The entire bible is God’s invitation for us to know Him because He wants us to experience a genuine relationship with Him. Jesus said, abide in Me because apart from Me, you can do nothing.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” ~ John 15:5
Life without God is a life without purpose because God created all humanity for His glory and His purpose.
No matter who you are or what you have done or whatever circumstances you find yourself, GOD LOVES YOU. And He invites you to come as you are, no matter what you have done. He wants to have a relationship with you that will change your life forever.
It begins with accepting His invitation to come into your heart and life because He gives you the free will to choose Him. God doesn’t force His Will on us, He gives us the opportunity to choose LIFE when we accept His invitation or DEATH when we don’t.
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” ~ Deuteronomy 30:19
ACCEPTING GOD’S INVITATION TO KNOW HIM
I hope that you want to have a relationship with God just as much as He wants a relationship with you.
God gives you a choice and I pray that you choose LIFE with Him. And here’s how you can begin the process to accept God’s invitation to you.
- God’s Plan–Life
God loves you and wants you to experience the fullness of life with Him.
The BIBLE says: “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” (John 3:16).
- Our Problem—Separation
Sin separates us from God because God is holy, and He cannot allow sin in His presence.
The BIBLE says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
- God’s Remedy—The Cross
God’s love bridges the gap of separation between God and you. When Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave, He paid the penalty for your sins.
The BIBLE says: “He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross” (1 Peter 2:24).
- Our Response—Receive Jesus Christ
You cross the bridge into God’s family when you receive Jesus Christ by personal invitation.
The BIBLE says: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).
To receive Jesus Christ and begin your relationship with Him, you need to do five things:
- ADMIT your spiritual need and that you’re a sinner in need of a Savior “I am a sinner.”
- REPENT and be willing to turn from your sin.
- BELIEVE that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose again.
- RECEIVE, through prayer, Jesus Christ into your heart and life.
- COMMIT to live the rest of your life for Him.
CHRIST says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in” (Revelation 3:20).
The BIBLE says, “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved”. (Romans 10:13).
PRAYER OF SALVATION
There are no magical words to pray—it’s more about the condition of your heart.
Here’s a simple acronym to help you remember with ABC:
Admit that you’re a sinner in need of a Savior
Believe that Jesus died for you and rose again
Commit to live the rest of your life for Him
LET’S PRAY
“Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. Please forgive me of all my sins. Make me brand new. I believe Jesus died for me and rose again so I could live for You. I desire to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. Fill me with your Spirit so I am able to know You, serve You, and follow You the rest of my life, as my Lord and Savior. My life is not my own—today I give it to You.
Thank You for new life!
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
NEXT STEPS
- Read the Bible daily.
It is God’s letter to you. He will speak to you through His Word. If you have never read the Bible, consider starting with the book of John in the Bible.
- Talk with God.
He wants to hear from you. He wants you to tell Him your hopes, desires, fears and needs. He wants you to invite him into every day.
- Fellowship.
Find a good Church. First, ask the Lord to guide you. Begin to meet with other Christians regularly. Join a Church that believes in salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone and teaches the Bible as the inspired Word of God with the final authority and source of truth, morality and proper conduct.
- Being free from the penalty of your sin does not mean that you will never sin again.
It does mean, however, that you are no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6). Now, by the power of God in you through the Holy Spirit, you are able to say no to sin and yes to God’s ways. God will not allow you to be tempted to sin beyond what you can handle and He will provide a way of escape when you are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13). When you do sin, here are steps to take to get back on God’s path:
- Confess your sin to God (1 John 1:9)
- Confess your sin to other Christians (1 John 1:7, James 5:16)
- Repent (turn) from your sin and turn back to Christ (2 Timothy 2:22)
- Walk with God daily, don’t run or hide from Him. Remember, God loves you! Because of Christ, you will never lose your salvation (Galatians 5:16, John 10:27-29). Go back to steps 1, 2 and 3 above to reconnect with Him.
- Tell others about Jesus.
The invitation from God to be forgiven and adopted as a child of God is open to everyone in the world. God wants no one to die separated from Him because of sin. People who do not receive Christ as Savior will not be saved from the penalty of their sins. (Matthew 28:18-20)
