Knowing that your sins are forgiven, that you are accepted by Jesus and that you are part of God's eternal community is simple, but that doesn't make it easy.  It's hard.  This is not something you just raise your hand if you feel like it.  This is about your entire life: heart, body, money, relationships, time, everything.

 

Oh, but when you come into the life of Jesus, there is joy, there is security, there is hope, there is an mission and purpose, there is freedom from all guilt, there is life transformation.  There is LIFE in Jesus.

 

So where do I begin getting connected to Jesus?

The Bible says that there are no good people.  None.  I'm not good.  You are not good.  We are all bad people.  The Bible says we are evil.  If you look at your motives, your failures, the good things you should do and don't do.  If you consider little kids even... yeah... we are bad.

 

It starts with realizing you have a problem.  That problem is sin.

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).

 

When you realize that you are a sinner.  Know this, your sin will keep you from God unless you repent (turn away and leave the sin behind).  So admit it to God. Tell him you know you are bad and you need his forgiveness.  And you know you cannot do or be good enough to approach him.  

 

That's the bad news.

 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

This is the good news.   God draws near to you.  The eternal and only God comes close to us, by 'taking on flesh', he becomes a human!  He walks among us and shows us grace and truth.  JESUS.

 

Jesus lived a sinless life, died the death our sins deserved, 3 days later he rose from the grave because death could not hold the sinless one.  It is here he conquered eternal death which is separation from God.  It is at the resurrection that he conquered the power of sin so that our lives can be transformed daily.  It is here that he conquered Satan who is the enemy of our soul. 

 

At the resurrection, Jesus gives life to everyone who repents, believes & trusts in him.  At the resurrection, Jesus gives us righteousness or goodness so we can be accepted and know the one & eternal God.

 

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and

purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

 

... and you need to place Jesus as the God of your life

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me."  (John 20:28-29) 

 

You might want to use the following prayer as a guide:

 

If you prayed something like that with your whole being, I'm really excited for you.  And so is the church, even the angels are excited and most importantly God.  This is the beginning of the Journey for you.  I encourage you to join with us or another Bible believing, Jesus centered church to take the Journey with. 

 

We'd love for you to come to a Sunday gathering to worship God with us...  to be a part of a group where you grow like Jesus with friends... and to go on the mission of Jesus to others extending grace and truth.

 

If you have prayed this or have questions, would you send us an e-mail?

info@newviewchurch.com