I would like to tell you how to receive a free gift more precious than diamonds or gold. This gift is true love, joy, peace and life beyond the grave. This gift is described in the Bible as a wonderfully mysterious gift that goes far beyond anything we have ever received. When unwrapped, it gives peace of mind, acceptance, forgiveness, adoption into the family of heaven, and everlasting life.
This gift is a spiritual package called salvation and the Bible calls it "the gift of God" (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9). This gift of salvation comes not by merit but by mercy, not by trying but by trusting, and not by working but by resting. "By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Our Creator gave us the gift of choice. Knowing that love must be voluntary to be meaningful, He gave us the freedom to accept or reject Him. Our first parents chose to walk away from Him. Their actions brought misery, pain, sickness and death into the world. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)... "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
God could have left us in our sin, bearing the weight of guilt that separates us from Him. Instead He revealed a plan of rescue whereby an innocent victim would die on behalf of the guilty. Jesus Christ, who is God in human form, came to take the death penalty for our sins so that we may be forgiven. (John 1:29; Hebrews 10:5-10).
Jewish prophets predicted a Messiah who would deliver his people from their sin (Isaiah 53; Daniel 9:26). When He arrived, the Gospel writers tell us Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, and gave hope to the oppressed. Jesus told his disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). He himself claimed to be the only way to the Father and the source of eternal truth and life. He silently bore the slanderer of critics, and voluntarily died at the hands of Roman executioners. Then, three days later Jesus walked out of a guarded tomb(Luke 24:1-7). His death and resurrection made a new an everlasting covenant between God and humanity.
The apostle Paul wrote, "By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul also described the difference between Adam, who spread sin and death to all his descendents, and Christ, who brought grace and life to all who trust Him. So he wrote, "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense (Adam's sin) many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many" (Romans 5:15).
The way to God is through personal faith in Jesus Christ. Remember, God only comes where He is invited. He knocks gently at the door of our hearts, waiting for us to welcome Him into our lives (John 1:12). "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
If you are still wondering whether to open your heart to the offer of God's gift of salvation, you're not alone. You may think you have to lead a good life and do good deeds before God will love you. Many think this offer is too good to be true, some are afraid to be obligated by an eternal debt of gratitude and love.
Yet the decision to receive the gift of salvation is yours. The apostle John wrote, "He came to His own, and His and did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:11-12)
If you are ready to receive the greatest of all gifts, the openness of your heart is what God is looking for. When you receive Christ into your heart you become a child of God, and have the privilege of talking to Him in prayer at anytime about anything. The Christian life is a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ. And best of all, it is a relationship that will last for all eternity.
If you're ready, you can ask Him into your life right now by praying:
Dear Lord,
I believe that eternal life is a free gift purchased for me by Jesus Christ when He died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I know I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness. I want to turn away from my sins. I now invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for hearing my prayer and giving me your gift of eternal life. Amen.
If you decided to accept God's offer of the perfect gift and you put your faith in Christ, God promises not only to forgive you, but also to receive you into His family.
After you are saved, here are things to practice for spiritual growth:
1. Pray Daily.....you talk to God.
2. Study God's Word Daily ....God talks to you.
3. Find a Bible-preaching church to attend and invite a friend.
4. Be a Witness for God.....spread the good news!
5. You should be baptized in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ as a
public testimony of your salvation.
Welcome to the Family of God! God's Blessings to you and yours!
If you have questions or need more information, please e-mail us at
jjjpastor2003@yahoo.com or write to:
Rev. Joseph Johnson, Jr.
830 Keefer Road
Girard, Ohio 44420
