At Grace Life Church we understand the importance of a real, personal, and intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We have two important choices to make: to accept Him as our Lord, and to follow Him each day. What does it mean to have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Read on…

1. God loves us and made us to have a relationship with Him.

Christ says, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” – John 10:10
“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

So what went wrong? Why don’t we experience the life and relationship God had planned for us? Answer: We are sinful, not just murderers and thieves, but all of us. Me. You.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23

2. This result of sin is spiritual death, separation from our holy and perfect God.
“The wages of sin is death.” – Romans 6:23
The gulf between us and God is so great that nothing –not even our efforts to be good, our philosophies, or religious traditions – can bring us back to Him.

This is where Christ enters.

3. Christ has paid the price for our sin.
He has become our provision – our bridge across that gulf. We can never make it to God, but He has come to us. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Again, nothing we can do can bring us to God, but Christ alone. He says, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.” – John 14:6

Now that we know what God has done, it’s our turn to act. God wants a real relationship with you, not a forced action, so we are given a choice. (Christ speaking) Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.” – Revelation 3:20

4. We must personally receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God…” – John 1:12

And, recognize that it is through faith that you receive Him, “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is a gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast” – Ephesians 2:8,9

If you desire to make this decision to follow Jesus Christ, tell Him now. He has promised to listen and come into your life. Prayer is just talking with God, and He cares more about your heart than your words, but here is a suggested prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I choose to receive You as my Savior and Lord. I open my life to You and thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me a new life now and eternal life with You. Take control of my life, and make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen”

Making a decision to receive Christ means that you are agreeing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He died on the cross for your sins. But just believing this is not enough. You must repent (admit to and turn away from sins) and trust Christ with your life. This is an act of will, not just an emotional experience.

Now that you have connected with Christ, it’s important to get connected with a body of believers! Click Here

And it must continue to be an act of will as you live with faith in Christ. Spiritual growth results from trusting Jesus Christ more each day and seeking to know Him and live for Him. “The Righteous man shall live by faith.” –Galatians 3:11

Remember the acronym “GROWTH”

G – Go to God in prayer every day

   “Therefore, I want men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands” – 1 Timothy 2:8

R – Read God’s Word every day

    “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” – Acts 17:11

O – Obey God in every moment

     “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” – John 14:21

W – Witness for Christ, in both actions and words

     “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19

     “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” – Acts 20:24

T – Together with other believers, seek God.

      “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 12:24-25

H – Holy Spirit – Allow Him to empower your life and witness

       “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8