IS YOUR LIFE…E M P T Y. . . L O N E L Y?
God, who created you, has a plan of complete fulfillment for your life. Jesus says, "I have come that they (you) may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10, NIV)
WOULD YOU LIKE A NEW LIFE?
"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)
It's available to you! Jesus in Matthew 11:28 invites you to come. He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
What is causing you to be weary and burdened? Jesus in the Bible diagnoses the cause of weariness and burdens – Sin. And its sin that separates us from God.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
Sin is rebellion or indifference toward the One who created you – God. Revelation 21:8 describes this condition – "The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." And Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
GOD HAS PROVIDED A WAY TO NEW LIFE!
"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
JESUS, WHO NEVER SINNED, PAID FOR YOUR SIN THROUGH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS.
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6)
How do you deal with your sin? "Unless you repent, you too will all perish." (Luke 13:3) Repentance is best described in Proverbs 28:13, which says, "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."
HOW CAN YOU REPENT and RECEIVE JESUS BY FAITH?
It is essential to pray a prayer like this – "Lord Jesus, help me see all my sins You want me to confess to You now."
Next confess all the sins He has brought to your mind. Why? Because of God's promise of forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Remember, God does not and cannot lie – you are forgiven.
NOW RECEIVE JESUS BY FAITH.
"To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." (John 1:12-13)
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved…. for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" (Romans 10:9,10,13)
To receive Christ as Lord and Savior right now, you might pray a prayer like this:
"Lord Jesus, I come to You a lost and lonely sinner. I confess that only You can take away the burden of my sins. I believe You died on the cross for all my sins. Come into my life right now. Forgive all my sins. I surrender my life to You and want to receive You as Lord of my life. Please give me the assurance of the Holy Spirit that I belong to You. Amen."
Remember, God does not lie. Christ lives in your heart.
HOW CAN YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU HAVE A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST?
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:11-13)
Remember, God does not lie. You have eternal life.
HOW CAN YOU LIVE AN ABUNDANT CHRISTIAN LIFE AND GROW IN YOUR NEW LIFE?
† Pray daily.
† Read the Bible daily.
† When you sin, confess it to Jesus immediately (see 1 John 1:9 above).
† Find another Christian with whom to study the Bible and be accountable.
† Tell others about what has happened to you.
† Worship with other Christians in a Bible-believing church.
Immanuel prays that your relationship with Jesus continues to grow and your fellowship with other believers will bring you joy!
