I’d gone to church all my life, and always tried to be a good kid. But it wasn’t until high school that I began to realize that all my "clean living" was not impressive to God. In fact, the standard that GOD uses to measure people, I discovered, was absolute perfection (Romans 3:23)... and I knew I didn’t qualify for that! (those little white lies, for example).
When I read James 2:10 in the Bible, I discovered for the first time that no matter how "good" I was, I couldn’t undo the sins that I had committed, any one of which would be enough to disqualify me from heaven. And Ephesians 2:8-9 said that salvation was a gift that God had offered (but I had never accepted). In the same way that a man doesn’t own a birthday present given to him until he accepts, or receives it, I had to accept God’s gift of Salvation, on His terms, if I were to own it.
His terms are simple:
1) Repent. (Mark 1:15) That means to turn away from your sin and self-ruled life, and give God control of your life.
2) Believe. Believe that Jesus lived a sinless life, died to pay for YOUR sin, and then rose from the dead. Believe His promise, that if you ask Him to come into your heart, He will! (John 3:16)
3) Be baptized. This is the first thing a Christian does. Why? First, because God said to do it (Acts 2:38). Second, to show the world that the "old you" is gone, and the "new you" is different—with Jesus in charge (2 Thes 5:17).
"Wait a minute. You mean it’s THAT SIMPLE?" Seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, check it out for yourself. Or, if you like, give me a call or drop me an e-mail, and I’ll be happy to share with you some of the wonderful things God has done for me. Remember, though, this is the story of what God CAN do. It may not be for you, unless heaven is your goal.
Living the Christian Life
If you repent and believe, God will put in your heart a desire to obey His Word. Obedience to God doesn’t save you, but is the evidence that your FAITH has saved you (John 3:36). You needn’t worry that you won’t have the strength or discipline to live the Christian life. You don’t have to impress me, or your pastor, or anybody else. God can see your heart, and He knows you perfectly. Just yield to His Spirit, and you’ll find it easy to live for Him (Jesus Himself said so in Matt. 11:28-30)
Begin to read the Bible, and to pray
It’s hard to have a relationship with someone you don’t know very well. Spending a few minutes with God every day will foster and grow your relationship with Him.
God designed the Christian Life to be lived together, not alone (Heb 10:24-25). We need each other! If you don’t have a church family, I speak in churches all over Nebraska, and I can recommend several.
Find a church—and go.
God designed the Christian Life to be lived together, not alone (Heb 10:24-25). We need each other! If you don’t have a church family, I speak in churches all over Nebraska, and I can recommend several.
Best Wishes, my friend... I’ll be praying for you!
—Dennis Applegarth