|
The most
important question of life...
ARE YOU RIGHT WITH GOD?
Do you struggle with persistent feelings of guilt, anxiety,
pain, sorrow, depression, fear, hopelessness or emptiness?
Each of these feelings is an indicator that a person is not
right with God. Jesus Christ promised that everyone who
believes in him would be filled with peace and joy, plus the
gift of eternal life. If you are concerned that you do not
have a genuine relationship with God, please read on to find
out how you can personally experience the love of Jesus
Christ for yourself.
SIX STEPS TO PEACE, JOY AND ETERNAL LIFE
STEP 1:
The first thing you must do is be completely honest with
both yourself and God. You must be willing to admit that you
have done wrong and that God will judge you for your sins.
The Bible says that "all have sinned" and certainly that
includes you. (Romans 3:23). Some examples of sin are lying,
stealing, cheating, hating, taking drugs, having sex outside
of marriage and so on. Though each of these activities is
wrong, the real sin lying at the heart of them all is not
being right with God. The Bible says that every human being
will have to stand before Jesus Christ and give an account.
Those who have refused to follow Jesus will be cast alive
into the lake of fire which burns forever and ever
(Revelation 20: 10-15).
STEP 2:
The next thing you must do is accept that Jesus Christ loved
you and died for your sins so that you wouldn't have to go
to the lake of fire. The Bible says that "while we were
still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus
understands our human weaknesses and has made a way for us
to escape the judgement to come. He is willing to give each
of us a second chance to live for him by forgiving our sins
and filling us with his own Spirit.
STEP 3:
The third thing you must do is repent. This means that you
must be sorry for your sins and must make a firm decision
within your heart to believe in Jesus, to live by his Word,
and to do the best you can to keep yourself from further
sin. The Bible says that God "now commands all men
everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). Repentance is not
optional. It is impossible to be forgiven and receive
eternal life unless you are willing to turn away from your
sins. If you are ready to live apart from sin, then Jesus is
ready to help you.
STEP 4:
The next thing you must do is be baptized in water in the
name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). This is the first act of
faith every person must submit to in order to show their
desire to be obedient to God. Jesus will respond to this act
of faith by forgiving every sin you have ever committed.
Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved"
(Mark 16:16). If you believe that Jesus died for your sins
and have made up you mind that you want to live God's way,
then you ought to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ as
soon as possible.
STEP 5:
Peter said that those who repent and are baptized "shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). The Holy
Ghost is the power and presence of Jesus Christ coming to
live right inside of you to help you live right and to fill
you with life everlasting. The Bible says, "He who raised
Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal
bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11).
What a wonderful promise! Just as Jesus was raised from the
dead and is now alive for evermore, so will it be for you
once you have been filled with the Holy Ghost.
STEP 6:
The last thing you must do to be right with God is begin
attending a local church that teaches the truths of the
Bible. You must also begin reading the Bible for yourself
and spending time each day seeking the Lord to guide you
into his perfect will. Salvation is not a one time
occurrence; it is a way of life. It begins when you repent
of your sins, believe in Christ, get baptized in water, and
receive the Holy Spirit. But if you are to remain right with
God after your baptism, you must learn to live your life his
way.
"Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me,
for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you shall find rest
for your souls." Matthew 11: 28-29
If you are ready to say goodbye to guilt, anxiety and
emptiness, then make up your mind right now that you are
going to place yourself in the hands of the only true
Savior, Jesus Christ. Come to him repenting and believing,
and be baptized in his glorious name for the forgiveness of
every sin, and he will fill you with his wonderful Holy
Spirit.
If you would like someone to help you learn more about the
Bible, or if you would like to be baptized and get involved
in a Bible-believing church , please visit the United
Pentecostal Church's website to find a church in your area.
|
