Receiving Christ
Receiving Christ
What does it mean to accept Jesus Christ or “be born again”? This is a very good question that should be adequately dealt with before a person makes the choice to do so or not. Rather than give a simple answer I would like to explore three points with you.
The need: Unless you understand why you need to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will not have a true salvation experience. There is also a danger of partially understanding the need (to avoid hell, for example), but not understanding enough to value and follow through with the choice.
Contrary to many belief systems, humans did not evolve; we did not just happen or fall out of the sky. We were created with a very unique design and purpose. We are primarily spiritual beings that live in this physical world. In our design the Creator did something very incredible. He made it possible for us to have an inner connection with Himself. This connection gives us the ability to have an intimate relationship with Him.
However, this connection was broken and the design was corrupted by the effects of sin. Sin is simply rebellion against God. Sin always separates and destroys. For humans, this disease entered through Adam and Eve’s disobedience. It has been passed down to every human who has ever lived. Romans 3:23 states that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
At this point our need is to be reconnected with our Creator. This is the most basic reason for accepting Jesus Christ. You see if the relationship is not restored, then there is no hope for us to find purpose and meaning for our lives. There is also no hope for eternity. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
God understood that man would be hopeless and unable to restore the relationship, so He, because of His love for us, came in the flesh (Jesus Christ) to pay the penalty for our sin. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
It is imperative that each of us understands that our sin separates us from the living God. He is holy and just. He must punish sin. He has made a way for us to escape, but we must make the choice to put our sin aside and enter back into a relationship with our Creator. It has accurately been said that the greatest thing about heaven is the presence of God and the worst thing about hell is the absence of God.
The cost: When we look at the cost of restoring a relationship with God there are two areas to be considered. First, is God’s cost. He came in the form of man, Jesus, to pay our penalty. This was a huge sacrifice. I would recommend reading the gospel of Mark or John to understand what it cost God. Jesus laid down His life so that each of us could have a new life.
The second thing to be considered is what a restored relationship costs us. We must be willing to become obedient to our Creator once again. This means laying down our own desires to follow Him. Some people say a short prayer, believe they are saved, and then go on with their life. This is not a restored relationship. When a person truly accepts Jesus and has a restored relationship with God, there is a overpowering transforming spirit that comes in and compels us to change areas of our life. The purpose of this is to restore what sin has corrupted. We were not created to participate in sin, but to be conformed into the image of Christ.
Accepting Jesus is an easy thing to do if your hearts desire is to have a restored relationship. However, before you quickly say “yes” or “no,” you must consider the cost. God will change your desires, and ultimately your whole life, if you ask Him to. If you are truly ready for such a change then read the how to section.
The how to: Romans 10:9-10 says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
The first step to salvation is believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth. The following is a short prayer that you can speak out and ask God for salvation.
Lord Jesus, I confess to you that I am a sinner in need of Your salvation. I confess with my mouth that you died for my sins and that you rose from the dead on the third day. I also confess and repent of my sin and ask you to forgive me and restore a right relationship between us. I give You permission to come in to my life and change every area that is not pleasing to You. I ask that You will give me the strength and faith that I need to enter back into this relationship with my Heavenly Father. I thank You for Your sacrifice and ask that You would help me to follow You with a pure heart. In Jesus name, Amen.