Do You Know Him?

Have you heard the Good News (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ?If you have not, please keep reading. This is THE most important decision you will ever make.

God created human beings to be with Him, to fellowship with Him. Unfortunately, we as human beings have a natural tendency to try to do things our own way. Many times our own way is in conflict with the way God wants us to be. When we do things our own way and not God's way, it is called sin. The Bible says in Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Everyone on earth has sinned. This sin separates us from God. Romans 6:23 tells us that "the wages of sin is death". The price that has to be paid for sin is death. Everyone is accountable for his or her own sin. Ezekiel 18:20 puts it this way: "The soul who sins shall die".

Again, God never intended for us to be separated from Him. But we as human beings chose to sin. However, don't worry! God has a plan. His plan gives us life. This life comes through Jesus Christ. John 3:16-17 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved".

Because the wages of sin is death, and the soul who sins shall die, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die in your place. Jesus' death on the cross paid the price for your sin and mine. Because the cost has been paid, we no longer have to pay it ourselves. Isn't that great? But understand this: we must go to God to ask forgiveness for our sin.

When I quoted Romans 6:23 above, I only quoted the first half of the verse. The rest of the verse says, "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord". Even though we deserve death, God wants to give us life. He is holding a gift in His hands, and He is holding this gift out to you. This gift is Jesus Christ. Because Jesus came to Earth and died on the cross in your place, you no longer have to be separated from God when you die. Because Jesus rose from the grave and conquered the power of sin, He can wash away the sin that you have committed. You can't earn this gift; it's free! Have you ever paid money for something that is free? If you have, you paid too much. What do you have to do to receive this gift?

1. Recognize that you have sinned.
   Do you see a pattern in your life of rejecting God and all that He has done and wants to do in your life? You need to realize the fact that you can't do it on your own, and that God has a plan for your life.
2. Recognize that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came and paid the price of your sin for you.
   Hebrews 7:27 says, "for this He did once and for all when He offered up Himself". Jesus' death was what it took to pay for the sins of the world and our sins as individuals.
3. Recognize the need to change your direction.
   You have probably heard the word "repent" before. It may even seem like a negative thing to you. But in reality, all that the word "repent" means is to change direction 180 degrees, from your own way to God's way. Turn around and walk away from your sin. The Apostle Peter said in Acts 3:19, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord".
4. Recognize that you need to receive God's free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
   Jesus says in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me". Jesus is the only way to renew your relationship with God. God is reaching out to you through His son, Jesus Christ. He wants you to have new life through Christ.

Do you recognize these things in your life? Do you want to do something about it? 2 Corinthians 6:2 says "Behold, now is the appointed time; behold, now is the day of salvation". There really is no time like the present. The first step in doing something about it is to simply come to God in prayer. Admit to Him that you are a sinner, that you need Jesus to save you from your sins. Tell God that you want to turn away from the direction you have been going, and come to Jesus. There is no magic formula, simply talk to God. If you aren't sure what to say, here is a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sin. I thank you for dying on the cross for me. I turn from my sin and I turn to you by faith right now. Forgive me for all of it. Fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit. I want to be Your disciple. Help me to follow You from this time forward. Thank You for Your offer of forgiveness. I gladly accept it now. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

If you have just prayed that prayer, you are saved! You have not only been forgiven of your sins, but you have new life in Jesus. Go and tell someone about it! We would love to know about it here at Toutle Christian Fellowship. Please let us know. We will be happy to talk with you about the decision you have just made. If you live in the Toutle, WA area, we would like to come alongside you to help you start growing in your new faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you do not live in our area, we will help you find a good, healthy church to plug into that is close to you, a place where you can grow in Christ. Here is a list of Calvary Chapel churches across the country and internationally.