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The Gospel
An Invitation
Are you at peace? Is life a mystery? Do you ever wonder about
life after death? No one is really at peace until they find peace with God. But
how can this happen?
The Bible says we can experience peace and find the meaning
of life by becoming a Christian. One is not automatically a Christian. One makes
a decision to become a Christian; one chooses to trust and follow Jesus Christ.
Christian faith is not inherited; no one can make this
all-important decision for another. Nor can one become a Christian merely by
going to church, or being kind to our neighbors. The requirements for becoming a
Christian are clearly revealed:
1. Repent of your sinful and selfish ways. We are all
sinners. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
"Two workers wanted to reach the roof of a building thirty
feet high. One had an eight-foot stepladder, while the other had a ladder
twenty feet long. Although both climbed as high as possible and stretched as
far as possible, neither could reach the roof. So it is with all of us.
Some, like the worker on the stepladder, fall far short of God’s noble
purpose for them. Others, like the worker with the twenty-foot ladder,
though living outwardly moral lives, still fall short of the life that
completely pleases God. No one lives as fully as Jesus Christ did. All have
sinned before God. Therefore all need to be saved from sin and given the
power to obey God."
2. Believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as your
personal Savior. "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." (Acts
16:31) This requires faith, trust, belief.
The story has been told of a man who was crossing a
desert in the days of the pioneers. He ran into trouble and was dying of
thirst when he spotted a pump near an abandoned shack. He had no water to
prime the pump, but he noticed a jug of water near the pump with a note
attached. It read: "There is just enough water in this jug to prime the
pump, but not if you drink some first. Pour the water in the top of the pump
and pump the handle quickly. After you have had a drink, refill this jug for
the next man who comes along."
What would the man dying of thirst do? To follow the
instructions and prime the pump without first taking a drink would be an
exercise of the kind of belief the Bible speaks of. Biblical belief requires
that one stake his life on the truth of the promise. If the man follows the
instructions, he takes the chance of pouring out all the water and getting
none to drink if the pump fails. So he must trust that the message is right.
He must act in belief, without first receiving, and must trust in the truth
of the promise.
3. Accept His promise. John 3:16 says:
"For God so loved the world"
- that includes everyone
"that He gave His only Son"
- Jesus Christ
"so that everyone"
- which means anyone who will
"who believes in Him"
- you are saved by believing that Jesus died for you and by receiving Him as your Savior
"should not perish"
- the wages of sin is death
"but have eternal life"
- this is God's promise, believe it.
4. Obey the commands of Christ. Jesus said, "If you love
me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
Do you want Jesus Christ to help you to be the kind of person
you wish to be? Are you truly sorry for neglecting God and failing to do God’s
will? Will you turn from your selfishness and sin and put your trust in Jesus
Christ now as your Savior? If so, pray using the following outline:
- Thank God for His gift of Jesus Christ, who died for you.
- Ask God to forgive your wrongdoings.
- Tell God that you have put your trust in Jesus.
- Ask God to save you now for Jesus’ sake.
- Promise God that with His help, you will live for Christ all your life.
Now go to a church that preaches the Bible and that Jesus is
the only way for salvation. Tell someone about your decision. Drop us an
E-mail and we would be happy to put you in touch with other believers who
can help you in your journey.
Remember, God does not force anyone to follow Him. God
prepares a table for us, but we shall starve to death unless we decide to come
and eat. The choice is up to you!
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