|
|
|
I'm so glad you came to this section of the CD! Perhaps it was mere curiosity that
brought you here or even a genuine desire to really know the God who both made
and loves you. Also, please consider the words I have written. I am only a
delivery boy, this is God's wonderful message of the gospel you are considering.
I hope these next few moments looking at these truths will change your life for
time and eternity.
Greg Laurie
-
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 3:23states,
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
-
What is the result of sin? In
Romans
6:23we 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.
-
Since we can never measure up to God's
standards on our own, God has reached out to humankind. We cannot solve the
problem of sin, but God, who is perfect, can and has. He has become a bridge
for us.
John 3:16-17states, "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 5:8we read, "God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us."
-
If a person acknowledges that he or she is a
sinner, repents from his or her sins, and accepts the promise that Christ is
the solution, that person is at a crossroads. Either the person must reject
God's solution and accept the consequences, or that person must accept Jesus
Christ as their Savior. What must a person do to accept this gift? Simply
receive it!
Matthew 11:28-30states,
"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."
-
His invitation is clear. We must come to Him.
All that remains is a response. In
Romans 6:23we 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
3:20states, "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 1:12states, "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).
Your decision to receive Christ also means that you
are now going to Heaven one day. That's a lot to be thankful for! You need to
take some practical steps to grow strong spiritually: read the Bible, pray, and
go to church.
|
|
|
|
|