The Problem:  Separation from God

God created us in His own image to have an abundant life.  He did not make us mechanical like robots to automatically love and obey Him.  God gave us a will and a freedom of choice.  We choose to disobey God and go our own willful way.  We make this choice yet today, a choice that results in seperation from God.

The Bible says:

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

"But your iniquities have separated you from God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."  Isaiah 59:2

People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God...

The Bible says:

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."  Proverbs 14:12

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 6:23

No bridge reaches God...except one.

God's Bridge: The Cross

Jesus died on the Cross and rose from the grave.  He paid the penalty for our sins and bridged the gap between God and people.

The Bible says:

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ."  1 Timothy 2:5

"For Christ died for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."  1 Peter 3:18

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this way:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

God has provided the only way.  We each must make a choice.

Our Response:  Receive Christ

We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.

The Bible says:

"Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."  Jesus, Revelation 3:20

"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."  John 1:12

"That 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."  Romans 10:9

Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?

Your most important decision

This is how you can receive Christ:

1.  Admit your need to God (I am a sinner).

2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent)

3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.

4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit.  (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

How to Pray:

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 Lord and Savior.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

What now?

Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life?  Where is He right now?  What has He given you?  If you prayed this prayer and asked God to save you, consider what God's Word says about you:

The Bible says:

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  Romans 10:13

"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."  John 1:12

"For it is by grace you have been saved, thorough faith...and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God...not by works, so that no one can boast."  Ephesians 2:8 - 9

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  2 Corinthians 5:17

"Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  Acts 2:38

Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer.  This is called re-birth.

This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ.  To deepen this relationship you should:

1.  Read your Bible everyday to know Christ better.

2.  Talk to God in prayer every day.

3.  Tell others about Christ.

4. Worship, fellowship with believers 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 actions, love and concern for others.