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Taking the First Step
The “GOOD NEWS” is that God Himself is here to help you…
Do you find yourself wondering why you’re here or question what the use of life is? Do you often feel lonely even when you’re surrounded by people? Do you have this sense that there has to be something more to life but you just can’t seem to figure out what you’re missing? This is your heart’s longing to know God.
Without having a close and personal relationship with God, nothing in life makes sense. I can promise that if you want to continue living a joyless life, one that seems meaningless and unimportant, all you have to do is continue living your life without God being your guide. Every time you win, every time you get what you think you always wanted, it will never be enough. Knowing God and having a personal relationship with Him is the only way to start seeing your life – and your situation – through a new set of eyes.
The first step you must take toward finding freedom is to believe in God’s one and only Son, Jesus. If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your personal savior, or perhaps you don’t understand why people make such a big deal about this “Jesus thing”, then I challenge you to open your mind and your heart for the next few pages.
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Imagine you’re in a courtroom. You’re about to be judged. You step up to the bench. The Judge speaks.
“My child, should I find you innocent or guilty?”
“Why, I’m innocent. I was a good person God. I did a lot of good things on earth. I mean I wasn’t perfect, but I was basically good. I should definitely go to heaven. ”
The Judge replies, “Good works alone aren’t enough to let you go free. Let me ask you, have you ever told a lie?”
“Well, yes, but only little white lies. They don’t count, right?”
“Have you ever stolen anything?”
“No. I wouldn’t steal. I’d never do that.”
“You’ve never stolen anything? Not even anything small?”
“Okay, you got me. I took a pen from work. I guess that makes me a thief too. But it’s not like I’m a murderer or anything. I’ve done lots of good things in my life. What about the time I….”
“Let me ask you this. Have you ever hated anyone?”
“Well, you of all people already know the answer to that question…so yes.”
“My law says if you hate someone in your heart, it’s as if you’ve committed murder. So by your own admission, you’re a liar, thief, and murderer. Should we continue on and see how many more of my commandments you’ve broken?”
“God, please! You’re a God of love, right? You’ll still let me in won’t you? You’ll have
“Make no mistake: I am a God of love – but I’m also a God of justice. You’ve broken my laws, and no matter how much it hurts me, I can’t just look the other way. I find you guilty and give you a fine of eternity in hell for breaking my laws. I must send you away.”
Just then, someone you’ve never met interrupts the courtroom. He walks up and speaks.
“Judge, if you permit, I’d like to pay his fine. Here’s a check for payment in full. Set him free.”
The Judge turns to you. “So do you accept this man paying your fine so you can go free?”
“Yes, yes….thank you…”
As you’re led out of the courtroom, you turn to this man and wonder why he gave you such a gift. You are so thankful for His free gift that you can’t describe for it in words….
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You see, our good works alone will never be enough to escape judgment. God knew this, so that’s why He sent His son Jesus to pay your fine. God guarantees you a spot in Heaven but only if you are willing to accept His payment. He wants to have a relationship with you – both now and in eternity - because He loves you. That’s right. God loves YOU just like you are – imperfections and all. He knows about all the wrong you’ve done. Yet He still loves you, and He still died on the cross to pay for YOUR sins. He’s offering you the same free gift of life that He offers to everyone who chooses to believe.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world [because this comes from God], but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18
“But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law…. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with underserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his own blood.“ Romans 3:21-25
Please understand that believing in God and accepting His son Jesus as your personal savior is more than head knowledge – it’s heart knowledge. It’s asking God to forgive you of all your past mistakes and then asking Him to come into your life to give you guidance and direction. God wants to have a personal and close relationship with YOU.
If you’ve never gotten to know God, then start talking to Him. That’s what prayer is all about - opening our hearts to Him. If you want to take the first step toward living in freedom by accepting Christ as your savior, then take a chance and read the following prayer with your heart. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Dear God. I’ve always done things my way before and now here I am. Tired, confused, and even sometimes hopeless. I want to feel the joy that comes from living a life with You as my guide. I want to get to know You. I’ve disappointed You and displeased You for so long. I’ve made so many mistakes and broken so many of your laws. Please forgive me. Please wash away my sins and create in me a fresh start. I believe that you sent your Son Jesus to pay my fine so that I could escape judgment. Thank You for this gift that I don’t deserve. Please come into my life now and direct me on where I should go. Fill me with your Spirit. Show me your purpose and your plan and guide me every step of the way. Thank you for loving me so much.
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, then my guess is that you’re smiling right about now! Unexplainable joy and peace is filling your soul. God’s word says this is the Holy Spirt, who has come to be your Counselor, and “whom the Father will send … [and] will teach you all things.” (John 14:26)
****************** So you’ve already taken the first step of accepting Christ as your savior, but where do you go from here? Maybe you just prayed that prayer, or maybe you invited Christ in your life many years ago. Either way, it’s important to realize that life in Christ is a journey, not a destination. The degree to which Christ is able to transform your life depends on how much time you spend getting to know Him.
Click Here to read more about the keys to “growing up” in Christ and releasing His restoration power in your life…
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© Jill Satterfield, All Rights Reserved |