MORE ABOUT JESUS

WHAT IF I'M NOT SURE ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

God tells us through His Word, the Bible, that what keeps us from having a relationship with Him is our sinful nature – our natural tendency to be the "god" of our own life.  Our very nature causes us to carry out sinful behaviors, and that separates us from God.  That's a problem, because none of us are perfect - or ever can be on our own.

HOW CAN I BE SURE ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

UNDERSTAND
God knew we could never live a perfect life on our own, but He loves us so much He doesn't want to live without us.  In fact, He'd rather die for us - and He did.  When Jesus Christ came to this earth and died on the cross, it was a death-exchange - He died so we wouldn't have to.  He took the punishment – the death penalty – that we rightfully deserved.  Through His death, He gave His life so that we could have eternal life with Him.
How awesome is that?!

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TRUST
The Bible says that Christ died for EVERYONE.  Does this mean everyone is automatically going to heaven?   No.  There is one thing required of us – trust [faith].  Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross.  It's a GIFT, yours for the asking. But it doesn't become yours until you ASK for it - and ACCEPT it.  It’s that simple.  Wanna know how?

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ADMIT
First, admit to God that you have messed up - sinned - and are a part of the reason Christ had to go to the cross.  It was your sin [and mine] that nailed Him there.  It was His love for us that kept Him there. 

ASK & ACCEPT
If you would like to receive His awesome gift of eternal life [salvation], and a close and real relationship with Him, tell Him that you are ready to surrender completely to Him, and turn your life over to His care.   Accept His forgiveness and begin the indescribable journey of a new life with Christ.  There’s no special way you have to do it, just talk to Him in your own way, with your own words.  You might say something like this:
 

“Lord, I understand that no matter how hard I try, I’ll never be good enough to be perfect.  I know that Jesus took the punishment that I deserve by dying on the cross.  I want to know You in a close and real way.  I ask You to forgive me of my sins.
I surrender completely to You, and I ask You to take charge of my life.”

If you have asked - and accepted - Jesus as your Savior and the Lord of your life, you have just become a Child of God!  You have been reborn into the family of God, and there’s a big party taking place in Heaven!

TELL
Tell someone about your new life.  Talk with your pastor about it. If you don’t have a pastor, get in touch with Pastor Rick or Pastor Stan here at Emmanuel Church.  They’d like to help you begin your journey in becoming a fully-developing follower of Jesus as we navigate life together!