God's Word says that He knew from the beginning the trouble we would get into. And He knew that we would not be able to get ourselves out of it. So God promised to come down here personally to save us – not only to rescue us from the trouble of this world, but to completely restore us to a rightful place with Him, forever.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
It's not that we loved God, but that He first loved us and gave Himself for us. Picture it like this: A locomotive is speeding straight toward you. You are sitting right there on the tracks. The train is about to obliterate you, but you don't see it coming. God sees it – and He steps out in front of it, laying Himself down across the tracks, destroying the deadly train and saving you.
Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ, the One whom God has sent into the world, that the world may know the truth and come to Him. Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father … I and the Father are One." John 14:9 and 10:30
Jesus is the One whom Moses wrote about, saying, "Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One." Deuteronomy 6:4
The apostle Paul writes this of Jesus: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Colossians 1:15
And John, the beloved disciple, testifies: "In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God … The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father …" John 1:1 and 14
When Jesus was here, He fed us and healed us with miracle after miracle, that we would believe Him. So great is His love for us that He wept over us, longing to gather us to Himself … if only we would make room in our hearts and come to Him. Ultimately, He shed His own blood for us.
Now from His Kingdom, Jesus still stands ready to save and heal and restore, calling to us: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in …" Revelation 3:20
God promises that everyone who calls on His Name will be saved. His Name is Jesus Christ. If you have not yet asked Jesus to come into your heart, you can ask Him today – right now. Don't wait another day. Come to Him while you hear Him. He is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart. Say this prayer and believe that He hears you because it is His will, and He is answering right now:
"Lord Jesus … Today I have heard that You are Lord, and that You gave Yourself to save me. I know now that I need You and I can't make it without You. Forgive me for having my back turned on You all this time. I did not know Who You were! But now, by my own free will, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. You died on the cross for me and took away all my sins. I believe that God raised You back to life on the third day, and that You are alive right now. And now You are giving me eternal life with You. Jesus, come into my heart, take control of my life, and make all things new in me. Thank You!"
Now if you have just prayed this prayer, Jesus has come into your heart and is alive in you right now. You have God's eternal promise that He will never leave you nor forsake you all the days of your life; no one can ever snatch you out of His hand, nor separate you from His love.
Important Next Steps
As a new Christian, is it important to tell someone what has just happened to you. This is an extremely joyous event; you cannot see or hear it right now, but all of Heaven is rejoicing over you. Like a new birth here on earth, you are now born into Heaven for all time, and your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life forever. Please click here on Connect and let us know – we are waiting to hear from you!
There is more to come! Continue reading the next two chapters here to learn about the amazing second half of what God has given you – His Holy Spirit (the power of God to live the new life that He has given you now as His new creation), and His Kingdom (your new forever home in Heaven which He has prepared for you).
Then click on Building Faith. Many scriptures by topic, helpful links, and even the Bible online are provided there to help you grow in your newfound faith in Jesus Christ, day by day.
Our faith grows stronger as we keep company with other believers. God made us this way. Just as a single little coal cannot keep warm all by itself, but glows brightly when brought into the fire, so we keep each other on fire for God. We pray and worship together, and we help each other in the Word of God. Within our new church family, we have the extraordinary opportunity to learn and practice receiving and extending God's love, which is quite different from the love that we learn in the world. If you live here in the Bay Area, we invite you to come on in to Big God Ministries. We welcome you with open arms!
Salvation is the greatest thing that can ever happen to a person, because the effects are eternal. If you discovered a remarkable new restaurant, you would probably want to tell someone about it the moment you got back home. You might even text them from the restaurant. How much more exciting is the Good News of Jesus Christ! That God Who made the entire universe loves you and opened up the way for you so that you can come to Him personally. Completely loved and totally forgiven, you are set free to walk with Him in His power, both now and forever. The old has gone, and the new has come!
