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Step 1 - God’s Love and His plan
God created us in his own image to be his friend and to experience a full life assured of his love, abundant and eternal. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”—John 10:l0b “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” —Romans 5:1 Since God planned for us to have peace and abundant life right now, why are most people not having this experience? Step 2- Our Problem: Separation from God
God created us in his own image to have abundant (meaningful) life. He did not make us robots to automatically love and obey him, but he gave us a will and a freedom of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” - Romans 3:23 On our own, there’s no way we can attain the perfection needed to bridge the gap to God. Through the ages, individuals have tried many ways ... without success. Good works won’t do it ... or religion . .. or money . . or morality ... or philosophy or... “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” - Proverbs 14:12 Step 3 - God’s Remedy: The Cross
Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin and bridging the gap between God and people. “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” - I Peter 3:18 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ. - I Timothy 2:5 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8 Step 4 - Our Response
Believing means trust and commitment—acknowledging our sinfulness, trusting Christ’s forgiveness, and letting him control our life. Eternal, abundant life is a gift for us to receive. “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 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” —John 5:24 Where would you draw yourself in this illustration? What is keeping you from inviting Jesus into your life and crossing the Bridge to a relationship with God? How to Receive Christ 1. Admit your need (acknowledge, “I am a sinner”). 2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent). 3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. 4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and rule your life through the Holy Spirit (receive him as Lord and Savior of your life). Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as Lord and Savior of my life. In Jesus’ name Amen |
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