So, you're not a Christian, huh?
So you aren't a Christian? That's 100%...ok. Yes, I said it was ok. You don't have to be a Christian in order to leave a prayer request. We pray for everyone. However, if you are not a Christian, on behalf of our Conviction Notice team, we would like to share Him with you...
You've probably heard the Christmas stories about Jesus' birth and at sometime, you may have even attended a Christmas play at a local church or something. Did you know that the stories you were told actually happened? That there actually was a man, Jesus Christ, who was born from the virgin Mary, who grew up as a Nazarene, then was condemned by man, and hung on a cross to die for your sins? Not just that He died for yours, but He died for the sins of the entire world? Oh, and one more thing, this man, this Jesus, is the Son of God.
WHO IS JESUS?
The Prince of Peace… The Word made man… Savior and Lord… The King of Kings… The Lion of Judah… The Lamb of God
When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his followers, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They answered, “Some say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah, and still others say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Then Jesus asked them, “And who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because no person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am.” (Matthew 16:13-17, NCV)
THE PROBLEM: Holy God and sinful man.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
"The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
The word “sin” is used in a lot of ways, but the essential meaning and result of sin is separation from God, since it involves pride -- man thinking more highly of his own ways than God’s. Without Jesus, His sacrifice and resurrection, connecting to God is not possible because of sin. We all have sinned, the results of which are death and an eternity separated from God. Since God is Holy, there can be no imperfection in His presence.
But death was not God’s plan for us. Abundant and eternal life (John 10:10) is what Jesus came to bring.
Why? Because even though man was broken and earth given over to evil, God never stopped loving us. Romans 5:8 says, "But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
THE RE-CONNECTION TO GOD
Nothing but Jesus could have permanently fixed the problem – it was a gap that could not be bridged. Your best work just can’t get you to Heaven. Even if you could somehow achieve a score of 99 out of 100 in life, you’d still need a sacrificial savior to make up the difference and pay off your debt. That’s the difference between Grace and the Law. James 2:10 says, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all."
However, “God saved you by His special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). You can’t earn a gift – it's an unmerited favor. You do, however, have to make the choice to accept it.
So, we all, as sinners, have to turn to God for forgiveness of sin, and trust that Jesus died to give us new life that we may be born again (John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23).
Faith is the key. It’s the cause and effect of our hope for salvation. If there is truly “no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), then your acceptance of God’s gift, your admission that you are a sinner, your repentance (changing of your mind), and your faith in the real-but-unseen Lord is all that can bring eternal and abundant life.
If knowing about Jesus has stirred your heart to hear even more, receive forgiveness for your sins, renew your Christian walk, or get involved in ministry, you may pray the following prayer.
"Lord God, thank you for loving me enough to send your one and only Son to die for me. I know I am a sinner, and that Jesus was crucified and raised to life to pay a debt I was unable to pay, in order that I may live with You forever. I want to turn from my way of life and follow Jesus. I invite Jesus into my heart as the Lord of my life. Thank you, Father, for giving me new life in the name of Jesus. Amen!"
-Adapted from Dr. Charles Stanley
What’s the next step? Connect with other Christians, learn more, find a church, and pray, pray, pray! If you need to talk with someone, contact us at [email protected]. If you have any questions or anything, we would love to talk to you some more about Jesus Christ.
