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 have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (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 Two 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. The Bible says...
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
"...your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so 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 that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)
Step Three - 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 died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." (1 Peter 3:18)
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." (1 Timothy 2:5)
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
Step Four - Our Response (Faith)
Faith is more than merely accepting certain facts. Faith is putting one's belief into action.
To have faith in Christ requires trust and obedience - acknowledging our sinfulness, trusting Christ's forgiveness, and letting Him control our life. The reward of faith is eternal life.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
Is there any reason why you shouldn't cross over to God's side and be certain of eternal life?
How to receive Christ (Faith Responses)
Faith is more than merely accepting certain facts. It involves surrendering every part of my life over to Christ:
Believe (Surrender your mind) - Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)
Repent (Surrender your will) - Admit your need for Jesus and be willing to turn from your sins.
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you - even Jesus." (Acts 3:19,20)
Confess (Surrender your allegiance ) - Invite Jesus to come in and control your life - Receive Him as Lord and Savior of your life.
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." (Matthew 10:32)
"If you confess with your mouth, ?Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9,10)
Baptism (Surrender your body) - Wash your sins away by taking part in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16)
"If we have been united with him in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection." (Romans 6:5)
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ." (Galatians 3:27)
New Life (Surrender your life) - Allow God to transform your life daily - attitudes, actions, relationships - and live with the assurance of eternal life.
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:12-13)
Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer...this is called regeneration or the "new birth."
What next?
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ.
To deepen this relationship you should:
1. Regularly read the Bible to know Christ better.
The "Word Hand" shows five important learning methods from the Bible.
HEARING (Romans 10:17)
Hearing the Word from godly pastors and teachers provides insight into others' study of the Bible and stimulates your own appetite for the Word.
READING (Revelation 1:3)
Reading the Bible gives an overall picture of God's Word. It helps to use a daily reading program that takes you systematically through the Bible.
STUDYING (Acts 17:11)
Studying the Scriptures leads to personal discoveries of God's truths. Writing down these discoveries helps you organize and remember them.
MEMORIZING (Psalm 119:9, 11)
Memorizing God's Word enables use of the Sword of the Spirit to overcome Satan and temptations...to have it readily available for witnessing or helping others with a "word in season."
MEDITATING (Psalm 1:2, 3)
Meditation is the thumb of the Word Hand, for it is used in conjunction with each of the other methods. Only as you meditate on God's Word--thinking of its meaning and application in your life--will you discover its transforming power at work within you.
Adapted from the Navigators' Word Hand Illustration
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
3. Tell others about your new faith in Christ.
You can use the Bridge to Life illustration, or another effective plan. The important thing is that you let others know about your faith.
4. Worship, fellowship and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
5. As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.
Adapted from the Navigators' Prayer Hand Illustration
