People were created by God to have a relationship with Him. Every person was designed by God with a special plan and purpose in mind for their life. That special plan and purpose for your life can only be fulfilled when you have a relationship with God. Success in life is defined by fulfilling your God-given purpose.
How can a person have a relationship with God? Although, most people in America call themselves Christians, very few actually have a relationship with God. You can call yourself anything you like, but that doesn’t make your label accurate. In this blog, I will lay out the succinct basics of entering into a relationship with God, based on the Bible. There is no other way. It is profound, but yet as simple as ABC.
A, you must ADMIT that you have done wrong things, you have sinned, every human being has. NLT Romans 3:23 For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. God’s glorious standard was exemplified in the perfect life of Jesus Christ, who never sinned. We all fall short of that standard. That sin separates you, a sinful human being, from having a relationship with a holy God. You need to simply admit it.
B, you must BELIEVE that Jesus Christ died on the cross to forgive your sins and release you from the penalty of the wrong you have done. Your sin separates you from having relationship with a holy God and condemns you to an eternity without God in a place called hell. Jesus having no sin of His own, took your sin upon Himself on the cross and paid your penalty, so that you could be released from eternal death and enter into enternal life. NLT Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. The free gift of God, eternal life, is received through faith, through believing that Jesus’ death is sufficient to forgive your sins and place you into a relationship with God. NLT John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Finally, C, you must COMMIT your life to following Jesus, all your days. That means that you make a firm and irrevocable decision to make Jesus the leader, the CEO, the president, the Lord of your life. From now on, you don’t call the shots anymore, He does. He has a plan for your life, and you are making a decision to follow it, no ifs, ands or buts about it. NLT Romans 10:9 For 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. It’s as simple and profound as that. ABC.
So, what are you waiting for? You don’t know how long you have on this earth. You’ve got a plan from God for your life to get started on. Don’t put it off. Simply go through the ABCs above and talk it through with God. He’s right there with you and He’s listening. Do it now!
If you’ve just prayed the ABC prayer, congratulations, you now have a relationship with God. If you are in the St Louis area, come to Life Church St Louis next Sunday, mark your Connect Card that you have committed your life, and we will get you a free New Believer’s New Testament to read and start figuring out God’s plan for you. You also need to get involved in a good, Bible-believing church. If you’re in St Louis, Life Church St Louis is the place to be. See you next Sunday!
You left out the most important part of the salvation issue. Baptism is commanded, following belief, repentance and confession. Read your Bible!
You are mistaken. A careful reading of the Bible shows that baptism is an act of obedience following salvation. Baptism is not part of beginning a relationship with God. Unfortunately, some denominations have confused their traditions with what the Bible actually teaches.
NIV Romans 10:9-10 That 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Dear Pastor Dan, I truly believe it is “divine intervention” when we are led to the words which we need to hear when we are experiencing difficulties in our lives. I have worked for over 35 years in one profession; have a masters degree in another profession but have not worked in that area (? fear holding me back). Now, I have been unemployed a number of months (my job was eliminated at former place of work). I have tried to obtain a job related to my second “degree” without success (? my age; ?my lack of experience). Your wise and compassionate writings are just what I needed today. Thank you so much for putting these messages online. God bless you and your ministy. Sally
God Bless Pastor Dan. Hope all is well. I love this blog post and I was wondering if I can borrow the information here to put on my blog? Thanks for your time!
Yes, that would be great.