The principles that I mentioned concern a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. There is no issue more important than the matter of your spiritual well-being. It relates to both your peace and your purpose, now and for eternity. Christ put it this way, "I came that you might have life abundantly" (John 10:10). That abundant life starts with a proper understanding of Jesus of Nazareth. As this is the most important decision you will ever make, I would like to share some thoughts with you concerning that relationship.
First of all, remember that becoming a Christian does not depend upon what you have done (being good, doing the best you can, going to church, reading your Bible and other commendable activities) but rather on what God has done for you. May I suggest that you read these verses from the Bible: John 1:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 5:11-12, and Revelation 3:20.
Second, a word of caution! Coming into this personal relationship with Jesus Christ is not based on an emotional experience. Feelings come and go, but your relationship with Christ is based on your trust in God and His Word. Jesus Christ is trustworthy; so, you can know that when you invite Him into your life He comes in because He said He would! The word "Christian" means "Christ in one." Once you have asked Him to come into your life, He promises, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5) and "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
Third, the most adventuresome thing about the Christian life is getting to know the person you have met--Jesus Christ. You know you like to spend time with a person whom you like so you can get to know each other. So it is with Jesus Christ. You get to know Him by spending time with Him. One way to do this is by reading the Bible! Read the Gospel of John, the fourth book of the New Testament. As you read, keep in mind this question: "What does this tell me about the living, risen Christ who now offers me a life of peace, purpose and power?"
You may be thinking that a personal relationship with Christ makes sense. If so, why not stop right now and invite Christ into your life. All you have to do is sincerely pray something like this: "Lord Jesus, I need You. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins. Take control of my life and make me the kind of person You want me to be."
The words of this prayer are not magic. You can know that Jesus Christ lives in you on the basis of His promise in Revelation 3:20, and that He will never leave you according to Hebrews 13:5.
Something else I might share with you is the importance of prayer. Prayer is simply talking with God. This does not mean that we have to memorize prayers in order to pray. He is now your Father. Talk to Him as such. If I always talked to my earthly father through memorized sentences, there would not have been much understanding or fellowship. The same is true of talking with your Heavenly Father.
Someone has wisely said that "what we believe about God is the most important thing about us." Therefore, I encourage you to read and study this significant issue in greater detail. Begin today and cultivate carefully the most important relationship a person can have--a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
Until the whole world hears,
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