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* life's greatest decision *
The life of Christ calls for a decision. Was He just a great teacher and spiritual
leader? Or was He who He claimed to be — the Son of God who has the power to
forgive sin and grant everlasting life to all who will believe on Him? Jesus said, “I am
the way and the truth and the life.” 1 Life has only two roads, and we are on one of
them. One leads to death and eternal punishment—the other to everlasting life.
Jesus Christ taught that every person will exist for eternity. The apostle Paul wrote to
the Roman Christians: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 2 He also taught that being saved from sin’s penalty is
simple: “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.” 3
We all know in our hearts that we have sinned. Even if we have never read a Bible or
do not understand what it means to sin against God we can know we are sinners,
because God created each of us with a conscience. We know what we don’t want
others to do to us. We don’t want them to steal our possessions, lie about us or be
unkind to us. When we do to someone what we don’t want done to us, our conscience
lets us know we have done wrong. The penalty for sin is death. That is why all people
die. But 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ, the holy Son of God, became a man. For 33
years He lived without sin. Then He was killed. He paid the penalty for sin without
committing the crime. So death had no power over Him. After three days, He came
back to life again. He is alive! And now He offers forgiveness of sin and the gift of
everlasting life to everyone who will ask Him.
You can receive Christ as your Savior right now, this moment! You don’t have to be
in a church or special place, or have the help of a minister or priest. You can pray
now, wherever you are. God is listening. Tell Him in your own words that you are
sorry for your sins and that you want to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
Ask God to help you change your heart and life. It’s your prayer He wants to hear.
You can pray the following prayer, but it is not enough just to say the words. You
must mean it from your heart:
“God, I know I have sinned. I believe Your Son, Jesus
Christ, died to take the punishment for my sin. I believe
Jesus came back to life from death and has the power to
forgive my sin and change my life. Forgive me. Come into
my life and change me. I want to live for You and follow
Your plan for my life. I believe You have forgiven me, and
I thank You for hearing my prayer, in Jesus’ name.”
God has forgiven you if you prayed this prayer and meant it from your heart. God
knew before you were born that you would receive His Son as your Savior. Now you
can begin the life He has planned for you! Step by step God will lead you to what He
has chosen for you. He will show you the way to live and will teach you each day as
you grow spiritually and become the person He planned for you to be.
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1 John 14:6 (New International Version of the Bible)
2 Romans 6:23 (New International Version of the Bible)
3 Romans 10:9,10 (New International Version of the Bible)
DJ NOBLE