I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN... What are the steps?

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If you are not 100% certain where you will spend eternity or where you stand with Jesus, the next three to five minutes will be the most important minutes of your life. The Bible is the Word of God, and it contains both Good News and bad news.  The bad news is something about YOU.  The Good News is something about GOD.  

Let’s look at the bad news first.

 “For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  The word sin means to miss the mark.  Whether big or small; whether in our words, thoughts or actions, we have all failed to meet God’s standard of perfection.  

 Unfortunately for us, the bad news gets worse.  Romans 6:23 informs us that the penalty for our sin is death and eternal separation from God.  Read also Matthew 25:41-46.  

But don’t stop reading now, this is where the bad news starts to get better….in fact it gets much better.  

 Although sin separated man from God, Jesus came to restore man back to the Father.  Roman 6:23 says "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  In other words, Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves.  He paid the penalty for our sins and made a way for us to have a right relationship with God the Father. John 3:16 states: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Read also Matthew 25:31-40

Think about that for a moment.  The Holy and Perfect God of the universe loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die in your place so you could be right with Him if you believe. How amazing is that!!!

 Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Notice the scripture again states that living eternal life with Jesus is a gift. We cannot earn it, we cannot be “good enough” for it, and none of us deserves it.  All we can do with this gift is accept it or refuse it. 

We accept this gift by believing in Jesus, asking Him into our hearts, and giving Him permission to be the Lord of our lives. If you are serious with God (since you are still reading this, I believe that you are), today is your day to accept the best gift you will ever receive.

 **Pray this prayer from the depths of your heart if you want to be right with God and sure about where you will spend eternity...  

 Father, your Word says, if I confess my sins, you are faithful and just to forgive me for all my sins.  Therefore, God I ask you to forgive me for my sins.  I accept Jesus

Christ as Lord and Savior of my life.  I confess with my mouth that you are my Lord and King.  I believe in my heart that Jesus died for my sins and that you raised Him from the dead. I receive you into my heart. I thank you for offering me the gift of eternal life.  I realize that I did not earn this gift, but today I receive it. I no longer want to live for myself, but I want to live for you.   Teach me to be more like you and to live for you each day.  In JESUS' name I pray.  Amen.  

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