Step 1 - Recognize that God Loves You & He Has a Plan for You.

The Bible tells us that 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 (you & I) 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 2 - Recognize that You Have a Problem: 
                                                                        Separation From God

The Bible reveals to us that 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.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

"...your iniquities have separated you from 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 3 - Recognize 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..."
 (I Peter 3:18)

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ."
 (I 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)

Step 4 - Recognize that You Have a Response

Believing means trust and commitment - acknowledging our sinfulness, trusting Christ's forgiveness and letting Him lead our life. Eternal, abundant life is a gift for us to receive.

"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)

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; but passes over from death to life." (John 5:24)

Is there any reason why you shouldn't cross over to God's side and be certain of eternal life?

        
        My friend, I desire for you to know that God has great plans of a future and peace for you. But in order for you to be part of His plans for your life, just like me, you have to align yourself to God’s way. His way is through His only Son Jesus Christ. 
        
        Would you consider the following questions? 

        Do you realize that you are a sinner, a person who has broken God’s perfect standards? Are you willing to turn (or to repent) from your sins? 

        If you are --then believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave for you. Through a simple prayer, invite Jesus to come in and lead your life through His Holy Spirit. Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord of your life. I cannot tell you the exact words for you to say to God. Prayer is personal, like talking with a friend. But you could say something like:

            Dear Lord Jesus,

           I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as the Lord and Savior of my life.

          In Your Name I pray. 
    
          Amen.

Here is some additional good news.  If we put our trust in Jesus, God gives us assurance of eternal life.  If you have repented of your sins and invited Christ to be your Savior and Lord, then the Bible says that you can be sure you have eternal life.

"...for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)

"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)

"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 in 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 I encourage you to:

                1. Spend time with God daily by maintaining a regular intake of the Holy Bible in order to 
                    know Christ better. 
                    ( A good illustration about being in the Bible can be found at www.Navigators.org )

                2. Spend time with God daily by talking to God in prayer all the time. 
                    ( A good illustration about prayer can be found at www.Navigators.org )

                3. Tell others about your new faith in Christ.

                4. Worship, fellowship and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is 
                    preached, and hang out with other Christians who love and want to know Jesus more 
                    and more.

                5. You are now a representative of Christ in a needy world. Demonstrate your new life by 
                    your love and concern for others.