~ Knowing Jesus Christ ~
1. Admit your spiritual need.
We are all sinners....people don't always like that title. The one word
that defines all sin is the Greek word "harmatia" which means "to miss
the mark." What is God's mark? Jesus said, "Be perfect as My Father
in heaven is perfect." Unless a person is perfect, he has missed the
mark; therefore, he is a sinner. Romans 3:23 states "All have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God."
2. What is the result of sin?
In Romans 6:23 we read "The wages of sin is death..." Every one of us
has missed God's mark. Every one of us falls short of being perfect.
We are getting only what we deserve, and we are bringing judgment upon
ourselves. One thing we need to remember is that God never sends anyone
to hell. We send ourselves there by rejecting His truth.
3. Since we can never measure
up to God's standards on our own, God has reached out to man. We cannot
solve the problem of sin, but God, who is perfect, can and has. He has
become a bridge for us. John 3:16-17 states "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. For God did not send His Son to
condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.."
In Romans 5:8 we read, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in
that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
4. If a person acknowledges
that he is a sinner, and he accepts the promise that Christ is the solution,
he is at a crossroads. Either the person must reject God's solution
and accept the consequences, or he must accept Jesus Christ as his Savior.
What must a person do to accept this gift? Simply receive it! Matthew
11:28-30 states "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me...for
My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
5. His invitation is clear.
We must come to Him. All that remains is a response. In Romans 6:23
we read "...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
What do we have to do to receive that gift? Take it! Revelation 3:20
states "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he
with me." Jesus stands at the door of your heart and knocks, seeking
entrance into our lives. John 1:12 states "For as many as received Him,
to them He gave the right to become the children of God."
If you would like to receive
Jesus Christ into your heart and life right now, pray a prayer something
like this from the sincerity of your heart... Dear Lord Jesus, I know
I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins. Right now, I turn from
my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I receive you as my
personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer
and really meant it, Jesus Christ has now taken residence in your heart!
Not only that, but he has forgiven you of all your sin. The Bible tells
us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9) God also
promises, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed
our transgressions from us." (Psalms 103:12)
If you would like to share your new commitment
to Jesus Christ, send me an e-mail today!
