Steps to Peace with God

God loves you, and He wants you to live in peace with Him and to receive eternal life.  The Bible says, “…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16) and “…the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23b).  Since God planned for us to be at peace with Him and to have eternal life, why are many people not enjoying this experience?

God did not make us robots to mindlessly love and obey Him.  Instead, He gave us a will and freedom of choice.  But, like Adam, we often choose to disobey God and go our own selfish ways (see the Book of Genesis, chapters 2-3).  This side of our nature is called sin, and it separates us from God.  The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23), “So [after Adam sinned] the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden…” (Genesis 3:23a), and “…your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).

Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem of separation from God.  He died on the cross and rose from the grave to pay the penalty for our sin – completely bridging the gap between us and God.  God has provided the only way…and we must make the choice.  The Bible says “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8), “Salvation is found in now one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word [Jesus] 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).

We can receive Jesus Christ when we believe in His message and trust in Him alone to save us.  “[Jesus said] Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me” (John 14:1).  The Bible goes on to say that “All the prophets testify about Him that every one who believes in Him [Jesus Christ] receives forgiveness of sins through His name” (Acts 10:43) and “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

How to Receive Christ:

  1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
  2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
  3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
  4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (receive Him as your Savior).

A suggested prayer to help can be “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am sinful and I need Your forgiveness.  I believe that You died to pay the penalty for my sin.  I want to turn from my sin nature and follow You instead.  I invite You to come into my heart and life.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen”

If you sincerely prayed this prayer and asked Jesus Christ to come into your life, you are born into God’s family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every believer…this is called regeneration or “new birth.”  God wants you to grow in Him by reading what He has to say to you in His Word (the Bible) and by being a part of a local church body of believers around you.  The Crossing Church is here for just that reason.  Please feel free to contact us at TCC if we can be of any further assistance.  Our doors are always open to you.  May God bless you today!

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

(Steps to Peace with God has been adapted from ATStracts.org)