how to become a christian
how to become a christian
Experiencing God's Grace
Are you experiencing God’s grace? The sections below are designed to tell you the most important message you could ever hear… the message of God’s Grace. This message comes to us through God’s Word, the Bible, and was made possible through God’s Son, Jesus.
Click on the sections below to learn more!
God is the beginning of Grace. In fact, he is the beginning of all things.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)
The vast expanse of the universe and everything in it is the work of God alone. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. All creation reflects his majestic power and glory.
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)
As Creator, God alone is worthy of the praise of his creation.
"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they existed and were created." (Revelation 4:11)
God, our Creator, is a God of holiness and love.
"HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the LORD GOD, the ALMIGHTY, who was and is and is to come." (Revelation 4:8)
Holiness is the attribute of God that makes him completely unique and separate from his creation. God is Majestic, Glorious, and Perfect in every way. The slightest sin or imperfection cannot dwell in his Holy presence.
The Bible says of God, "O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens." (Psalm 8:1)
God's love is as great as his holiness and might. God's love is demonstrated by his care for all creatures and his gracious disposition and compassion towards us.
The Bible speaks of "the goodness and loving kindness of God." (Titus 3:4)
"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet." (Psalm 8:3-6)
What makes us so special? We, unlike the rest of God's creation, were created in the image of God himself!
"God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)
Because God is our loving Creator and Ruler, we are responsible to love, worship, and obey him alone. Since he created us, he has the right to lay his claim on our lives.
Jesus said, "You shall worship the LORD your GOD, and him only shall you serve." (Matthew 4:10)
Jesus also said, "'You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and first commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)
Why, then, do we not reflect God's glory and obey him as we should?
Soon after God created Adam and Eve (the first man and woman), they willfully chose to rebel against God, and sin entered the human race. Every person thereafter has inherited that sinful nature and has continued to rebel against our creator. The result of sin is that we have failed to reflect God's glory. In order to dwell in his holy presence, God does not require that we merely do our best to live good lives; he requires us to reflect his perfection.
God said, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." (Leviticus 19:2b)
God does not judge us based upon how we compare to our fellow human beings, but on how we compare to him.
Clearly, all of us fall short of his perfect standard.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
We are all sinners both by nature (because we have inherited our sinful natures from Adam and Eve) and by choice (because we all willfully choose to disobey God).
"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." (Romans 5:12)
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)
Because God is perfect in Holiness, he cannot tolerate the presence of sin. Our sins have separated us from our Creator.
"Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you." (Isaiah 59:2)
Because sin separates us from God, it carries tragic consequences.
"The wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23)
One day, we will all stand before God to give an account for our deeds.
"And just as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)
Jesus warned, "when the Son of Man [Jesus] come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne." (Matthew 25:31)
God will separate the sinners from the righteous. The righteous will enter into eternal life in heaven to dwell with God. Sinners will be sent away from the presence of God into a place of eternal punishment called hell.
Jesus also warned, "These [sinners] will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:46)
The problem is, how can we sinners ever become righteous in God's sight?
Atonement means "to repair a broken relationship."
God, because of his great love for his creation, sent his Son Jesus into the world so that sinners may be reconciled to God.
Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Peace with God was made possible by everything Jesus did on behalf of sinners. This includes his life, death, and resurrection.
His Life. Jesus did for sinners what they could not do for themselves. He succeeded where we failed.
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)
Jesus is God.
"In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word [Jesus] was with God, and the Word [Jesus] was God." (John 1:1)
Jesus became a man.
"And the Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life.
The Bible says that Jesus is "one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)
The Bible says that Jesus "committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." (1 Peter 2:22)
His Death. God has provided atonement between himself and sinners through the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus died as the substitute for sinners; he died in our place.
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for s." (Romans 5:8)
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous that he might bring us to God..." (1 Peter 3:18)
At the cross, an amazing exchange took place: our sins were credited to Jesus; his righteousness is credited to those who follow him.
"For our sake he [God] made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him [Jesus] we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
His Resurrection. Jesus' death is not the end of the story. Three days later, he arose victoriously from the grace! Death has been defeated! Jesus' resurrection is proof that God has approved his ministry. Jesus alone is Savior and Lord!
"He [God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man [Jesus] whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:31)
By his life, Jesus attained righteousness on sinner's behalf. By his death, Jesus paid the penalty that sinners owed. By his resurrection, Jesus defeated death for all who will follow him.
The blessings of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection apply only to those who will follow him as Savior and Lord.
This response to follow Jesus is called conversion.
We must each receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord by a voluntary and intentional act of the will This act includes both repentance and faith. Repentance involves turning from sin to obey God. Faith is an active trust in Jesus' atoning life, death, and resurrection.
To receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, we must trust him alone for salvation.
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
And we must repent. To repent means to turn from our sins and turn to Jesus in love and obedience.
"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent." (Acts 17:30)
Jesus said, "unless you repent, you all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3)
Jesus also said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
God offers us salvation as a free gift (grace). God's grace comes to us through faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Our sin separates us from God. Our best efforts cannot overcome this barrier.
Jesus' life, death. and resurrection broke the sin barrier. Believers are united to God through him.
God's grace comes to those who receive Jesus by faith.
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12)
The Bible says, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved... for 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" (Romans 10:9, 13).
"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." (Romans 1:16)
For those who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, God gives the promise of eternal life.
Jesus promised, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24)
"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son does not have life." (1 John 5:12)
Jesus brings new life to all who place their faith in him.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 517)
Jesus said, "...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
This promise of abundant life does not mean that we will be free form troubles in this lifetime. In fact, the followers of Jesus can expect to face trials and difficulties.
Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b)
In spite of difficulties, Jesus promised his followers a peace beyond understanding. The peace of Jesus is something that only his followers can experience.
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27)
Nothing in universe can separate believers from the love of God.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, not angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35, 37-39)
The promise of God to those who trust in Jesus is peace with God in this world and eternal life in the world to come.
When Jesus returns in power and glory, those who have trusted in him for salvation will live forever in his glorious presence!
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
This wonderful gift of eternal life is given to all those who have been saved through faith in Jesus.
The most important question for each of us to ask is, "Where do I stand in the sight of God?"
The Bible says that "when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. The will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction [hell], away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
On the cross, Jesus suffered the justice and wrath of God on behalf of all those who trust in him as Savior and Lord. On the other hand, those who do not trust him as Savior and Lord will rightly suffer the judgment of God themselves.
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:16)
"Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)
There is no middle ground with Jesus.
Jesus said, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Matthew 12:30)
Everlasting life, joy, and peace await those who stand on the Lord's side.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again [spiritually] to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time... Though you may have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-5, 8-9)
The question remains: Where do you stand in the sight of God?
Are you on the Lord's side, or on your own side? Are you living for God through Jesus, or are you living for yourself? If Jesus returned today, would you experience the everlasting joy of heaven with him, or would you suffer the wrath of God?
Are you ready to follow Jesus as your Savior and Lord? If so, then you must repent of your sins and place our faith in Jesus alone for salvation. You must believe that he lived, died, and rose again for your salvation. You must commit your life to him as your living Savior and Lord. If you are ready to have your sins forgiven and to receive the gift of eternal life, then trust in Jesus right now.
Go to God in prayer (prayer is talking to God). Admit to him that you are a sinner and in need of a Savior. Ask him to have mercy on you and to forgive you of your sins.
Thank him for sending his Son, Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection secured salvation for all who will follow him. Commit your life to Jesus. Tell him that you repent of your sins and trust in him as Savior and Lord.
Ask him to fill you with his presence by giving you his Holy Spirit to empower you to live a life that will bring glory to his name.
The Bible says, "Whoever has the Son ahs life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5;12-13)
As a new believer in Christ, you must always remember that Christ "died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:15)
Only by putting Christ first can we Christians experience victory in our lives. We can do this through:
Prayer: Pray daily. Speak to God as you would your dearest friend.
Worship: Give God the praise that he deserves. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Bible Study: The Bible is the Word of God. Read it daily. The book of Lue (in the New Testament) is a great place to start.
Fellowship: Meet regularly with other Christians who will help you grow in your new life with Christ. Finding a faithful church that believes the Bible and glorifies Jesus is a great way to begin.
Service: Serve Christ and serve your fellow human beings. We Christians do not serve out of mere duty, but out of love for our Savior, seeking to be obedient in every aspect of life for the sake of Jesus, our Lord.
Witnessing: Tell others about what Christ has done in your life. Share the good news of God's Grace with all who will listen.
As soon as possible, seek out a faithful church that will baptize you (ask the pastor to explain baptism) and give you guidance and help in your new walk with Christ. Seek a church where Jesus is glorified and the Bible is taught. If you need assistance, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you locate a faithful church in your area.
Experiencing God's Grace
Are you experiencing God’s grace? The sections below are designed to tell you the most important message you could ever hear… the message of God’s Grace. This message comes to us through God’s Word, the Bible, and was made possible through God’s Son, Jesus.
Click on the sections below to learn more!
God is the beginning of Grace. In fact, he is the beginning of all things.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)
The vast expanse of the universe and everything in it is the work of God alone. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. All creation reflects his majestic power and glory.
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)
As Creator, God alone is worthy of the praise of his creation.
"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they existed and were created." (Revelation 4:11)
God, our Creator, is a God of holiness and love.
"HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the LORD GOD, the ALMIGHTY, who was and is and is to come." (Revelation 4:8)
Holiness is the attribute of God that makes him completely unique and separate from his creation. God is Majestic, Glorious, and Perfect in every way. The slightest sin or imperfection cannot dwell in his Holy presence.
The Bible says of God, "O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens." (Psalm 8:1)
God's love is as great as his holiness and might. God's love is demonstrated by his care for all creatures and his gracious disposition and compassion towards us.
The Bible speaks of "the goodness and loving kindness of God." (Titus 3:4)
"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet." (Psalm 8:3-6)
What makes us so special? We, unlike the rest of God's creation, were created in the image of God himself!
"God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)
Because God is our loving Creator and Ruler, we are responsible to love, worship, and obey him alone. Since he created us, he has the right to lay his claim on our lives.
Jesus said, "You shall worship the LORD your GOD, and him only shall you serve." (Matthew 4:10)
Jesus also said, "'You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and first commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)
Why, then, do we not reflect God's glory and obey him as we should?
Soon after God created Adam and Eve (the first man and woman), they willfully chose to rebel against God, and sin entered the human race. Every person thereafter has inherited that sinful nature and has continued to rebel against our creator. The result of sin is that we have failed to reflect God's glory. In order to dwell in his holy presence, God does not require that we merely do our best to live good lives; he requires us to reflect his perfection.
God said, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." (Leviticus 19:2b)
God does not judge us based upon how we compare to our fellow human beings, but on how we compare to him.
Clearly, all of us fall short of his perfect standard.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
We are all sinners both by nature (because we have inherited our sinful natures from Adam and Eve) and by choice (because we all willfully choose to disobey God).
"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." (Romans 5:12)
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)
Because God is perfect in Holiness, he cannot tolerate the presence of sin. Our sins have separated us from our Creator.
"Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you." (Isaiah 59:2)
Because sin separates us from God, it carries tragic consequences.
"The wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23)
One day, we will all stand before God to give an account for our deeds.
"And just as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)
Jesus warned, "when the Son of Man [Jesus] come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne." (Matthew 25:31)
God will separate the sinners from the righteous. The righteous will enter into eternal life in heaven to dwell with God. Sinners will be sent away from the presence of God into a place of eternal punishment called hell.
Jesus also warned, "These [sinners] will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:46)
The problem is, how can we sinners ever become righteous in God's sight?
Atonement means "to repair a broken relationship."
God, because of his great love for his creation, sent his Son Jesus into the world so that sinners may be reconciled to God.
Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Peace with God was made possible by everything Jesus did on behalf of sinners. This includes his life, death, and resurrection.
His Life. Jesus did for sinners what they could not do for themselves. He succeeded where we failed.
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)
Jesus is God.
"In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word [Jesus] was with God, and the Word [Jesus] was God." (John 1:1)
Jesus became a man.
"And the Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life.
The Bible says that Jesus is "one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)
The Bible says that Jesus "committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." (1 Peter 2:22)
His Death. God has provided atonement between himself and sinners through the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus died as the substitute for sinners; he died in our place.
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for s." (Romans 5:8)
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous that he might bring us to God..." (1 Peter 3:18)
At the cross, an amazing exchange took place: our sins were credited to Jesus; his righteousness is credited to those who follow him.
"For our sake he [God] made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him [Jesus] we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
His Resurrection. Jesus' death is not the end of the story. Three days later, he arose victoriously from the grace! Death has been defeated! Jesus' resurrection is proof that God has approved his ministry. Jesus alone is Savior and Lord!
"He [God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man [Jesus] whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:31)
By his life, Jesus attained righteousness on sinner's behalf. By his death, Jesus paid the penalty that sinners owed. By his resurrection, Jesus defeated death for all who will follow him.
The blessings of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection apply only to those who will follow him as Savior and Lord.
This response to follow Jesus is called conversion.
We must each receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord by a voluntary and intentional act of the will This act includes both repentance and faith. Repentance involves turning from sin to obey God. Faith is an active trust in Jesus' atoning life, death, and resurrection.
To receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, we must trust him alone for salvation.
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
And we must repent. To repent means to turn from our sins and turn to Jesus in love and obedience.
"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent." (Acts 17:30)
Jesus said, "unless you repent, you all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3)
Jesus also said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
God offers us salvation as a free gift (grace). God's grace comes to us through faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Our sin separates us from God. Our best efforts cannot overcome this barrier.
Jesus' life, death. and resurrection broke the sin barrier. Believers are united to God through him.
God's grace comes to those who receive Jesus by faith.
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12)
The Bible says, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved... for 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" (Romans 10:9, 13).
"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." (Romans 1:16)
For those who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, God gives the promise of eternal life.
Jesus promised, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24)
"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son does not have life." (1 John 5:12)
Jesus brings new life to all who place their faith in him.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 517)
Jesus said, "...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
This promise of abundant life does not mean that we will be free form troubles in this lifetime. In fact, the followers of Jesus can expect to face trials and difficulties.
Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b)
In spite of difficulties, Jesus promised his followers a peace beyond understanding. The peace of Jesus is something that only his followers can experience.
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27)
Nothing in universe can separate believers from the love of God.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, not angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35, 37-39)
The promise of God to those who trust in Jesus is peace with God in this world and eternal life in the world to come.
When Jesus returns in power and glory, those who have trusted in him for salvation will live forever in his glorious presence!
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
This wonderful gift of eternal life is given to all those who have been saved through faith in Jesus.
The most important question for each of us to ask is, "Where do I stand in the sight of God?"
The Bible says that "when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. The will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction [hell], away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
On the cross, Jesus suffered the justice and wrath of God on behalf of all those who trust in him as Savior and Lord. On the other hand, those who do not trust him as Savior and Lord will rightly suffer the judgment of God themselves.
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:16)
"Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)
There is no middle ground with Jesus.
Jesus said, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Matthew 12:30)
Everlasting life, joy, and peace await those who stand on the Lord's side.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again [spiritually] to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time... Though you may have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-5, 8-9)
The question remains: Where do you stand in the sight of God?
Are you on the Lord's side, or on your own side? Are you living for God through Jesus, or are you living for yourself? If Jesus returned today, would you experience the everlasting joy of heaven with him, or would you suffer the wrath of God?
Are you ready to follow Jesus as your Savior and Lord? If so, then you must repent of your sins and place our faith in Jesus alone for salvation. You must believe that he lived, died, and rose again for your salvation. You must commit your life to him as your living Savior and Lord. If you are ready to have your sins forgiven and to receive the gift of eternal life, then trust in Jesus right now.
Go to God in prayer (prayer is talking to God). Admit to him that you are a sinner and in need of a Savior. Ask him to have mercy on you and to forgive you of your sins.
Thank him for sending his Son, Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection secured salvation for all who will follow him. Commit your life to Jesus. Tell him that you repent of your sins and trust in him as Savior and Lord.
Ask him to fill you with his presence by giving you his Holy Spirit to empower you to live a life that will bring glory to his name.
The Bible says, "Whoever has the Son ahs life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5;12-13)
As a new believer in Christ, you must always remember that Christ "died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:15)
Only by putting Christ first can we Christians experience victory in our lives. We can do this through:
Prayer: Pray daily. Speak to God as you would your dearest friend.
Worship: Give God the praise that he deserves. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Bible Study: The Bible is the Word of God. Read it daily. The book of Lue (in the New Testament) is a great place to start.
Fellowship: Meet regularly with other Christians who will help you grow in your new life with Christ. Finding a faithful church that believes the Bible and glorifies Jesus is a great way to begin.
Service: Serve Christ and serve your fellow human beings. We Christians do not serve out of mere duty, but out of love for our Savior, seeking to be obedient in every aspect of life for the sake of Jesus, our Lord.
Witnessing: Tell others about what Christ has done in your life. Share the good news of God's Grace with all who will listen.
As soon as possible, seek out a faithful church that will baptize you (ask the pastor to explain baptism) and give you guidance and help in your new walk with Christ. Seek a church where Jesus is glorified and the Bible is taught. If you need assistance, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you locate a faithful church in your area.
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Contact Details
Our Location
3890 Raikes Hill Road
Elk Horn, KY 4233
Contact Us
Phone: 270.849.5765
Email: info@raikeshill.com
Send Us A Message
Contact Details
Our Location
3890 Raikes Hill Road
Elk Horn, KY 4233
Contact Us
Phone: 270.849.5765
Email: info@raikeshill.com