Step One
God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life–abundant and eternal.
The Bible says…
…we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10
1. Why don’t most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have?
Step Two
The Problem: Our Separation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God 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.
The Bible says…
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Our Attempts to Reach God
People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God…
The Bible says…
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. Proverbs 14:12
It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:2
No bridge reaches God…except one.
Step Three
God’s Bridge: The Cross
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.
The Bible says…
For,there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8
God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
Step Four
Our Response: Receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.
The Bible says…
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Where are you?
Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?
Here is how you can 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.)
How to Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.
If you prayed this prayer,
The Bible says…
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. Your next step – Baptism