How to be restored to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ
FIRST, know that God created all that there is, including every man, woman, and child. From the beginning, God desired that each person would have a personal, spiritual relationship with Him. He gave the first man, Adam, the freedom of moral choice. Adam was given only one commandment and he chose to disobey it. God told him that disobedience in this one area would result in Adam’s just punishment – death. ( Genesis 1-3 )
SECOND, know that you are a child of Adam. Your spiritual traits are inherited from your ancestors just as your physical ones are. Because Adam was a sinner, you are a sinner and like Adam before you, death is your consequence: every one of us lives with that … and then dies with it. But, fortunately, God still loves each of us anyway and He still wants each of us to have a lively, spiritual relationship with Him. ( John 3:16; Romans 3:23, 5:10, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22 )
THIRD, know that God, desiring to restore our relationship with Him, took our consequence on Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus, Who is God in the flesh, was the only man who was born of a virgin and lived without sin. He later died on the cross in payment of the punishment we deserved, But God the Father raised Jesus from the dead on the third day as He told us He would do. (This is God’s proof to every one of us that He loves us and that He has power over everything – even death.)
Jesus Christ paid the whole price for the consequences we deserve and God now offers each of us the gift of life. His gift is NOT for sale – you can’t buy it by doing good things or by being baptized or by going to church or by “walking the aisle,” and there is NOTHING that you have ever done – including murder, or having had immoral relationships, or anything else that will keep Him from giving you the gift…NOTHING…nothing, that is, except one thing: refuse His free gift!
For you to accept the gift: acknowledge to God that you’re a sinner, like Adam. Admit to Him all the wrong things you have done. Tell God you’re sorry, and mean it with all your heart. Tell Him that you now purpose not to do those things you know displease Him. Acknowledge that Jesus paid your price for you and ask Him to forgive you and to be the one in charge of your life now. When you do this, He will forgive you and He will come into your life and He will change you. And, you’ll know it. ( Romans 5:8,10, 10:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:1-8 )
FINALLY, find a church that preaches and teaches the Bible and strives to live out its principles so you can learn how to live the new way.
