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Are you ready to make your move? Committing your life to the cause of Christ is a simple thing to do yet is, at the same time, the biggest decision of your life. It involves repentance. Biblical repentance is to do a complete about face, to go in the opposite direction from the way you've been going. To change your direction, your mind, your motives, your practice, and your will. It's a life-long process that begins the moment you make the commitment. The Bible calls this being "born again" (John 3:3). Its starting over, becoming a new person (2 Cor. 5:17). Being a Christian is much more than folding your hands and being good. It's a cause worth dying for. It's being willing to do battle for the Lord. It's taking the message of salvation into your home, your neighborhood. It's about committing your life to following a person who died for you, who gave up everything for you. It's taking a step from death to life, from darkness to light, from meaninglessness to meaning, from purposelessness to purpose, from unrighteousness to righteousness, from eternal separation from God to eternal life with God. It gives you a new standing with the God of creation. Are you ready? You can do this in your own way but, if you need some guidance, we have provided some below:
Recognize that you are separated from God because of sin.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear."
The penalty for sin is death (or eternal separation from God).
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death… Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned"
You can't save yourself or do anything, in yourself, to gain eternal life.
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ"
Eternal life is only attainable through Jesus Christ.
1 John 5:11-12 "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (Jesus), He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin.
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." John 3:16 "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."
Salvation comes by repenting from sin and placing your faith in Jesus as your Savior.
Acts 10:43 "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 13:39 "And by him all that believe are justified from all things" Mark 1:14-15 "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
If you'd like to pray to God on your own, now is the time to do it. If you need some guidance, we've provided a short prayer below. Keep in mind that you are not merely reciting words, but are speaking to the Creator of the universe. He is listening to you:
"God, I have sinned against you. I want to change my life and live it for you and for your purpose. I believe that Jesus died for me and paid the penalty for my sins. On that basis, I ask you to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness as you say in your Word (1 John 1:9). I am sorry for my sins and turn away from them to live for you. I have faith that your Word is true and that you have forgiven me as you promised. Thank you for saving me and give me guidance as I begin to walk in your ways."
There is no magic in the words of the above prayer. The power of the words comes only by your sincerity and your believing that God honors His Word. The enemy (Satan) will try to tell you that He did not hear you. You may think that nothing happened, especially if you didn't "feel" anything. However, God's Word is true whether or not you "feel" it is true. Just believe. Have faith in His promises. Trust in Him. Begin to live like you are forgiven because you are. Find a church to begin attending. Ask them to baptize you in water as a testimony of your new life in Christ. Begin to read the Bible and pray for guidance. Remember, God is not a liar. You, now, have eternal life. Act like it!
John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life…" John 5:24 "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 6:37 "...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Titus 1:2 "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began"
If you've joined the cause of Christ, please email us and let us know. If you provide us with your address, we'd like to send you a booklet that will help you begin your new walk.
And congratulations, you are now a part of the family of God!
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