Saving
Faith
Entering
into a relationship with God comes through the exercise of faith. A relationship
with God does not naturally exist for each person who is born or who has been
baptized or grown up in a religious family or joined a church. Just believing
that God is there and talking to Him does not mean you are reconciled to Him or
that you have a relationship with Him. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth
and the life. No man comes to the Father but through me." (John 14:6) It is
through faith in Jesus Christ that a person comes to God the Father to receive
forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Jesus words" I am the resurrection
and the life. He who believes in me though he were dead yet shall he live and
whoever lives and believes in me shall never die." confirm this.
How does
one believe in Jesus Christ?
First it
means believing certain facts about Him. He describes Himself as God's only
begotten Son (John 3:16). This is a claim to deity. He also makes the statement
in John 10:30 that He and the Father are one. Believing in Jesus Christ starts
with a wholehearted conviction that Christ is God come in human flesh. Jesus
Christ is both fully man and fully God.
Second, you
must believe that God sent His Son into the world for the
purpose which he has declared: "God so loved the world, that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him will should not perish. But have
everlasting life." Christ came to die upon the cross as the perfect
sacrifice for human sin. His death satisfies all the demands of God's holy law.
He takes the punishment that is due those who break God's law.
Third, you
must put your trust in Him to save you from the judgment that is rightfully
yours since you have broken God's laws. (For all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God" Romans 3:23). This means turning from all you know to be
displeasing to Him and putting all your confidence in Him. It means that you no
longer trust in your good works or church membership or family background to
earn you eternal life. This trusting involves the realization that eternal life
cannot be bought or earned but is a gift that is received through the act of
trusting in Christ alone. It is a throwing of your self upon Him for His mercy.
It is a surrendering to His Lordship and a yielding of your life up to Him.
How do I
pray to trust in Christ?
God is not
impressed with human eloquence. Speak to Him simply and tell Him you want Christ
to rescue you from the penalty and the power of your past and present sin.
Confess your sins to Him. Tell Him you are grieved not only because they have
made you feel bad but also because they are against Him. Tell Him the thought of
them nauseates you like rancid garbage. Tell Him you want not only His
forgiveness but that you want to be clean. Express to the Lord your own
inability to save your self or change your sinful life. Ask Him to save you, to
rescue you, to deliver you. Then trust God to hear and answer your prayer
because of Jesus and the promises that have been made in the Bible.
Here are
several promises, Jesus said "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me
shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst… All that the
Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means
cast out." John 6:35
"Whosoever
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. "Acts 2:21.
Jesus told a
story about a man who received forgiveness from God: …the tax-collector
standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote
upon his chest saying, " God be merciful to me a sinner." I tell you
this man went down to his house right with God…" Luke 18: 13-14.
"Look
unto me and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is no
other." Isaiah 45:22
As you trust
in Him He will begin to give you an assurance of your new standing in Him and
you will become aware of His new life in you. Please let us know if you have
trusted in Him or need help!
What to
do next
- Get your
self a Bible and start to read. The book of John is a good place to start.
It is here that you will begin to learn about and experience God.
- If you
have a friend who is a Christian tell him or her what has happened. Ask them
to steer you to a church, which believes the Bible to be God's Word and
teaches the good news of salvation through Christ alone. You will find
others who will love you and help you in your new life's journey.
