The Gospel of Christ is, at its heart, the story of God and our
relationship with Him over time. Some of the important features of
this story, the purpose and meaning that it arises from, have been
explained in a four-part introduction below called "Steps to Peace
with God." The final step is for those of you who feel compelled to
respond to Christ's invitation to follow Him.
Step 1: 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 (NIV)
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 (NIV)
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have
it more abundantly. --John 10:10 (NIV)
Why don't most people have this peace and abundant life that God
planned for us to have?
Step 2: 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 (NIV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. --Romans 6:23 (NIV)
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 (NIV)
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 (NIV)
Step 3: God's Bridge: The Cross
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid
the penalty for our sin and 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 (NIV)
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the
unrighteous, to bring you to God. --1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we
were still sinners, Christ died for us. --Romans 5:8 (NIV)
God has provided the only way. Each person must make a
choice.
Step 4: Our Response: Receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by
personal invitation.
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 (NIV)
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
(NIV)
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 (NIV)
Where are you?
Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?
Here is how you can receive Christ:
- Admit your need (I am a sinner).
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose
from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your
life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and
Savior.)
If you would like to pray right now and receive Jesus Christ,
below is a suggestion of how to pray. But don't feel as though you
have to use those exact words - talking to God is just like talking
to a friend.
How to Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner
and I ask Your forgiveness. I believe that You died
for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come
into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and
Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God's Assurance: His Word
If you prayed this prayer,
The Bible says
... Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved. --Romans 10:13 (NIV)
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 (NIV)
Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the
supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who dwells in 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:
- Read your Bible every day to know Christ better.
- Talk to God in prayer every day.
- Tell others about Christ.
- Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a
church where Christ is preached.
- As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your
new life by your love and concern for others.
You have taken an important step of faith and we would love to
be able to help you continue to grow. We have materials we would
like to send you. Simply call 1.800.293.3717 or email us.