If you've read this far, you may be searching for something, even though you may not know what. Man is the only creation of God that is made in God's own image, and the need for God exists in all of us. Many people try all kinds of things to fill that void in their life that only the Almighty God can fill. Nothing else can ever satisfy the need we have for a relationship with the Lord.
It's not about a religion, my friend; it's about a relationship. There's a tremendous difference. This page will tell you how you can have a real and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and how you can be SURE that you will go to heaven when you die.
It's important to realize that God WANTS you to be saved! He is not willing that any should perish. (see II Peter 3:9) That's why He sent Jesus in the first place! (I John 4:9) But He gives us freedom to choose whether to accept this gift or not. (Joshua 24:15)
You might be asking right now, "Okay, so how do I have a real and personal relationship with Jesus? What do I need to do? How will I know I'm saved?"
First, you have to understand that you are a sinner, that sin demands punishment, and that Jesus Christ took that punishment for you. That's a lot to think about, I know, so just take it one step at a time.
- JESUS PAID FOR OUR SINS
God took all of our sins, past, present and future, and laid them all on His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price for our sins, so that we wouldn't have to.
- The Lord has laid on him {Jesus} the iniquity of us all. (Isa.53:6)
- In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:14)
- For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (II Cor. 5:21)
When we realize that we are sinners, and that Jesus paid for our sins with His death, we have to repent and confess to receive forgiveness.
- REPENT
- From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 4:17)
- "I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3)
- CONFESS
- He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.(Pro. 28:13)
- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)
When we repent and confess, we must have faith that what the Bible says is true, that through Jesus Christ we are forgiven, and are given the gift of eternal life. Ninety times in the gospel of John we are told to "Believe".
- BELIEVE
- For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believes in Him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
- For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Rom. 10:10)
Dr. Curtis Hutson tells of a woman who said, "I can understand how He died for my past sins, but I cannot understand how He died for my future sins that I have not committed yet." He replied, "Lady, when Jesus Christ died, all your sins were future. You were not even born."
Some people seem to have the idea that when they die, God will weigh up all the good they've ever done, and all the bad, and if the good outweighs the bad, God will let them into heaven. Friend, that is not what the Bible says! God's own word says that he who does not BELIEVE is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God! (John 3:18)
Condemned already--- that means unbelievers have already been tried and convicted, and condemned. That's a scary thought, isn't it?
You see, our salvation does not depend on what we do, it depends on what Jesus did, that day on Calvary. All our good works, all our religion, all our rituals, or services, all the good things we'll ever do in our lifetime are not enough to get us to heaven. In fact, the Bible says our righteousness is like filthy rags in God's eyes. (see Isa.64:6)
If you believe that Jesus died for your sins, and have truly repented, confessed, and asked Jesus to save you and become the Lord of your life, you are assured by God's own Holy Word that you have received the gift of eternal life.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he that hears my word, and believes on Him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
Friend, if you want to invite Jesus into your own life right now, pray this simple little prayer.
Dear Lord , I know that I am a sinner, and deserve death for my sins. I believe you paid the price for my sin when you died on the cross. I ask you to come into my heart to be my Savior, and the Lord of my life from now on. Thank you dear Lord, for the gift of eternal life that you have given me. Help me now to live my life for you. Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer, talk to a Christian friend or your pastor, and tell them of the decision you've made. They can help you as you grow in the Lord. And please, send me an email, so that I may rejoice with you!