How to have a personal relationship with Jesus...

1. RECOGNIZE YOUR CONDITION.

In order to find the way to eternal life with God, I must first recognize that I was born in sin and separated from God spiritually. Romans 5:12 teaches us that since Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on earth, a sin nature has been present in all people. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Our indwelling sin causes us to act contrary to God’s laws and commandments, and this prohibits me from a relationship with God. Whenever we break the law, there is some type of penalty. I have been pulled over for speeding before and was penalized with a speeding ticket. Sin also has a penalty. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The “wage” or result of our sin, is spiritual death and eternal separation from God.

2. REGECT YOUR OWN EFFORTS

Religions try to create their own ways to God. Their systems may seem logical, but they cannot bridge the gap created by our sin. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” In other words, our thoughts and ways are not what create truth. God’s Word, the Bible, provides true answers of grace and forgiveness. In Ephesians 2:8–9 the Bible says, “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.”

3. RECEIVE THE TRUTH IN JESUS CHRIST

Even though we were lost and separated from God, He loved us, and because He is love, God sent His Son to die on the Cross and rise from the dead three days later. John 3:16 explains “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.” Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the payment for our sin. He took our place as our Substitute! Now, we do not have to try to pay for our sin ourselves. By His grace, salvation is offered us as a gift. In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, “But God commendeth [meaning proved or demonstrated] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

4. REPENT AND BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST.

In order to have a relationship with God and an eternal home in Heaven, we must abandon our own efforts to save ourselves and instead place our full trust by faith in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sin and eternal life. Repentance is not about turning over a new leaf or reforming our lifestyle; it's about abandoning an old identity and receiving a new one, and this affects our lifestyle! It's about seeing our sin as God sees it and choosing deliverance from it. Belief means more than just agreeing with some facts about Jesus. Rather, it is completely relying upon Jesus and Him alone to forgive your sins, satisfy the Father's justice, and declare you righteous before a holy God. In Roman 10:13 the Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That is a promise directly from God that if you will pray to Him, confessing your sin, and place your faith in Him alone to be your Savior, then He will remove your sin, make you spiritually alive again, and give you the free gift of eternal life! You can make that decision today by calling out to God in faith!

You'll never regret that decision! If you have just trusted Christ, we would love to know about your decision and give you a Bible and some other materials to help you learn more about that new relationship! Give us a call at (906) 632-7214 and let us know today!