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"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God,
that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13 Friend, you have not landed on this page by accident. You are here for a reason, and that reason is that God loves you and He wants to have a personal relationship with you through His Son Jesus Christ! There is just one problem. Sin. The one thing that separates all of us from God is our sin.
AcknowledgeThe Bible describes sin like this: it is simply our failure to measure up to God’s holiness and His righteous standards. We sin by the things we do, choices we make, attitudes we show, and thoughts we entertain. But we also sin when we know what's right but fail to do it. Sin is the transgression of God's law. God is pure and holy and cannot look on our sinful nature.
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"Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." I John 3:4
"You [God] who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong [sin]." Habakkuk 1:13
“As it is written: none is righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10
"You [God] who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong [sin]." Habakkuk 1:13
“As it is written: none is righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10
In Romans 3:10 the Bible affirms what we already know, “none is righteous, no, not one”. No matter how good we try to be, none of us will ever measure up to God's standards.
Have you ever read the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21?
Have you ever read the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21?
- You shall have no other Gods but me.
- You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.
- You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
- You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.
- Respect your father and mother.
- You must not commit murder.
- You must not commit adultery.
- You must not steal.
- You must not give false evidence against your neighbor.
- You must not be envious of your neighbor's goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.
James 2:10 tells us that even if we just fail in keeping one of these commandments, we are guilty of breaking all of them. None of us are perfect. None of us can keep God's law. None of us can measure up to His standard. None of us are holy and blameless like Him.
People tend to divide themselves into two groups, good people and bad people. But God see the hearts of men and says that everyone is a sinner. It's this sin that separates us from God and keeps us from having that relationship with Him that our souls crave.
People tend to divide themselves into two groups, good people and bad people. But God see the hearts of men and says that everyone is a sinner. It's this sin that separates us from God and keeps us from having that relationship with Him that our souls crave.
"For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it." James 2:10
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Many people are confused about the way to God. Some think they will be punished or rewarded according to how good they are. Some think they should make things right in their lives before they try to come to God. Others find it hard to understand how Jesus could love them, when no one else does. And still others say God is love and would never send anyone to hell. God is love, but He is also just. In His just judgment He has given man a freewill to choose right or wrong, life or death, Heaven or Hell, eternity with Him or eternity without Him.
“Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41
"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers,
the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars,
their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41
"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers,
the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars,
their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
Believe
Friend, I have good news for you! God loves you! And He loves you much more than you can ever imagine! There is nothing you can do to make Him stop loving you! There's nothing you can do to make Him love you less, and there's nothing you can do to make Him love you more. But that's not even the really Good News! We're about to get to that.
Yes, our sins demand punishment. The punishment for sin is death and eternal separation from God. However, because of His great love for us, and Him mercy, God sent His only Son Jesus to die and pay the price for our sins! That's the REALLY Good News.
Yes, our sins demand punishment. The punishment for sin is death and eternal separation from God. However, because of His great love for us, and Him mercy, God sent His only Son Jesus to die and pay the price for our sins! That's the REALLY Good News.
"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin,
and so death spread to all men because all sinned. Romans 5:12
"And the Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." I Peter 3:18
"For our sake He [God] made Him [Jesus] to be sin Who knew no sin,
so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." II Corinthians 5:21
"The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." I John 1:7
"It is finished." John 19:30
"Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures [and] was raised on the third day." I Corinthians 15:3-4
and so death spread to all men because all sinned. Romans 5:12
"And the Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." I Peter 3:18
"For our sake He [God] made Him [Jesus] to be sin Who knew no sin,
so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." II Corinthians 5:21
"The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." I John 1:7
"It is finished." John 19:30
"Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures [and] was raised on the third day." I Corinthians 15:3-4
Before we can have a relationship with God we have to get rid of our sin problem. However, in our own strength, not one of us can do that! You can't make yourself right with God by being a better person, and neither can I. Only God can rescue us from our sin. He is willing to do this for you not because of anything you can offer Him, but JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU!
"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His great mercy." Titus 3:5
Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God. It's God's grace that allows you and me to come to Him. It's not our efforts to clean up our messed up life or work our way into Heaven. We can't earn it. It's a free gift! For by grace...
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is counted as righteousness." Romans 4:4-5
it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is counted as righteousness." Romans 4:4-5
We have nothing to boast about. For you or me to come to God, the penalty for our sin must be paid. God's free gift of grace to us is His Son, Jesus, who paid that debt for our sin when He died on the Cross at Calvary.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
The debt has been paid! Jesus paid the price for your sin and mine by giving His life on a cross at a place called Calvary. on that cross He said, "It is finished!" And it was! The debt we owed was paid in full. Jesus arose from the dead three days later. He exited the grave and provided the way for us to have a personal relationship with God.
Confess
When we realize how deeply our sin grieves the heart of God, and just how desperately we need a Savior, we are ready to receive God's free gift of salvation.
To confess that we are sinners means we turn away from our sin and selfishness and turning to follow Jesus. The Bible calls this repentance. Repentance means I change my thinking. It's a change of heart.
When you come to this point, all that's left for you to do is to accept the free gift that Jesus is offering you right now.
God says that if you believe on His son, Jesus Christ, you will be saved and you will live for all eternity with Him in Heaven.
Eternity is a long time! This is an important decision.
To confess that we are sinners means we turn away from our sin and selfishness and turning to follow Jesus. The Bible calls this repentance. Repentance means I change my thinking. It's a change of heart.
When you come to this point, all that's left for you to do is to accept the free gift that Jesus is offering you right now.
God says that if you believe on His son, Jesus Christ, you will be saved and you will live for all eternity with Him in Heaven.
Eternity is a long time! This is an important decision.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
"But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:3
"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10
"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
"But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:3
"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10
"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
Receive
Are you ready to accept, by faith, the free gift of eternal life that Jesus is offering you today?
Let's review what this commitment involves:
- I acknowledge I am a sinner in need of a Savior. This is to realize that I do not measure up to God's standard.
- I believe the Jesus died for my sin and rose again. This is to trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for my sins.
- I confess my sin to God. This is to repent or turn away from my sin and surrender control of my life to Jesus Christ.
- I receive Jesus as my Savior for eternity. This is to accept that God has done for me and in me what He promised.
Acknowledge | Believe | Confess | Receive
It really is just that simple friend. If it is your sincere desire to receive Jesus into your life today as your personal Lord and Savior, then talk to God, from your heart right now.
Here's a Suggested Prayer:
"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 creation and to prepare me to dwell in your presence for eternity. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive me of my sins and save me. I am now placing my trust in You and You alone for my salvation and I accept, by faith, your free gift of eternal life."
If you have just prayed this prayer and you trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please let us know! We want to hear you story! We want to rejoice with you in what God has done in your life.
What Now?
Now that you are a Christian, a new creation in Jesus Christ, your story will be filled with life-changing experiences. Growing in knowledge and understanding of God and His Word, the Bible, and in your Christian walk with Him is essential.
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Here are six ways you can grow as a Christian:
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Books To Help You Grow
If you are looking for a great daily devotional to help you grow as a new Christian we have three suggestions.
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First, a devotional for couples, Moments with You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey will help you grow in your Christian walk together as a couple.
"What is the true secret to spiritual growth for couples? Dennis and Barbara Rainey know from experience that the secret is more moments together. In the pages of Moments with You, the Raineys offer just what couples need to get started or to continue growing in their quiet times together. These short but poignant biblical devotions are enjoyable and easy to use, providing a daily discussion point, prayer and Scripture reference. Married couples desiring a deeper spiritual connection with God and their spouse will come to treasure their time spent over Moments with You. For married couples of all ages and at all stages of life." --goodreads |
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Second, a devotional for women, God Hears Her by Our Daily Bread.
"You need to know that God hears you. The story of Hannah in I Samuel tells of one woman’s personal heartache and trust in the One who could fulfill her desires. She poured her heart out to God, and He heard her. The Our Daily Bread devotionals selected for this collection reassure you that God is with you, God is for you, and God hears you. The personal stories, Scripture passages, and inspirational quotes lift you up and remind you that God is bigger than the trials you face." --goodreads God Hears Her contains 365 daily devotions written by women for women. It makes a great gift, with its small size and attractive hardcover binding. Pickup one today to encourage yourself and get another to encourage a friend! |
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Lastly, a devotional for men, also from Our Daily Bread, is Great is Thy Faithfulness. Don't we so often need to be reminded of the faithfulness of God? This little 356-day devotional will do just that. It's beautifully bound and is a wonderful little devotional for the guys in your life! The faithfulness of God is a theme that runs throughout the collection of Our Daily Bread meditations. Each day reminds us that God is with us in all of life's circumstances. In Him we will find 'strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow!' Just as the Scripture-based hymn highlights God's steadfast love, this devotional will encourage you to trust and thank Him through all the seasons of your life. |
Still Have Questions?
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Check out The God Diagnosis. It chronicles the unique journey of a successful surgeon who finds the fulfillment of all his life dreams empty, lonely, and depressing.
Embarking on a quest for truth and the answers to life's basic questions, Dr. Viehman finds himself at the epicenter of the most mind blowing diagnosis of his life. In a riveting journey through investigation, testing, and personal struggles Dr. Viehman recounts his journey from death to life in a way that will resonate with anyone seeking the facts and examining the evidence for themselves. If you have unsaved friends, especially of the highly gifted or intelligent type, The God Diagnosis will be a great challenge to their reasoning! The good doctor has already done all the legwork for them (and you). He's investigated. He's reasoned. He's made a diagnosis of God, the Bible, the truth, Christianity, and he lays it all out in this book. |
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