How you answer that question is a matter of life and death.
Many people know of Jesus. Some have grown up hearing about Him from sitting in a pew at church, some have attended church a couple of times to hear His story and sing songs about Him for Christmas and Easter, yet some of these people walk away knowing very little to nothing of just who Jesus is and what He came to do.
Jesus didn’t come to earth for us to just know of Him, He wants us to truly KNOW HIM. He desires to have a deep personal relationship with each and every person that walks the planet.
So how do you KNOW JESUS, you might ask. Well here is what the Bible, which is the very Word of God, tells us…
1) Understand that God wants to give you LIFE.
In the very beginning of time God fashioned the very first human from the dust on the ground and gave him LIFE. Sin quickly entered the scene when Adam and Eve chose to rebel against the commands of God, and the relationship and the life God had given them changed forever. God made it very clear that the cost of disobedience was death. The death they experienced in that very moment wasn’t a physical one (though that was to come), but rather a spiritual death. Their decision also meant a separation of the direct and personal relationship they had with God in the Garden of Eve. (Read Genesis 2&3) All of humanity following the first people to walk the earth took up the sin nature of their ancestors. That is the very reason the Son of God, Jesus, came to this earth, to give us LIFE and redeem and restore the damage that sin has done in the life of every single person. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
2) Recognize and admit that you are a sinner.
Before receiving the life Jesus wants to give you, you must admit that you are a sinner, separated from God, in need of a Savior. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Sometimes this can be hard to admit. Remember that Romans 3:23 says “all fall short” you are not alone, everyone has a past before they have a future.
3) Realize you cannot save yourself.
Because God is holy, He cannot allow sin to enter into Heaven. There is no amount of good behavior, self control, or any other sacrifice we can make to earn salvation. Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 We must believe that because Jesus loves us, He died and rose again, so that we would be forgiven and receive eternal life.
4) Receive the grace of God.
The good news of the gospel is that in spite of our sin and tendency to want to live in the desires of our flesh, Christ came and died for us. ALL of us. There is no one too far gone for the love of Jesus. His perfect grace covers every sin and every hurt. We just have to be willing to accept the precious gift of life. “For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not of works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 “Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24
5) Respond to God’s gift by faith.
“If you declare 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
PRAY:
Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God, that you died and were resurrected on the third day. I believe You are the only way to eternal life. I understand that there is nothing that I can do to save myself. I want to surrender my life and allow Your Spirit to lead me, I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I am broken and afraid. Please speak to my heart now. Please help me to believe the truth that You placed inside of me. Thank You for loving me all of my life, even when I couldn’t recognize it. Please help me to see that my whole life has been about finding You; Jesus I never want to be without You again. Please dwell within me and help me to seek only You. Show me who You are and who You say I am. In Your precious name, thank you Jesus. Amen.
6) Rest Assured
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 1:13
You have been sealed by the Spirit of God and there is nothing that you or anyone else can do to make you lose the gift of Salvation that you have just received.
What Now?
Share the News: You will need support and encouragement as you begin your new life! This is the most exciting, most important decision you will ever make. Seek help from a trusted Pastor or Christian in your life so they can help you grow. Ephesians 4:11,12
Be Baptized: This is the next step in your walk with Jesus. While Baptism isn’t tied to salvation, professing your faith in Christ publicly should be your first step of obedience. Acts 10:48
Join the Church: Find a church family that will encourage you to live out God’s Word, teaching you to study, pray and foster your new found faith. If you don’t have a church home we’d love to invite you to ours: click the link below to learn more about Faith Baptist! Psalm 133:1
Faith Baptist Church Artesia, NM
Pray and Study God’s Word Daily: The Word is the most common and errant way to hear from God. If you aren’t reading God’s Word and praying how will you know Him personally and intimately? Psalm 119:105
Get Involved: Join a small group of believers in Bible study and prayer. We weren’t meant to go it alone! We must engage with other believers and share our gifts with others to glorify God. We can learn so much from one another. Titus 2:3
Did you choose to accept Jesus as your Savior today or maybe you have more questions? Contact us by clicking the link below and filling out the form so we can get in touch with you personally!