The decision to accept Jesus as your Savior is the most important one you'll ever make.
When we say "Follow Jesus", we mean that we have accepted Jesus as our Savior. We want to let Him lead us in our daily life and learn to be more like Him. As we follow Jesus we are able to move forward in our lives as a new creation in Him because He has taken care of our past and guides us in our present.
*WHY WOULD GOD CARE ABOUT ME?
God loves you. He chose you and has a plan for your life. He desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
*If God loves me so much, why does he feel so far away?
All of us were created with a desire to be loved, valued, and accepted. This desire was meant to be filled by a relationship with God, who offers us unconditional love and forgiveness. But sin, the things we do and think that fall short of God's will, separates us from a loving relationship with God. When we choose to selfishly go our own way and pursue temporary highs and pleasures, we create an impassable gap between us and God. Our sinful natures cause us to turn our back on God and seek love and approval from other sources. Sin has a way of killing our relationships, our joy, and our closeness with God.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24
*CAN I GET ON GOD’S GOOD SIDE BY BECOMING A BETTER PERSON?
We try to reconcile with God by being good people or by following religious rules, but no human effort can make us good enough to fix our separation from God. Still, God deeply loves us and desires for us to cross this gap and be in a relationship with Him.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
*IF MY ACTIONS WILL NEVER MAKE ME GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD, WHAT WILL?
Because God loves us so much, He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to bridge that gap between us and God. There is no other way for us to get to God than through a relationship with Jesus. Jesus was fully God and fully human, yet He had no sin. We deserved death for our sins, but Jesus willingly laid down His life and, three days later, rose from the dead. In His death and resurrection, His life paid the price for our sin, once and for all.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
*HOW DO I BEGIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS?
Forgiveness of our sins is a free gift from God when we accept Jesus as the one who saved us. Because Jesus took the punishment for us, we can have a fresh start, a clean slate, and a new life. We can’t earn forgiveness and we don’t deserve this gift of grace and forgiveness, but He chooses to give it to us freely.
That you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
*IF YOU WANT TO BEGIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN TALK TO HIM AS YOU WOULD A FRIEND. HERE’S AN EXAMPLE:
“Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner and I can’t reach You on my own. I believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty for my sins and then rose from the dead. I accept Your free gift of forgiveness and salvation, and I invite You to be the leader of my life. I’m turning away from doing things my own way. Please help me live my life according to Your way. Thank You for your grace and forgiveness and for giving me the gift of a new life in You. Amen.”
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; He has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24
CONGRATULATIONS!
When you choose to follow Jesus, you are born into God’s family and given the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit, which guides you and reveals God’s truth, now lives in you. You have a new relationship with God and a new future. All of Heaven is rejoicing, and we are too! Welcome to God’s family.
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
We would love to celebrate with you and give you some resources to help you get started in your relationship with Jesus! Let us know by clicking the link below!
*WHAT'S NEXT?
Deciding to follow Jesus is more than just a one-time prayer. It’s a lifelong journey of getting to know God and growing deeper in your faith. If your heart and spirit have changed, your outward actions, ambitions, and priorities will follow.
Here are some important things to help you take your next step with Jesus...
- Tell someone you have begun to follow Jesus!
INCLUDING US!
I've decided to Follow Jesus! - Begin reading the Bible to start growing in your faith and understanding. Start with one of the books found in the New Testament about the life of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
- Check out Daily Steps, a simple weekly devotional with short daily scripture readings and prayer prompts
- Talk with God in prayer throughout your day.
- Attend one of our weekly worship services on a regular basis.
- Get Baptized!
- Participate in our Discovery Classes.
- Get connected in a Community Group or Gathering!
- Connect with our Church Online community!
- Reach out to us if we can support, encourage, talk or answer ANY questions you may have!