Step 1 - God’s Love and His Plan
God created us in His own image to be His friend and to experience a full life assured of His love, abundant and eternal.
Jesus said, “...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10b)
“...we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
Since God planned for us to have peace and abundant life right now, why are most people not having this experience?
Step 2 - Our Problem: Separation from God
God created us in His own image to have abundant (meaningful) life. He did not make us robots to automatically love and obey Him, but He 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.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)
On our own, there’s no way we can attain the perfection needed to bridge the gap to God. Through the ages, individuals have tried many ways...without success.
Good works won’t do it...or religion...or money...or morality...or philosophy...
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
According to scripture, our situation is hopeless - there is nothing that we can DO that can make our sins right - we are hopelessly and without God -
Step 3 - God’s Remedy: The Cross
Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin and bridging the gap between God and people.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, ...” (I Peter 3:18)
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (I Timothy 2:5)
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Step 4 - Our Response: Accept or Refuse
Believing means trust and commitment - acknowledging our sinfulness, being willing to turn away from sin and to God (Repentance), trusting Christ’s forgiveness and letting Him control our life. Eternal, abundant life is a gift for us to receive.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..." (Acts 3:19)
How to 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 of your life).
What to pray? Remember, it's not the words you pray, but your heart that God is looking at. You can pray something like this...
Dear Lord,
I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died and shed your precious blood for my sins. I am willing to turn from my sin. I ask You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior of my life.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
How to be Saved and Know it:
