 AND
NOW... A FREE GIFT FROM THE HELPLINE
» Right now you might be saying, "What free gift??"
It's the gift of "salvation" - but what
is salvation? First, let's see what salvation is not.
Salvation
is not the same thing as "religion."
» Did you know that God hates religion?
That's right - when you have a girlfriend or boyfriend
(or you get married), do you want a "religious experience"
with that person, or do you want a relationship with them?
You want a relationship, of course! The same holds true with
God - He just wants a one-on-one relationship with you, like
you would have with a friend. The difference is, there's no way
to "earn" this gift of a relationship with God, because
it's free. In fact, the Bible says that it is "by grace
you have been saved through faith... it is the gift of God, not
of works, so that no one can boast," (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Do
you remember when you were younger? At Christmas when your mom or
dad gave you Christmas gifts, did you have to pay for them? Of course
not. The same holds true with God.
» But what if you're already a "good person"?
Maybe you already believe in God, haven't killed
anyone, and all that? Why should you care about salvation? First
of all, there's no such thing as a "good person." God
says in Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God." We are all separated from God by sin - until
we ask Jesus into our hearts. Secondly, it isn't enough to just
believe there is a God. Jesus said that unless you are "born
again," you cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Being
"born again" means more than just believing that Jesus
Christ/God exists - it means asking Jesus into your heart by faith,
totally relying on what He did on the cross for you. He has forgiven
all of your sins.
» So you think that you've done some "horrible"
things?
You're a "bad person"? You might be thinking
that there's no way God could forgive you. The truth is, God says
in John 6:37 that anyone who comes to Him will not be cast
out! Remember that if you could save yourself (by being "good,"
or becoming a church member, or even by being water-baptized), there
would have been no point in Jesus dying on the cross. He died because
there is no way you can save yourself.
» "So what now?"
To receive God's free gift of salvation, you just
need to ask Him for it. Pray this prayer - based on Romans 10:9,
10 in the Bible:
"Jesus, I confess that I need You. My
own works are not good enough. I have sinned, and I need to receive
this free gift. I confess you as Lord, and believe in my heart that
God raised you from the dead. Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy
Spirit; guide me to a Bible-believing church; and help me to read
your Word. Thank you for dying for me."
» You are now a born again Christian.
Remember, you're not "religious." Instead,
you have a personal, one-on-one relationship with God. You can think
of God the Father as your "spiritual dad" (remember He
is a good Father). Think of God the Son (Jesus) as your Lord
and Savior - as your "best friend." Think of God the Spirit
(the Holy Spirit) as the Spirit of God that lives in you. Think
about it - God actually wants to live "in you"!
If anyone ever comes to you and asks if you're sure
that you're going to Heaven, you can say "yes," because
of what Jesus did on the cross! Think about this verse from the
Bible, found in 2 Corinthians 5:17. "Therefore if anyone is
in Christ, He is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold,
all things have become new." Now you can live not by how you
"feel," but by who God says you are. God says you
are now His son or daughter (Galatians 3:26, 27)!
» God is waiting, and He loves YOU!
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