1. God Loves You
God loves everyone and he desires us to have eternal
life. John 3:16 says, "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. And, John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and
have it to the full. (NIV)
2. You Are A Sinner In Need Of
Forgiveness
You have sinned by choosing to go your own way instead
of God's way. Through His Holy Spirit, God wants you to know that you
are seperated from God and will face His judgement. Romans 3:23 says,
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,".
Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of
God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." And, Heb 9:27 says,
"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face
judgment," (NIV)
3. God Wants To Forgive You
God demonstrated His love for you by sending His Son,
Jesus Christ. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus took
your judgement and made it possible for you to be forgiven. Romans 5:8
says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we
were still sinners, Christ died for us." And, 1 Pet 3:18 says,
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the
unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but
made alive by the Spirit, (NIV)
4. You Must Turn Away From Your
Sins
You cannot save yourself or earn God's forgiveness as
a result of being good enough. Just as you change directions when you
realize you're walking the wrong way, you must repent, or turn away,
from you sins. Luke 13:5 says, "I tell you, no! But unless you
repent, you too will all perish." And, Ephesians 2:8-9 say,
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this
not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one
can boast." (NIV)
5. You Must Place Your Faith In
God's Son, Jesus Christ
When you realize you are walking in the wrong
direction, you turn to find the right way. Jesus is the right way. As
you turn away from your sins, place your faith in Jesus to receive
forgiveness and eternal life. Acts 20:21 says, "I have declared to
both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have
faith in our Lord Jesus." And, John 14:6 says, "Jesus
answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me." (NIV)
6. You Receive Jesus Christ Through
Prayer
Because Jesus is alive, He stands ready to come into
your life. Revelations 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door
and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in
and eat with him, and he with me." (NIV) Through prayer you can:
Admit to God
that you are a sinner and that you are turning away from you sins;
Believe in Jesus by
thanking Him for dying on the cross and rising from the dead for your
sins;
Commit your life to
Jesus by asking Him to come into your life as your Savior and Lord.
After you have prayed this prayer, try to find a local
church where you can worship and learn more about Jesus. Also, commit to
a daily quiet time, reading your Bible and praying. Also, call
1-888-NEED-HIM to talk to someone about your decision or if you have
more questions.
Material taken from "Youth in
Discovery", Youth LIfe and Work Series - published by the Sunday
School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Scripture passages
taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright 1973,
1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
