Do you want to belong to Him? It's as simple as A, B, C.
A = Admit
Admit to God that you are a sinner. Everyone of us has a problem that the Bible calls "sin." Sin is refusal to acknowledge God's authority over our lives. Every person who does not live a life of perfect obedience to the Lord is guilty of sin. The Bible tells us that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Since none of us is perfect, all of us are sinners (Romans 3:10-18).
The result of sin is spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Spiritual death means eternal separation from God. By God's perfect standard we are guilty of sin, and therefore subject to the punishment for sin - which is separation from God. Admitting that you are a sinner and separated from God is the first step of repentance, which is turning from sin and self, and turning toward God.
B = Believe
Believe in Jesus Christ as God's son and receive Jesus' gift of forgiveness from sin. God loves each of us, and offers us salvation. Although we have done nothing to deserve His love and salvation, God wants to save us. In the death of Jesus on the cross, God provided salvation for all who would repent of their sins and believe in Jesus. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
You might be thinking: After what I’ve done to grieve God… HOW could He willingly die in my place?
Romans 5:8 gives us the beautiful answer: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." While Jesus died on the cross, He was mocked, spit upon, and cursed. Yet He still cried out, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do…” (Lk 23:34) With deep love for you, Jesus died in your place… knowing every evil act, word, and thought you would commit.
He loves you unconditionally - even to the point of death when you are/were at your worst!
Tell Jesus how you feel, tell Him that you believe Him, you believe Who He is, and you receive what He has done for you. Then ask Him to forgive your sins and to be Lord of your life. Give yourself - your heart, your life, your plans, your past, your future, your ALL to Him... and He will give back to you forgiveness, freshness, fulfilling love, and eternal life with Him!
John 1:12 promises us that "to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name."
C = Confess
Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. After you have received Jesus Christ into your life, share your decision with another person. Tell your pastor or a Christian friend about your decision. Tell me! :-) Then tell others of the freedom and forgiveness you have found in Jesus! Romans 10:9-10 says, "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." Don't keep the good news to yourself! Confess it and share it!
What's next? How do I get that "intimacy with Jesus"?
Grow in your relationship with Jesus by getting to know Him through His Word. "Eat" His word daily. Just as you need food to sustain your physical life, you need His Word to sustain your spiritual life. Start reading the Bible in the book of John. If you don't have a Bible, you can find a ton of versions online at www.BibleGateway.com.
Get to know Jesus and how much He loves you. When you read the Bible, don’t worry about what you don’t understand. Just obey what you do understand, and you’ll find that the Scriptures will come alive to you. You will also find yourself so very loved, and you will start to love Jesus. That's the beginning of that beautiful intimacy with Him.
Pray about everything. Nothing is too big or too small for God! Philippians 4:6-7 tells us
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7. New Living Translation
Find a church that teaches and preaches the Bible, and plant yourself in it. (Contact us! We'd love to have you in our church!!!) You will need the strength of the fellowship of other believers. They will bless you, and you will bless them.
You should also now confess Jesus, your Savior, before others. Share about your new faith in Christ with your family, coworkers and those whom God has placed on your daily path. Who are you going to share Jesus with today?
Want more?
Click here to learn to study the Bible by yourself and for yourself - and how to start having a daily "quiet time" with Jesus.
Dear new sister or brother, we absolutely can't wait for you to see the difference that knowing Jesus intimately makes in your life!!! We are praying for you!
With love from your sisters in Christ,
the FBCC ladies
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for visiting! We love to hear what's on your heart. :-)