How to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
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I had just about everything a young man would want…friends‚ good health‚ girls‚ free education‚ playing collegiate baseball‚ a vehicle‚ spending money‚ etc. Yet‚ in the midst of all this‚ something was missing in my life. I looked to these "things" to fill this emptiness and meet the deepest needs of my heart. Whether it lasted a night‚ a week‚ or a year‚ the temporary so-called satisfaction would fade‚ leaving me emptier than before. It was then‚ as a sophomore in college‚ that I was presented with the answer to what was missing in my life. Two men came to our dorms to share Jesus Christ. At first I thought they were crazy‚ as back then I thought "religion" was completely irrelevant to my life. One time though‚ I let them talk to me. They shared the good news of Jesus Christ with me. As they talked‚ something within me knew‚ in an intangible way‚ that what they were saying was the ultimate truth. I new that I needed to receive Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord if I wanted to have the emptiness taken away‚ the guilt removed‚ and fear of death and hell done away with. They left a little booklet with me that said the following:
- God loves us and has a plan for our life.
- Life here on earth and eternally in heaven.
- "I have come that they may have life‚ and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
- We are cut off from and outside of God's plan for our life.
- We have all sinned‚ which means we have thought‚ said‚ and done things less than perfect. Our sin separates us from God in this life‚ and if we die in this state of sin separation we are eternally separated and enter judgement and hell.
- "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
- Being connected to God.
- The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only way to have our sins forgiven‚ connecting us into a personal relationship with God‚ because Jesus Christ was God in human form…God with skin and hair.
- "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
- Receiving Jesus Christ
- Our personal choice to say yes or no. I said yes. I pray you will‚ too!
A few days went by. One night‚ I re-read the booklet those two men gave me. Then I deliberately chose to apply what the booklet said. I received Jesus Christ that night as my Savior and Lord! I was even under the influence of alcohol when I was born-again. Yet‚ it was real. I woke up the next day with a slight hangover‚ but I knew something was different. What a journey it has been since then!
Perhaps you at this very moment are sensing the same emptiness and fears I had back then. If so‚ would you like to find out who you really are and enter God's plan for your life? This can happen right now if you will‚ by faith‚ open your life to Jesus Christ. He will enter your heart‚ remove the weight of sin on your conscience‚ fill the emptiness and give you 100% confidence that you will go to heaven‚ not hell‚ when you do die. Here is what a person must do to know Jesus Christ in a personal relationship. But‚ you have to truly mean this‚ not just in your mind and emotions‚ but deep down in your will. If you really mean it‚ here is how you‚ too‚ can accept Jesus Christ:
- Repent: "Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out‚ that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" (Acts 3:19). To repent means we realize we have sinned‚ to then leave those sins and old life behind and turn control of our entire life to Jesus Christ.
- Receive: "Yet to all who received Him He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). To receive Jesus Christ means we by faith engage our will and through a prayer invite Christ into our heart. Like an unopened Christmas present‚ Jesus is useless to us until we open His package and apply Him into our life.
- Follow: "If anyone would come after me‚ he must deny himself‚ take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). Through the ups and downs of life we follow Jesus Christ. It will not always be easy. Following Christ means sacrifice‚ perhaps persecution. Are you willing to follow Him when things get hard? Before you accept Christ you must be willing or you shouldn't do it.
Are you willing by faith to repent‚ receive Jesus Christ and follow Him? If you sincerely are ready to know God‚ the following are some sample words you can say to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ:
"Lord‚ I have sinned against you. Please forgive me of my sins. I‚ by faith‚ repent and come to the cross and receive you‚ Jesus Christ‚ as my Savior and Lord‚ surrendering my entire life to you. Come into my heart and fill me with your Holy Spirit‚ empowering me to follow you daily through this life until heaven begins. In Jesus' name‚ Amen."
If you just prayed that prayer and you really meant it‚ Jesus Christ just
went into your heart. He lives in you now‚ forever! Congratulations! This
is just the beginning. We want to hear from you so please contact our office
by phone: 404-259-1226‚ or send us an email.
Now go to the “Next Steps for New Christians” link at the top of this page.
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