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Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe around
us, so are there spiritual laws which govern your relationship with God. Ask - Let Jesus know you want Him to take control of your life. ________________________________________ Law #1 - God LOVES you and He offers a wonderful PLAN for your life. God's Love "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) God's Plan Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (that it might be full and meaningful) (John 10:10) Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life? By now you may have discovered that not all roads lead to God, and life is not as simple as you once thought. For those who are at this crossroad, the Bible offers a new direction, one filled with purpose, fulfillment, and acceptance. The steps are simple.
________________________________________ Law #2 - Man is SINFUL and SEPARATED from God - therefore, man cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life. Recognize that you're a sinner. First, you must admit your spiritual need: "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). We are all in the same boat and the simple fact is that we can't make excuses or blame others for our circumstances or for our actions. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way and the 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. Man is Separated "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) The diagram below illustrates that God is holy and man is sinful. A great gulf separates the two. The arrows show that man is continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through his own efforts, such as living a good life, following specific philosophies or religions, etc.- but we are not capable of doing this on our own. We will always feel like there is something missing in our lives or maybe even feel like we are just coasting through life because we have no direction or purpose.
________________________________________ Law #3 - Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life. Jesus Died in Our Place "But 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... He was buried... He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures... He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred..." (I 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) The diagram below illustrates that God has bridged the gulf which separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins and unite us with God the Father.
It is not enough just to know these three laws.
________________________________________ Law #4 - Each of us must individually repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord - then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives. REPENT OF YOUR SINS The word "repent" means "to change your direction." The Bible tells us,
God commands us to repent. You must be willing to turn away from the things that displease God. ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28) It is essential that you come to Jesus as you are. Don't try to "clean up your life" before you come to God - Instead, receive Him and allow Him to do the "cleansing."
Jesus wants you to give Him your life and let Him clean you up. He can do a much better job than we can could ever do – besides, we cannot do a single thing that will help us receive salvation from God because… We Receive Christ (and therefore salvation) Through Faith There is nothing we can do to earn or demand eternal life. It is a GIFT from God. All we can do to receive it is to accept the gift from Him. "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, that no one should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) When we receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Do not be surprised when I say you must be born again. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (John 3:1-8) We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation Jesus said, "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 turning away from ourselves and toward God (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins (faith) and to make us the kind of righteous people in Him that He wants us to be.(grace) Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of will. The two diagrams below represent two kinds of lives, the self-directed life and the Christ-directed life:
Which
circle represents your life? |
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By
now you may have discovered that all roads do not lead to God, and life
is not as simple as you once thought. For those who are at this
crossroad, the Bible offers a new direction, one filled with purpose,
fulfillment, and acceptance. God made the path to salvation simple and
free - all you have to do is accept His gift.. The (4) steps are simple:
1.
Recognize that you're a sinner.
First,
you must admit your spiritual need: "There
is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10).
We can't make excuses or blame others for our circumstances or
actions. "For all have sinned and fall
short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
2.
Recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you.
"For
Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He
might bring us to God..." (I Peter 3:18).
Jesus paid the price for your sin. The Apostle Paul said, "...the
life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
3.
Repent of your sins.
The
word "repent" means "to change your direction." The
Bible tells us,
"Repent therefore and
be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of
refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts
3:19).
God commands us to repent. You must be willing to turn away from the
things that displease God.
4.
Accept Jesus as your Savior.
Jesus
said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
It is essential that you come to Jesus as you are. Don't try to
"clean up your life" before you come to God. Instead, receive
Him and allow Him to do the "cleansing." Jesus said,
"All
that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I
will by no means cast out" (John 6:37). |
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You Can Receive Christ Right Now by Faith Through Prayer
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