John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God wants a close relationship with us. In the words of John 3:16 we find the heart of God’s plan for each of us. He intends for people to have eternal life. This eternal life means that men would have a secure relationship with God, a relationship of warm fellowship. This relationship brings us to the best life possible, a life guided by God, a life near to God. It also means an eternal home in Heaven and deliverance from eternity in Hell.
So God sent Jesus. Jesus walked in the manner in which we should walk. He operated without sin; He exemplified what it means to be right with God. Then Jesus died for our sins. On the cross He suffered in our place and paid the full penalty of sin. In His life He showed us the standard of righteousness: how to walk with God. In His death He became our substitute, taking the punishment for sin. The end result is a salvation that is totally based upon Him. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that it is by grace we are saved, through faith in Jesus. This salvation is “not of works.” Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God wants us to Know Jesus. There is nothing left to do then, but to believe. By receiving Jesus as Savior—we are recognizing that He is our only hope of a relationship with God.
God, I know that I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness. Please forgive me. I know that Jesus died for me on the cross to receive my punishment and I realize that I am lost without Him. I am asking Jesus to be my Savior. I am turning away from my sin; I am done trying to live without Your help. Please take control of my life as I receive Your Son and teach me to walk with You. Your Word says that those that believe on the Name of Jesus will be saved, and since I am believing in Jesus now, I thank You for Your promise of eternal life. Thank You for saving me. Amen.
Now that you have received Jesus as your Savior, God wants you to learn to walk with Him. This walk begins with prayer and your study of the Bible. This will begin a life-long dialogue between God and you, a God-centered life where you share with Him and He shares with you.
God wants us to Grow in our relationship with Him. Your relationship with God will also include your relationship with others who have believed in Jesus. Through your relationship with a Bible-believing church, you will begin to grow even more in your relationship with God. Your church will give you the chance to worship God with a larger assembly of believers. God deserves the praise and honor of His people; Jesus should be worshipped. Your church should also provide many opportunities to understand the Bible, to learn about your relationship with God, and to study the life-changing teachings of Jesus. The Bible says in Psalm 1 that we are to grow in God’s truth like a tree that has been planted by a river.
God wants us to Show Jesus in our lives. As we grow in God’s grace, we will discover that God changes us from the inside out. God uses the picture of fruit to describe the results of His Spirit working inside of us. In essence, the qualities and characteristics of Jesus should begin to show themselves in our lives. God’s work begins to show itself in our lives and also in our use of the gifts He has given us. God’s people join God’s team; they discover how God has made them; they serve Him with their abilities. Further, God’s children share His salvation with others; God wants us to tell others of His salvation through Jesus.
Join us at Faith Baptist Church as we serve God together; Knowing Him, Growing in Grace, and Showing Christ.
