How can a person get in to a relationship with God?
That is a great question and we find God’s answer written out in His Word, the Bible.
According to the Bible, the first step is understanding that we are in trouble! We have separated ourselves from God through our own wrong actions and attitudes. Romans 3:23 says this, “We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Most of us don’t have a hard time acknowledging this is true. We know better than anyone else how often we fail to have pure thoughts and motives and actions.
And there is more bad news! The result of sin is death, or in other words, eternal separation from God. A perfect God can’t be in relationship with sin. It is like oil and water…even the smallest drop of sin can never mix with God’s purity.
But our Creator God loves us deeply and He planned a way of rescue that satisfies His perfect justice and His perfect mercy. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as a gift to all mankind. Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, and then died on a cross to pay for our sins completely. On the third day after His death, Jesus rose from the dead proving He was God in an exercise of His great power. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 5:8 explains His loving sacrifice in this way, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ died in our place to make us pure.
A relationship with God is a gift you can enjoy personally regardless of your history, gender, race, bank account, education, or background. Nothing is required except to receive that gift by simply trusting in Jesus Christ’s payment for your sins through His death on the cross. By faith you can begin your eternal relationship with God. Acts 16:31 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved…” The Bible also tells us, “For it is by grace you are saved through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.”(Ephesians 2:8,9)
Trusting in Jesus Christ is the single most important decision any person can ever make. It is a decision that has eternal impact and it is a decision which will change your life starting today. We pray you will decide to put your trust in Jesus Christ and accept the gift of a relationship with God. It can be as simple as saying something like this:
God, I know that I am a sinner. I have not lived up to your perfect standards. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for my sins, and thank you that He rose again on the third day proving to all the world that He was who He said He was. I receive this gift of an eternal relationship with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Check out Lydia’s Story to hear more on having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Please feel free to leave any questions or comments you might have in the comment box of this post. If you want your comments to not be published, simply tell us that in your message and it will remain private. If you would like to talk confidentially to a volunteer about beginning a relationship with Christ call toll free at 1-888-NEEDHIM or chat online at NeedHim.org.
