Give our Lives to God's Son
God's forgiveness is not automatic or mechanical. We must personally take steps to receive it. A gift is not yours until you accpet and open the package. To receive Jesus' death as our own, we must do the following-
1. RECEIVE Jesus and his forgiveness as a free gift: You don't pay half with God paying the other half. There is no matching funds programs with God. We don't have to become 'pretty good' before we can be saved. The prophet Isaiah sets this straight: All our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9)
2. CONFESS what you believe about Christ: If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is LORD,' and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10).
3. Be willing to REPENT: to repend means to change you mind about how to live this life. We must decide to live God's way. Repent, then, and turn to God that your sins may be wiped out (Acts 3:19).
Questions to ask yourself:
Can you accpet God's love, forgiveness and heaven as a free gift to you?
Have you decided to turn away from your sin?
Have you confessed Christ publicly?
a personal prayer to begin a realtionship with Jesus Christ
Father, thank you for the free gift of eternal life. I know I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I am sorry for my past sins, and I ask You to forgive me. Jesus, I believe You died on the cross for my sins and arose from the dead. I now open the door of my heart and invite You to come into my life. I realize there is nothing I can do to earn my salvaltion, and I place my complete trust in You alone for eternal life. I choose to follow You as my Lord. Please make me the person You want me to be. Amen