What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Devote yourself to unselfish deeds? Become a better person so God will accept you? You may be surprised that none of those things will work. God has made it very clear in the Bible how we can know Him. The following principles explain how you can personally begin a relationship with God, right now. Through Jesus Christ.
God’s Love
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
God’s Plan
Jesus speaking – “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” [That it may be full and meaningful] (John 10:10)
Why is are so many people not experiencing the abundant life Jesus offers?
Because…
We Are Sinful
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
We were created to have fellowship with God, but, because of our stubborn self-will we chose to go our own independent way. As a result, our fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion, or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.
We Are Separated
“For the wages of sin is death…” [Spiritual separation from God] (Romans 6:23). This Diagram illustrates that God is holy and people are sinful, resulting in a great gulf that separates us.
Jesus Died in Our Place
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)
Jesus Rose From the Dead
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
Jesus is the ONLY Way to God
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through
Me.’” (John 14:6)
We Must Receive Christ
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)
We Receive Christ Through Faith
“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, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
When we receive Christ, we experience a new birth.
We receive Christ by Personal Invitation
“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)
Receiving Christ involves repenting (turning to God from our selfish ways) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for your sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to just have an emotional experience. You receive Jesus Christ by faith as an act of the will, realizing that Jesus Christ, and His finished work on the cross, is the only thing that can save you.
Prayer is talking to God. God knows your heart and is not as concerned with your words as He is the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door
of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Please forgive me for every sin I have committed.
Take control of the throne of my life from this day forward and help me become the person You created me to be.
Thank you for forgiving me and granting me eternal life with You Lord. In Jesus’ Name I pray. – Amen”
If this prayer expresses the true desire of your heart, then Christ is in your life right now, as He promised.
