prayer

|