Have you met Jesus? Most likely you have heard of Him, but did you know you can get to know Him personally?

You don’t have to look very closely at our world today, at the injustice, violence, and despair, to know that something is wrong. Our world is terribly broken. But this brokenness is more than just a political or social problem. It is a spiritual one. This dysfunction was not God’s original design for the world He created. It is sin, wrongdoing, that has put this chasm between what God intended and what our world experiences today.

Each one of us also is broken and imperfect. We are separated from a relationship with the God who created us. And all the good intentions we have or therapy that we might access to bring wholeness to our lives is inadequate because our separation from God is also a sin issue.

God is holy and wants no part of sin. He knows sin causes bondage and death. Nothing we can do, no matter how good, can make us right with God and pay the penalty for our sins. We can’t save ourselves. But God had a plan to bridge that gap between us and Him. He sent His son, Jesus, to become a human being, like us – except that He lived a perfect life, without sin. He then took the penalty of sin on Himself by dying in our place and being raised from the dead, making a way for us to have eternal life in heaven. In heaven there will be none of the effects of sin – no sickness, no death, no tears – just pure joy.

The Bible, God’s Word, says, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

This gift of salvation paid for by Jesus is free to us, but we need to accept this gift. God will not force us to take it. By accepting this gift, we can be restored to the relationship with God that He intends and wants for us.

Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” 

If you would like to be forgiven for your sin and start a relationship with Jesus, pray a prayer similar to this:

Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I know my sin deserves to be punished. I believe that You died for me on the cross and rose from the grave to take the punishment I deserved. I ask You now to please forgive me so that I can have eternal life with You. I trust You and choose to follow You. In Your name I pray, amen.

If you prayed that prayer,  find a church filled with other people who believe in God’s Word, the Bible. You can see if there's an Open Bible Church in your area by searching HERE.

Study the Bible as much as you can, especially the book of John, so you can learn more about Jesus. You can access a Bible app by going to https://www.bible.com