You may have realized that God had divinely intersected your life with one or more believers that have prompted you to investigate what it means to know Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him. Below, using the Bible as our guide, we have attempted to answer some of the basic questions about life and God’s work to restore us into a relationship with Himself.
Why am I here?
I am created BY GOD to LOVE GOD and fulfill His purpose for my life.
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Colossians 1:16
Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38
What’s the problem?
Because of my sinful attitude and life, I’m SEPARATED from God.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:23
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Ephesians 4:18
What do I need to realize?
I can’t WORK OR EARN my way back into God’s acceptance.
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
Why is Jesus important?
The sinless LIFE, sacrificial DEATH, and bodily RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ make a relationship with God possible.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Romans 4:25
How should I respond to Jesus?
I must TRUST in Jesus Christ to forgive me, change me, and save me.
Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
And we … are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… Ephesians 2:8
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:9
What should I know about my relationship with Jesus?
If I have been born again spiritually, my relationship with Jesus Christ will last FOREVER!
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God. John 1:12-13 (NLT)
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:14, 27
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13
What does God want me to do?
ADMIT that God has not been first place in your life and ask Him to forgive your sins.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
BELIEVE that Jesus died to pay for your sins and that He rose again on Easter, and is alive today.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified … As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Romans 10:10-11
ACCEPT God’s free gift of salvation. Don’t try to earn it.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
INVITE Jesus Christ to come into your life and be the director (“Lord”) of your life.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
You can take these steps by praying a simple prayer of commitment to God:
“Dear Jesus, thank you for making me and loving me, even when I’ve ignored you and gone my own way. I realize I need you in my life and I’m sorry for my sins. I ask you to forgive me. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Please help me to understand it more. As much as I know how, I want to follow you from now on. Please come into my life and make me a new person inside. I accept your gift of salvation. Please help me to grow now as a Christian.” Amen.
