This is John, a friend from Ireland. John surfs. He has something to tell you…
You’re on a quest. You wonder…
‘Does life have meaning?’
‘Is there a purpose for me beyond just existing?’
‘Am I 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 made you to know Him personally.
A man 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 what His Son, Jesus, did. 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. It’s because we’re 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 made us to be—His family 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 great 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 we 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 spurn our sins and run toward Him. - ‘Receive’ Jesus and follow Him
Following Jesus is letting Him own your life—letting Him live in you 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).
God obviously wants you to have this relationship with Him. If you want it, too, tell Him in your own words. Pray something like this:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose from the dead, to save me from hell and bring me to Heaven to be with You. Right now, I turn from my sins and I give You my life. I will follow You from now on—I want You to be my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, Jesus now lives in you! Your decision to follow Him means that God has forgiven all your sins, you now have a genuine relationship with Him, and you’ll spend eternity in Heaven (and not someplace else). This is salvation. Welcome to God’s family!
Now—contact us about your decision to follow Jesus—we’ll send you a free Bible and a few extras to help you get to know God and grow in your new relationship with Him.
What’s next?
Take your first steps…
Read the Bible. Start with ‘Matthew’ or ‘John’ (check the table contents).
Pray—talk to God. 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!