This is John, a friend from Ireland. He has something to tell you…
You’re on a quest. You wonder if life has meaning and purpose beyond mere existence. Maybe you’ve even wondered if you’re the only one who feels this way.
You aren’t. Deep down inside, we’re all searching.
No matter who you are or what your life’s been like, God loves you and designed you to know Him personally. Someone once said, “[God,] you formed us for Yourself and our hearts are restless till they find rest in You.” God offers you this marvelous relationship with Himself—and He made it possible through His Son, Jesus. He calls it ‘salvation’.
How can I have this relationship with God?
- Realize that you’re a ‘sinner’
Sin is when we break God’s commands and disobey Him. No matter how hard we try to live a good life, we all fall miserably short of being a truly good person. That’s because we’re all sinners—imperfect and disobedient—and it separates us from God. The Bible says, “No one is good—not even one” (Romans 3:10). We can’t become who God wants us to be—His children and friends—without Jesus Christ. - Recognize that Jesus died in your place for your ‘sins’
Since sin is ‘bad’ it must be justly punished. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But the Bible also tells us, “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us [even] while were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). This is tremendous news—God loved us so much He sent His only Son to be punished in our place by dying the death we deserved to die because e sinned. Amazing. - ‘Repent’ from your sins
The word repent means to change direction in life. The Bible says, “Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19). Instead of running from God, we abandon our sins and run toward Him. - ‘Receive’ Jesus and follow Him
Following Jesus isn’t just believing a creed or going to church, it’s letting Him own your life and live in and through you. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door [of your life] and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in…” (Revelation 3:20).
If you want this relationship with God, tell Him in your own words. You can pray something like this (just mean it from your heart):
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. I believe You died for me to save me from hell and bring me to Heaven and to You. Right now, I turn from my sins—I give my life to You. I want to follow you now—I want You to be my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, Jesus Christ now lives in you! Your decision to follow Him means that God has forgiven all your sins, you now have a real relationship with Him and that you’ll spend eternity in heaven (and not…someplace else). This is called salvation, and it’s the best news of all.
Tell us about your decision to follow Jesus and we’ll send you a free Bible and a few extras to help you get know God better and grow in your new relationship with Him. You can contact us here.
Now what?
Here are some important first steps:
- Read the Bible. Start by reading Matthew or John (check the table contents)
- Talk to God (pray—He’s listening!)
- Go to church—you need God’s people and they need you
- Tell others what Jesus did for you—they need Him, too.
Blessings!