|
The Next Step
We are glad that you have read through “The Story of Jesus.” That tells us that you have an interest in learning more about him and the kind of life he has in store for you.
Jesus talks about being “born again” in chapter three where he tells Nicodemus, “This is how God loved the world: he gave us his one and only son so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life and not really die.” Ever since that day some two thousand years ago, countless men, women, and children around the world have accepted this statement as true. They have believed what Jesus taught about himself and what he did on the cross. Their lives have been dramatically changed. In one place Jesus calls it moving “from the realm of death into life” (chap. 5).
We encourage you to reflect on the amazing fact that you were made to know God and live in relationship with him. As long as you were living the way you wanted to, that relationship was not possible. Sin separated you from God.
Jesus took the first step to heal that breach when on the cross he died for our sins—both yours and mine. The penalty has been paid. All that remains is for you to accept God’s forgiveness. You can do that right now. May we suggest that you read carefully through the following prayer and if it expresses your deepest desire then make it your own. It will be helpful to pray it out loud.
“Dear God, I thank you for the gift of your son and the promise of eternal life through faith in him. I do believe that Christ Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that he rose again. I take him now as the Lord of my life and thank you for forgiveness and a new life in Christ. Amen.”
If you have prayed this prayer from your heart, you may be certain that right now you have become a child of God. A supernatural change has taken place in your life. Nothing will ever be the same.
Several things need to happen as soon as possible. Becoming a Christian is but the first step in your new life with Christ. It is important that you do not try to walk the path by yourself. You need to find other like-minded believers who will encourage you, and you in turn can encourage. Look for a church that believes and preaches the Bible, so when you leave a meeting you will know for sure that you have been in God’s presence.
Read the Bible on a regular basis. Now that you have read the story of Jesus as told by his good friend, John, you might like to read the same story as told by another friend of Jesus, a man named “Mark.” You can also read all about the early church in a book called “Acts.”
Talk to Jesus every day and listen to what he has to say to you. This is called “prayer.”
To help you in your new life we have written a twelve week study on the basic issues facing a new believer. It is available free of cost at www.BiblicalTraining.org/newbelievers. We are sure you will find it helpful.
Our prayers are with you as you set out on this exciting journey, which ends in heaven with God and Jesus Christ our Savior.
|