Download a PDF of this page for study here:
|
| ||
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. (Joh 3:16)
FINDING PEACE
At some point in our life's journey, we come to realize how inadequate we are to deal with all that life throws our way. At some point we realize the things we fought so hard to attain or to achieve simply did not satisfy our desires or meet our expectations.
At some point we realize we cannot fill the lingering void in our heart on our own. While the pursuits of pleasure, relationships, money, power, and other things may satisfy us for a short time, we ultimately find that the empty longing inside us always returns. It is at this point we discover the strength to fill this void can only come from the One who placed it there. We discover the love and the power of our risen Lord and Savior. We discover Jesus.
Jesus said in John 3:3 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD. "
At some point we realize we cannot fill the lingering void in our heart on our own. While the pursuits of pleasure, relationships, money, power, and other things may satisfy us for a short time, we ultimately find that the empty longing inside us always returns. It is at this point we discover the strength to fill this void can only come from the One who placed it there. We discover the love and the power of our risen Lord and Savior. We discover Jesus.
Jesus said in John 3:3 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD. "
THE PROBLEM
GOD created us to have a relationship with Him and to experience true, lasting peace in this life. That "missing peace" inside every man, woman and child is caused by our separation from God which is a direct result of our sin. Here's what the Bible says in Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear."
Romans 3:23 says it like this "For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of GOD;"
For the wages of sin is death; .... (Romans 6:23a)
Romans 3:23 says it like this "For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of GOD;"
For the wages of sin is death; .... (Romans 6:23a)
OUR ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM
People have tried many ways to restore this lost relationship with GOD, but no amount of effort or good deeds on our part can ever pay for our sin.
"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. "(Eph. 2:8-9)
Regardless of which path we may choose to try and reach GOD, the fact is, there is only one way to find Him.
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)
Jesus answered, "Jesus saith unto him, I AM the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6)
"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. "(Eph. 2:8-9)
Regardless of which path we may choose to try and reach GOD, the fact is, there is only one way to find Him.
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)
Jesus answered, "Jesus saith unto him, I AM the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6)
GOD'S SOLUTION
Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sin and restore our lost relationship with GOD. Read what the Bible says in the following verses:
"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. For GOD sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of GOD. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "(John 3:16-19)
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to GOD," (1 Peter 3:18)
"But GOD commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8)
"...but the gift of GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
OUR RESPONSE
Just knowing all this intellectually is not enough. We must act upon it by trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, believing in Him by faith, and receiving His free gift of salvation. GOD wants you to respond to His call;
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on His name:" (John 1:12)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom 10:9-10)
"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. For GOD sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of GOD. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "(John 3:16-19)
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to GOD," (1 Peter 3:18)
"But GOD commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8)
"...but the gift of GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
OUR RESPONSE
Just knowing all this intellectually is not enough. We must act upon it by trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, believing in Him by faith, and receiving His free gift of salvation. GOD wants you to respond to His call;
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on His name:" (John 1:12)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom 10:9-10)
HOW TO FIND THAT MISSING PEACE
You can receive Jesus Christ right now, wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you've done. His free gift of salvation is your only hope to find that missing peace in your life. Here's all you need to do:
1. Admit your need; of forgiveness, of salvation, and His righteousness. ("I am a sinner and cannot save myself.")
2. Be willing to change your mind about sIn and its consequences and turn away from your sins and to GOD (I repent).
3. Believe that Jesus is GOD. He became a man and died for you and your sins on the cross and rose from the grave, that you might have Life. Life abundant here and now, and life eternal with Him.
4. Pray and invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
There are no exact words you have to pray. Simply put your faith in Jesus Christ and pray to GOD, the Father what you want Him to do for you.
1. Admit your need; of forgiveness, of salvation, and His righteousness. ("I am a sinner and cannot save myself.")
2. Be willing to change your mind about sIn and its consequences and turn away from your sins and to GOD (I repent).
3. Believe that Jesus is GOD. He became a man and died for you and your sins on the cross and rose from the grave, that you might have Life. Life abundant here and now, and life eternal with Him.
4. Pray and invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
There are no exact words you have to pray. Simply put your faith in Jesus Christ and pray to GOD, the Father what you want Him to do for you.
YOU CAN HAVE ASSURANCE
If you prayed and GOD has answered, you can know for sure that GOD heard you and has forgiven your sins.
The Bible says "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. " (Rom 10:13)
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of GOD hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of GOD; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of GOD." (1 John 5:12-13)
If you just prayed that prayer, you have just made life's most important decision! I would love to celebrate this wonderful moment with you so do please let us know.
The Bible says "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. " (Rom 10:13)
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of GOD hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of GOD; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of GOD." (1 John 5:12-13)
If you just prayed that prayer, you have just made life's most important decision! I would love to celebrate this wonderful moment with you so do please let us know.
WHAT NOW
Now that you have given Jesus your life and surrendered to Him in Faith, what do you do next?
First, you need to begin reading the Bible and praying regularly. It is through GOD's Word and prayer that we come to know GOD more and learn how to live as a believer.
Second, you need to find a good, Bible-believing Christ honoring church. Fellowship with other Christians is a critical part of your spiritual growth.
Also, you should be baptized. While baptism does not save us, (it is by faith alone that we are saved), baptism is an important step to outwardly show what has already happened to you on the inside.
Finally, remember to share the good news of salvation with others.
God bless you as you grow in the Lord!
First, you need to begin reading the Bible and praying regularly. It is through GOD's Word and prayer that we come to know GOD more and learn how to live as a believer.
Second, you need to find a good, Bible-believing Christ honoring church. Fellowship with other Christians is a critical part of your spiritual growth.
Also, you should be baptized. While baptism does not save us, (it is by faith alone that we are saved), baptism is an important step to outwardly show what has already happened to you on the inside.
Finally, remember to share the good news of salvation with others.
God bless you as you grow in the Lord!