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God's Love
God created us because He loves us and wants to have a personal relationship with us.
The biblical writer David said,"For you [God] created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well" (Psalm 139:13-14).
God promises new life to those who live in fellowship with Him—a life of freedom and purpose as we walk with Him.
Our Sin
Sadly, our lives have been spoiled by sin. Our rebellion against God has separated us so we cannot know Him or experience His plans for our lives. The Bible explains:
"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one" (Romans 3:10-12).
Our sin causes our spiritual death, where a personal relationship with a holy God is impossible. As a result, we walk in darkness—blind to our true identity, purpose, and significance. We often try to create some purpose and value for ourselves—through fortune, fame, relationships, or power—but none of these things provides lasting fulfillment, so we stumble in darkness.
God’s Mercy
The penalty of sin is death, but God’s love for us is so great He offered up His Son Jesus Christ as a penalty for our sin. The Bible says:
“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).
Jesus died on the cross in our place. But Jesus did not stay in the grave. He rose from the grave—proving that He alone has power over death and the darkness of our sin. Jesus further declared that He alone can restore us to God. “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).
Our Response
We are invited to experience new life in Christ—to be rescued out of our darkness and into His light—but we cannot earn our salvation. The Bible makes this clear:
“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).
Salvation is a gift from God. There is only one way to receive this gift:“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).
To receive the gift of salvation, we must take these steps:
* I acknowledge I am a sinner, living in darkness apart from God and in need of a savior
* I am sorry for my sin, and I am powerless to earn God’s forgiveness
* I believe that Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for my sin by dying in my place, and He now lives as the risen Savior
* I receive Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, and I accept God’s forgiveness for my sin
Would you like to walk out of the darkness of sin and into the light of Christ? If so, we invite you to pray a prayer like the one below. Prayer is simply talking with God, so the words you pray are not as important as the attitude of your heart.
Dear God, I know that I have been walking in the darkness of my sin. I want to get out of that darkness and experience Your light. Thank You for loving me and for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for my sin. I invite Jesus to come into my life now, to be my personal Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sin. Please show me how You want me to live, and give me the power to live that way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God sent his Holy Spirit to live within you and help you in your walk with God
You became a new person inside—your spirit is now alive in Christ!
You have been set free from the penalty of sin!
God has given you power over sin, so you need no longer walk in darkness
You have become a child of God and a member of God's family, the Church
As you embark on your new relationship with Christ, we encourage you to take several “first steps” that will help you grow as a follower of Christ.
Spend time daily in God’s Word—the Bible. God will use His Word to teach you more about Himself and His will for your life. We suggest you begin with the Gospel of John, and always ask God to give you understanding as you read.
Get involved in a local church, where you can grow in your knowledge of the Bible and enjoy the friendship and support of other Christians.
Spend time daily in prayer. Again, prayer is simply talking with God—and He delights in meeting with you! Express your love to God. Ask him to make you aware of your sins so you can ask for forgiveness. Ask for strength to live as you should. Thank Him for His work in your life.
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