"What is the most important decision of your life?" Getting married, accepting a new job, how to spend an unexpected windfall of money...all of these are important decisions you may have to make in your lifetime. However, the most important decision you can make is to decide that you desire a New Life in Jesus Christ!
WHY IS THIS DECISION SO IMPORTANT?
Well, God's Word, the Bible, says:
A. We are all sinners –
"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
B. There is a price for sin –
"The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23a)
C. Our sin has been paid for –
"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
D. Our Salvation is a free Gift from God –
"...but the gift of God is eternal life." (Romans 6:23b)
WHAT DOES A NEW LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST MEAN?
Because this is such an important matter, LET'S CLARIFY just what this involves. It means, first of all, that you TRANSFER YOUR TRUST from what you have been doing to what Christ has done for you on the cross. It means, next, that you RECEIVE THE RESURRECTED, LIVING CHRIST into your life as SAVIOR. He says,
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock (at the door of your life). If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20).
Further it means that you RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST INTO YOUR LIFE AS LORD. He comes as Master and King. There is a throne room in your heart and that throne is rightly His. He made you. He bought you, and He wants to take His rightful place on the throne of your life. It means that YOU are willing to turn from anything you have been doing that is not pleasing to Him and to follow Him as He reveals His will to you in His Word.
NOW IF THIS IS WHAT YOU REALLY WANT, FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS...
GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION
Knowing your sins are forgiven and you are ready for heaven is as easy as A-B-C:
A. Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 ).
B. Believe in Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ).
C. Confess and leave your sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
These things I have written to you ... that you may know that you have eternal life." (I John 5:13)
If you have followed these simple steps and you want heaven to be your home, pray this prayer:
"Lord, I know that I am a sinner and I need to be saved. I believe that Jesus died for my sin because of your love for me. I receive Him as Savior and Lord of my life right now. Save me in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Praise God and Welcome to His Family! From this point forth, you begin your new life in Christ. God does not remember your sins anymore and says, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more (Hebrews 10:7)
NOW WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?
Now that you are a part of God's family, like any other family member, there are some things you need to know to help you grow as a child of God:
1. Pray - You get to know a person by talking with them. Talk to Jesus. You can talk to Him any time of the day wherever you are. (Luke 18: 1)
2. Study your Bible - You will get to know about Jesus and what God says by studying your Bible. (II Timothy 2:15)
3. Become active in church - Another way to learn more about Jesus is to go to Sunday school and worship services on a regular basis. (Hebrews 10:25)
4. Share with others how you made this wonderful decision- Tell others what Jesus has done for you. You will want them to know Jesus as their Savior. (Matthew 28:18-20)
5. Always be assured of your salvation - You can do nothing to make God put you out of his family! (I John 5:13)
6. God is with you always - God is always with you where ever you go. (Hebrews 13:5)
7. Ask for Forgiveness - When you make a mistake (sin), agree with God that you made that mistake and ask Him to forgive you. (I John 1:9)
