Whether you have been a Christian for years, someone who was a believer but has fallen away, or even one who never darkened the door of a church, there is good news. God, your Heavenly Father, has a plan and purpose for your life. It is not his intention that you wander aimlessly in a futile search for meaning and happiness. Just as man has a purpose in mind for what he creates, so does God. "I [Christ] am come that they might have life and that they might have it abundantly." John 10:10.

Heaven that is, eternal life, is offered to you by God freely as a gift. "...the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23. It is not something we can earn for ourselves. Trying to be a good person, doing good works, following philosophical/religious practices, or even going to church will not buy your way into heaven. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Man is sinful and has disobeyed God's law (The Holy Bible) by doing wrong things and having evil thoughts "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23. Man was created to have relationship with God, but man decided to go his own way and broke that relationship. This rebellion against God and His law is what the Bible calls sin. For this reason, man now experiences eternal separation from God, which we call death. "For the wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23.

Just as a convicted murderer cannot escape a death sentence by doing community service, neither can a sinner find absolution through doing good deeds. Even if a man committed only one sin in his lifetime, he would still be accountable to God "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10

God loves his children and does not want to punish them. "...God is love" I John 4:8 But God is also just and must judge sin. "...that will by no means clear the guilty..." Exodus 34:7 A courtroom judge would not be considered just if he did not pass sentence the law requires on a convicted felon, so God would not be just if He did not punish according to His own law in the Bible.

God sent his son Jesus into the world for the salvation of mankind. He led a sinless life and showed mankind the way to eternal life and relationship with God. He died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins. "All we like sheep are gone astray: we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6 "But God commendeth His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Jesus Christ is the only provision for man's sin and the only way to have relationship with God. "...I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 The way to accept God's gift of eternal life is to believe and trust that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sins. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved..." Acts 16:31

Once you have believed in Christ's payment for your sins, you must receive Him into your heart as your personal savior. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him..." Revelation 3:20 Pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart and let him be Lord of your life. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation... Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:10,13 Having Jesus as Lord means to forsake living your life your way and then following and obeying him by what is written in God's Word (the Holy Bible). Here is a suggested prayer:

If you are already a Christian and know that you need to get yourself right with God, here is a suggested prayer for you:

If you prayed one of these prayers and meant it will all of your heart, you are now part of God's Family. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:12

Just as a child needs nourishment to grow physically, you, as a child of God need "spiritual nourishment" to continue to grow spiritually. Do the following to insure your continual growth as a Christian:

1. Make prayer part of your daily routine (John 15:7)
2. Read God's Word in the Bible daily (Acts 17:11). Start with one chapter a day in the gospel of John.
3. Find a church that teaches the Bible and embraces Jesus Christ and attend regularly (Hebrews 10:25)
4. Be a witness for Jesus Christ--tell others about Him and what he has done in your life (Matthew 10:32-33)

Copyright © 2003 Lewis Lynn Books