Do you struggle with feelings of guilt, anxiety, pain, sorrow, depression, fear,
hopelessness or emptiness? Each of these feelings is an indicator that a person is not
right with God. Jesus Christ promised that everyone who believes in him would be filled with
peace and joy, plus the gift of eternal life. If you are concerned that you do not have a
genuine relationship with God, please read on to find out how you can personally experience
the love of Jesus Christ for yourself.
SIX STEPS TO PEACE, JOY AND ETERNAL LIFE
- STEP 1:
- The first thing you must do is be completely honest with both yourself and
God. You must be willing to admit that you have done wrong and that God will judge you for
your sins. The Bible says that "all have sinned" and certainly that includes you. (Romans
3:23). Some examples of sin are lying, stealing, cheating, hating, taking drugs, having sex
outside of marriage and so on. Though each of these activities is wrong, the real sin lying
at the heart of them all is not being right with God. The Bible says that every human being
will have to stand before Jesus Christ and give an account. Those who have refused to follow
Jesus will be cast alive into the lake of fire which burns forever and ever (Revelation 20:
10-15).
- STEP 2:
- The next thing you must do is accept that Jesus Christ loved you and
died for your sins so that you wouldn't have to go to the lake of fire. The Bible says that
"while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus understands
our human weaknesses and has made a way for us to escape the judgement to come. He is willing
to give each of us a second chance to live for him by forgiving our sins and filling us with
his own Spirit.
- STEP 3:
- The third thing you must do is repent. This means that you must be
sorry for your sins and must make a firm decision within your heart to believe in Jesus, to
live by his Word, and to do the best you can to keep yourself from further sin. The Bible says
that God "now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). Repentance is
not optional. It is impossible to be forgiven and receive eternal life unless you are willing
to turn away from your sins. If you are ready to live apart from sin, then Jesus is ready to
help you.
- STEP 4:
- The next thing you must do is be baptized in water in the name of Jesus
Christ (Acts 2:38). This is the first act of faith every person must submit to in
order to show their desire to be obedient to God. Jesus will respond to this act of faith by
forgiving every sin you have ever committed. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized
will be saved" (Mark 16:16). If you believe that Jesus died for your sins and have
made up you mind that you want to live God's way, then you ought to be baptized in the name
of Jesus Christ as soon as possible.
- STEP 5:
- Peter said that those who repent and are baptized "shall receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit is the power and presence
of Jesus Christ coming to live right inside of you to help you live right and to fill you with
life everlasting. The Bible says, "He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life
to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11). What a
wonderful promise! Just as Jesus was raised from the dead and is now alive for evermore, so
will it be for you once you have been filled with his Holy Spirit.
- STEP 6:
- The last thing you must do to be right with God is begin attending a
local church that teaches the truths of the Bible. You must also begin reading the Bible for
yourself and spending time each day seeking the Lord to guide you into his perfect will.
Salvation is not a one time occurrence; it is a way of life. It begins when you repent of
your sins, believe in Christ, get baptized in water, and receive the Holy Spirit. But if you
are to remain right with God after your baptism, you must learn to live your life his way.
Once you have followed these six steps and have entered into your own personal relationship
with God, you may still face many difficult and painful situations in your life. But with Jesus
Christ, no matter how difficult life may become, you will always have plenty of peace, joy and
hope on the inside...
"Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you shall find
rest for your souls." Matthew 11: 28-29
If you are ready to say goodbye to guilt, anxiety and emptiness, then make up your mind
right now that you are going to place yourself in the hands of the only true Savior, Jesus
Christ. Come to him repenting and believing, and be baptized in his glorious name for the
forgiveness of every sin, and he will fill you with his wonderful Holy Spirit.
