the Marketplace to Christ
How do you know if you’re a real Christian? What is a real Christian? What does one do to become real? What makes it real?
These are great questions. Arriving at answers is a simple process that is life changing.
Let’s take a look at them.
“…We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
– Romans 5:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that
Whoever believes in Him shall not parish, but have eternal life.”
– John 3:16
“…I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
– John 10:10
God wants us to experience peace and have a meaningful, purposeful life – abundant and eternal. Since this is what God wants for us, why are so many people not experiencing it?
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
– Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- Romans 6:23
We are created in God’s image with a free will and ability to choose. Our freedom of choice is special. But it’s also the cause of our separation from God, because when we chose to disobey God and go our own way, that’s sin. Sin results in separation from our God and creator, and it can be eternal. But there is a remedy.
“God is on one side and the all the other people on the other side,
and Jesus Christ, Himself man, is between them to bring them together.”
– 1 Timothy 2:5
“But demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.”
- Romans 5:8
“Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the
Father, except through me.”
- John 14:6
Jesus Christ provides the only solution to our problem of separation. He paid our penalty by dying on the cross in our place. His rising from the grave bridged the gap from God to man. God provided us a choice, one solution. We must make the choice.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and
this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works,
so that no one can boast.”
– Ephesians 2:8&9
“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.”
– Romans 10:9
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice,
and opens the door, I will come in.”
– Revelation 3:20
We must believe in Jesus Christ, the son of God, and receive Him as Savior and Lord, and then we are no longer living in separation. We can begin to live the life God wants for us; to experience peace and have a meaningful, purposeful life – abundant and eternal.
“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”
- Romans 10:13
“To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name,
He gave the right to become children of God.”
- John 1:12
Are you ready to receive Christ? Is there a good reason why you cannot do so now? All you have to do is admit your need for Jesus Christ because you are separated from God by sin, be willing to turn away from the old ways that can lead to sin (repent), believe Christ died for you, in your place on the cross and He then rose from the dead, for you, and through prayer you can invite Jesus into your life and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is salvation.
Here is a simple prayer you can say:
Dear God,
I know I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins. I am willing to turn from them and invite Christ into my heart and life as my personal Savior. I am willing to follow Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life.
Amen.
Did you pray the prayer?
If so, we'd like to know about the most important decision you have ever made by going to the link provided: http://www.cbmcelkhart.com/contact.php
Where is Christ in your life right now? What is the promise you now have from Him?
You are now reborn – justified.
“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; and he who does not have the Son of God
does not have eternal 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
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Romans 5:1
What Now?
We want to hear from you, especially if you received Christ for the first time. Tell us about it and upon your request, a CBMC member will contact you to share more opportunities to connect with other Christians.
Click below to contact CBMC Michiana:
http://www.cbmcelkhart.com/contact.php
We encourage you to also:
- Obtain and read the Bible, daily if you can.
- Talk to God through prayer, in your own words.
- Meet, worship and fellowship with other believers, and in a church.
- Tell others about Jesus Christ, share what He did for you.
- Give time, talent and money where you are able, for the kingdom.
- Grow in faith, mentor someone.
- Consider further involvement with CBMC and its resources.
- Be happy and content, place the proper priorities over your life:
“Seek first the
and all these other things will be given to you as well.”
- Matthew 6:33
