Seeking Jesus
Have you ever driven down an unfamiliar road and realized you were lost? It’s sometimes difficult, or perhaps humbling, to stop and ask for directions. By doing so, you’re admitting that you don’t have all the answers and need guidance. Of course, you’d be careful who you turn to as it’s important to get directions from someone familiar with the area to help you get on the right path. Choosing a reliable source is important. You would never flip through a cookbook looking for the route to your next vacation spot or ask a plumber about your heart condition. In order to receive trustworthy information, you must turn to the right source. Unfortunately, people seeking spiritual guidance often look in the wrong places.
When it comes to spiritual matters, human philosophers are not the right source because humans are imperfect. The Bible is not from man but from God (2 Peter 1:20-21) . It is flawless, perfect, eternal, powerful, the highest authority, and the only trustworthy guide. By using God’s Word, the Bible, you can discover the key to a relationship with the living God, which is the reason for our existence. God’s Word is our map to knowing the way: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to God the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 2 Peter 1:20b
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift. Romans 3:23-24a
Q: How can I have a relationship with God?
A:Through studying the Bible, we learn that God is holy, and mankind is sinful. This issue of sin must be dealt with in order to enter into a relationship with God. Since sin is any attitude, word, or action that offends holy God, we are all sinners (Romans 3:20-26). In the same way God’s nature is love, He is also just and set the penalty for sin as death or separation from Him. Yet, through His amazing gift of grace, God made a way for us to be forgiven of sin and guilt through His son, Jesus Christ. Nothing else could accomplish this: no work, good deeds or intentions, formula or religion (Ephesians 2:8-9). To satisfy God’s holy standard, Jesus died on the cross for our sins, becoming the perfect sacrifice for sinful man (Romans 5:6-8). You can enter into a relationship with God by accepting His sacrifice, His free gift of grace
Q: How do I accept His gift of grace?
A:After agreeing with God that I am a sinner, repentance is the next step toward being reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 7:10). Repentance results from sorrow over wrongdoing that leads to change in thinking, behavior, and direction. In repenting, you ask for God’s forgiveness and commit to change your behavior to what is pleasing to Him (1 John 1:9). Since this is not something you can do on your own, God has provided His Spirit to help you (John 14:15-17). The moment you admit that you can do nothing to rescue yourself and embrace Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins, you are eternally saved. At that time, God’s Spirit takes up permanent residence in you and begins teaching you truth and helping you make choices that honor your heavenly Father (John 14:26).
If you recognize your sin, see your need for a Savior, and are ready to make Jesus the supreme authority in your life, stop now and talk to God. Tell Him that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness, that you believe Jesus’ death on the cross is the only way of saving you from sin, and that you want Jesus to be Lord of your life. Upon doing this, you will become a child of God, eternally belonging to His family (Romans 10:9-10).
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
God will never leave you. Hebrews 13:5
Q: So where do I go from here?
A: First, trust that God has saved you and will never leave you (John 10:27-29). Next, tell someone what God has done for you (Matthew 10:32). Then, ask the Lord to lead you in knowing Him better and learning His Word. Find a church where you can worship and grow in your faith—a place that clearly proclaims Jesus and teaches His Word without compromise. While you may not initially feel any different, your new relationship with God will be confirmed by your increasing desire to please Jesus and know His Word.
Have you ever driven down an unfamiliar road and realized you were lost? It’s sometimes difficult, or perhaps humbling, to stop and ask for directions. By doing so, you’re admitting that you don’t have all the answers and need guidance. Of course, you’d be careful who you turn to as it’s important to get directions from someone familiar with the area to help you get on the right path. Choosing a reliable source is important. You would never flip through a cookbook looking for the route to your next vacation spot or ask a plumber about your heart condition. In order to receive trustworthy information, you must turn to the right source. Unfortunately, people seeking spiritual guidance often look in the wrong places.
When it comes to spiritual matters, human philosophers are not the right source because humans are imperfect. The Bible is not from man but from God (2 Peter 1:20-21) . It is flawless, perfect, eternal, powerful, the highest authority, and the only trustworthy guide. By using God’s Word, the Bible, you can discover the key to a relationship with the living God, which is the reason for our existence. God’s Word is our map to knowing the way: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to God the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 2 Peter 1:20b
Q: How can I have a relationship with God?
A: Through studying the Bible, we learn that God is holy, and mankind is sinful. This issue of sin must be dealt with in order to enter into a relationship with God. Since sin is any attitude, word, or action that offends holy God, we are all sinners (Romans 3:20-26). In the same way God’s nature is love, He is also just and set the penalty for sin as death or separation from Him. Yet, through His amazing gift of grace, God made a way for us to be forgiven of sin and guilt through His son, Jesus Christ. Nothing else could accomplish this: no work, good deeds or intentions, formula or religion (Ephesians 2:8-9). To satisfy God’s holy standard, Jesus died on the cross for our sins, becoming the perfect sacrifice for sinful man (Romans 5:6-8). You can enter into a relationship with God by accepting His sacrifice, His free gift of grace
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift. Romans 3:23-24a
Q: How do I accept His gift of grace?
A: After agreeing with God that I am a sinner, repentance is the next step toward being reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 7:10). Repentance results from sorrow over wrongdoing that leads to change in thinking, behavior, and direction. In repenting, you ask for God’s forgiveness and commit to change your behavior to what is pleasing to Him (1 John 1:9). Since this is not something you can do on your own, God has provided His Spirit to help you (John 14:15-17). The moment you admit that you can do nothing to rescue yourself and embrace Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins, you are eternally saved. At that time, God’s Spirit takes up permanent residence in you and begins teaching you truth and helping you make choices that honor your heavenly Father (John 14:26).
If you recognize your sin, see your need for a Savior, and are ready to make Jesus the supreme authority in your life, stop now and talk to God. Tell Him that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness, that you believe Jesus’ death on the cross is the only way of saving you from sin, and that you want Jesus to be Lord of your life. Upon doing this, you will become a child of God, eternally belonging to His family (Romans 10:9-10).
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Q: So where do I go from here?
A: First, trust that God has saved you and will never leave you (John 10:27-29). Next, tell someone what God has done for you (Matthew 10:32). Then, ask the Lord to lead you in knowing Him better and learning His Word. Find a church where you can worship and grow in your faith—a place that clearly proclaims Jesus and teaches His Word without compromise. While you may not initially feel any different, your new relationship with God will be confirmed by your increasing desire to please Jesus and know His Word.