Step One
God's Purpose: Peace and Life
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life--abundant and eternal.
The Bible says...
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
Why don't most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have?
Step Two
The Problem: Our Separation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice.
We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.
The Bible says...
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Our Attempts to Reach God
People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God...
The Bible says...
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:2
No bridge reaches God...except one.
Step Three
God's Bridge: The Cross
Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins. He was resurrected from death and is alive today! Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and makes it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins begin anew! He bridged the gap between God and people.
The Bible says...
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
Step Four
Our Response: Believe and trust inJesus as your Savior and Lord
We put our faith in Jesus Christ because of the grace and love God has shown to us. We now rejoice to call him our Lord and Savior and live as part of his eternal family.
The Bible says...
"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
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
"That 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." Romans 10:9
Where are you?
Do you understand the Grace of God in and through Jesus death and resurrection?
Will you accept the Holy Spirit's moving in your life with faith, and trust in the gifts of forgiveness and His presence? Here is a starting point to becoming a faith-filled child of God through Jesus our Lord:
1.Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2.Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3.Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. (faith)
4.Through prayer, thank Jesus for his gracioius acts of life, death and resurrections for you. Welcome him into your life, live in the power of his forgiveness and love and grow to serve him faithfully. (discipleship)
IThe Bible says...
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life? Where is He right now? What has He given you?
"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
Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. This is called regeneration, or the "new birth."
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should:
1. Read your Bible everyday to know Christ better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
3. Tell others about Christ.
4. Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
5. As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.
It's important that you share your decision with a body of believers that teach the word of God. Join the family of God through His gift of Baptism and walk in faith with others. We at Lord of Life would be privileged if you will consider us as your family and join our fellowship of believers.
