We all "know" our president and our government officials. We all "know" the celebrities we see on TV. But we don't know them personally. We don't have a relationship with them. We just know about them. It's no different with Jesus Christ. Do you know Him intimately? Do you have a relationship with Him? Have you ever repented of (turned away from) your sin? Have you ever asked GOD for forgiveness and accepted the free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ? If not, you can today. You can - right now! Our Lord made it so beautifully simple!
1. Admit you are a sinner
Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23 says, "...The wages (payment) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
2. Believe Jesus is God
Romans 5:8 says, "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."
3. Confess your sins to Him
Romans 10:9 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
4. Ask His forgiveness
2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Ephesians 1:7 says, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."
5. Invite Him into your heart and life
Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
We are all sinners. God is so holy that even by breaking one of His laws makes us unholy and wretched and doomed for hell. But because He loves us, He sent His Son, Jesus, to die and be our sacrifice. Because He was perfect, He covered and paid our debt. So now, we have the opportunity to be saved from hell. Through His blood, we have an invitation to be forgiven, healed, and redeemed! Inviting Jesus Christ into your life is done through prayer. There are no magic words or phrases. We need only to pour out our heart to Him like we would talk to a friend...because that is what He desires - an intimate, personal relationship with you.
My Testimony
When I was five years of age, on a hot, humid night in northern Arkansas, my life was forever changed.
My family and I were conducting a tent revival for a week in August. I grew up in a family who sang about Jesus, preached about Jesus, talked about Jesus, read books about Jesus, watched movies about Jesus, and dedicated their lives telling others about Jesus, so it was bound to stick! I grew up knowing and telling Bible verses and Bible stories as early as a year and a half old. So by the age of five, I knew the sweet story of Jesus coming to this earth at Christmastime as a little baby, who grew up and never disobeyed his Mom or Dad (that was slightly shocking to my childlike brain), who did many miracles, and finally, for no reason, was put to death by his own people. I used to get angry when I thought of those mean soldiers nailing my Jesus to a cross. As the days and months went by, the gospel story burned in my heart. And as I learned more, I was amazed. Jesus died for me? He came and died because I didn't clean my room when Mom told me to? He had to die because I did something wrong? It pierced my heart. He died so I wouldn't have to? He died so I could go to Heaven? Little by little, this precious love story worked its way into my five year old heart.
So on this particular night, during the revival services, I knew the time had come to truly thank God for what He did for me; to apologize for all the times I sinned and hurt him; to pledge my life and heart to Him, to live for Him forever. Later that night, at the foot of a bed, with my Dad and my Mom, I asked Jesus to come into my heart and save me. And He did!
It amazes me how the God who spoke this world into existence can make His awesome story of salvation simple enough for a child to understand. I was a child. And I understood. From that day until today, I have wanted to please the Lord. I have wanted to obey His voice, to walk in His footsteps, and to spend my life at His feet. I pray that if you have never repented of your sin and asked Christ into your life, that you will do so today! Do not wait another moment. He is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins, to heal, to cleanse, and to save!
Matthew 11:28a
Come unto me...
Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
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