HOW TO KNOW GOD PERSONALLY
- RECOGNIZE YOUR CONDITION AS A SINNER.
In order to find the way to eternal life with God, I must admit I am lost in sin. Romans 5:12 teaches us that since Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on earth, a sin nature has been present in all people. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Sin is any act contrary to God’s laws and commandments, and those sins that I have committed separate me from God. Sin has a penalty. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The “wage” or payment for our sin is spiritual death, and eternal separation from God.
- RELIGION AND DOING GOOD DEEDS ARE NOT ENOUGH.
Religions try to create their own ways to God. Their systems may seem logical, but they cannot bridge the gap created by our sin. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” In other words, our thoughts and ways are not what matter. God’s Word, the Bible, provides true answers of grace and forgiveness. In Ephesians 2:8–9 the Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
- JESUS CHRIST PROVIDED THE WAY TO KNOW GOD!
Even though we were lost and separated from God, He loved us, and because He is love, God sent His Son to die on the Cross and rise from the dead three days later. John 3:16 explains “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, He became the payment for our sin.
Now, we do not have to pay for our sin ourselves. By His grace, salvation is provided. In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, “But God commendeth [meaning proved or demonstrated] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
- BELIEVE AND ACCEPT CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR.
In order to know and have a relationship with God and an eternal home in Heaven, we must stop trusting ourselves, our works, and our religions, and place our full trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sin and eternal life. In Roman 10:13 the Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This is a promise directly from God! The good new is that if you will pray to God, confess that you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive your sins, and turn to Him alone to be your Savior – He promises to save you from the penalty of sin that is deserved and give you the free gift of eternal life. You can make that decision today by praying from your heart, something like this:
Dear God,
I know that I am a sinner and that I am separated from you because of sin. I confess that in my sin, I cannot save myself and fix this situation. Right now, I turn to you and ask you to be my personal Savior. I ask you to save me from the penalty of my sin, and I trust you to provide eternal life for me in Heaven.
—Amen
You’ll never regret the decision to accept Jesus as your Savior! God’s gift of salvation is the only way to truly know God personally. If you have just trusted Christ, I would love to know about your decision and pray for you as you grow in your new relationship with God!
Let me know by email: penny@pennygibbs.com