It seems as though we all have questions.
Some people wonder if God exists. Others
question what will happen to them after they
die. Still others are searching out the
meaning of life. Many more live their
lives without any understanding of why they are
here on earth. We all have questions, but
only God has the answers we need.You
see, the Bible teaches that God has an amazing
plan for each person's life - a plan that
includes abundant life, hope, joy, peace, and
purpose. In fact, God created you to live
in a love relationship with Him forever.
The Bible tells of the extent of God's love for
each person in John 3:16, "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." God loves you and
desires to have a relationship with you so much
that He chose to give up His only Son so that
you might know Him.
You may be wondering why you feel so
isolated from God if He loves you and desires a
relationship with you. The answer is
simple - sin. Sin is what isolates us from
God. Sin is nothing less than rebellion
against God, and it prevents us from an eternal
relationship with Him. You see, God is
perfect and we are not. The
Bible teaches us that none of us have lived up
to God's perfect standard by reminding us in
Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God." Our imperfection,
that is our sin, has tremendous consequences.
Not only does it separate us from God but it
also results in death. The Bible teaches
in Romans 6:23 that "the wages of [our] sin is
death." Our sin is the source of all our
problems.
But if God requires perfection and no one
is perfect, how then can anyone have a
relationship with God? Again, the answer
is simple - forgiveness. The statement
that no one is perfect is only partially true.
There is One who was perfect - God's only Son
Jesus Christ. Jesus was absolutely
perfect, absolutely without sin. Despite
being sinless, Jesus Christ paid the penalty for
every person's sin by dying on the cross.
In fact, the Bible teaches in 1 Peter 3:18 that
Jesus "died for sins once for all, the righteous
for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
You see, the only way that our relationship with
God can be restored is for our sins to be
forgiven. This is the very reason that
Jesus died on the cross. His death made it
possible for you to be forgiven, but...you have
to ask for it!
Eternal life and a personal relationship
with the Creator of the universe can be a
reality for you now and forever. The Bible
teaches us in John 10:10 that Jesus came to give
us the most incredible and abundant life
possible. In fact, John 1:12 says that "to
all who received Him [meaning Jesus], to those
who have believed in His name He gave the right
to become children of God." The ability to
have the life you have always wanted and to have
a relationship with the God who holds all the
answers to the questions of your life is within
your reach right now!
Beginning your relationship with God is
actually quite simple. First you must
admit that you have sinned and that you are
willing to turn away from your sin and to God.
Second, you must believe that Jesus died for
your sins and rose again from the dead.
Third, you must confess your belief in Jesus
Christ. If you are willing to do these
three things to begin your relationship with
God, then simply pray this prayer to God.
"God, I now admit that I
am a sinner. I believe that You sent
Jesus, who died on the cross and rose from the
dead paying the penalty for my sins. I am
asking that You forgive me of my sin and I
receive Your gift of eternal life. It is
in Jesus' name that I ask for this gift.
Amen."
I
f
you just prayed this prayer with all your heart,
the Bible teaches that you have just begun your
relationship with God! At Cornerstone we
would love to celebrate with you. Please
do us a favor and fill out the form for prayer
so that we can pray for you.
Click here for the
prayer form