THE STEPS TO LIFE
Why not check out the following introductory Steps to Life…
Step 1: God’s Plan
Step 2: Man’s Problem
Step 3: God’s Remedy
Step 4: Man’s Response
Receiving Jesus
Prayer
In all of life there is nothing more wonderful than discovering peace with God
STEP 1: to this discovery is Realising GOD’S PLAN
God has provided for us a wonderful way of Peace and Life
THE BIBLE SAYS…
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:9, 10)
WHY IS IT THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE NOT FOUND GOD’S PLAN?
STEP 2: is acknowledging MAN’S PROBLEM, his separation from God.
God created man in HIS own image and gave him an abundant life. He did not make him as a robot to automatically love and obey Him, but gave him a will and freedom of choice.
Man chose to disobey God and go his own way. Man still makes this choice today. This results in Separation from God.
The Bible says that…MAN HAS SINNED…
“For all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
and that…
“For the wages of sin is death (Separation from God), but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Man through the ages has tried to bridge the gap in many ways without success.
There is only one remedy for this problem of separation…
STEP 3: is recognising GOD’S REMEDY
…THE CROSS.
We are condemned to death because of our sin, but God sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die on the Cross in our place.
Through His death, Jesus bridged the gulf of sin that separates us from God. This is why we need to put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. By doing this we can know and experience God’s forgiveness, peace and life.
THE BIBLE SAYS…
“…God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
“For it is by the grace (ie God’s gift of the Lord Jesus) that you have been saved, through faith; and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of the things we do, so that no man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)
GOD HAS PROVIDED THE ONLY WAY…
WE MUST MAKE THE CHOICE…
STEP 4: MAN’S RESPONSE
We must receive Christ as Lord of our life by personal invitation.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT…
“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)
Which side best represents your life?
Which side would you like to represent your life?
The following explains what is involved in
RECEIVING JESUS CHRIST AS LORD OF YOUR LIFE
In the Bible when people came to Christ it involved a four fold response. This was a total commitment that indicated a person’s complete acceptance of, and willingness to be identified with Christ.
Following this example you need to respond to God’s love by…
- “Believing that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and that He rose from the grave.” (Hebrews 11:6; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4)
- “Turning from your sins (repenting) and living for God.” (Acts 3:19; 2 Peter 3:9)
- “Confessing to (telling) others that you truly believe in Jesus Christ.” (Romans 10:9, 10; 1 Timothy 6:12)
- “Being Baptised.” (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)
Then it is our JOY to continue to live a life of obedience under the Lordship and authority of Christ in response to His love. (John 14:21)
With this understanding, through prayer you can become a Christian by inviting the Lord Jesus Christ to come in and control your life. As you indicate your willingness to repent and obey His commands, He will come into your life through the Holy Spirit giving you His peace, purpose and forgiveness.
Here is a suggestion –
WHAT TO PRAY
Dear Lord,
I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sin. I now invite You to come into my heart as my Lord and Saviour. I want to obey Your commands in response to Your love and to live my new life in the fellowship of Your church.
AMEN
Could you say this prayer to God and mean it? If so, pray this prayer right now and surrender your life to Christ.
Did you pray this prayer?
Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life?
Where is He right now? What do you have?
“He who has the Son has LIFE; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have ETERNAL life.” (1 John 5:12, 13)
Now that Christ has come into your life you need to continue to show your love for Him. You might ask how?
Firstly by telling your family and friends that you’ve become a Christian (Romans 10:9, 10)
Secondly, by being Baptised (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
Thirdly, by finding regular fellowship in a local Bible believing and practicing church (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
Fourthly, by growing in your love relationship with Jesus.
a) By Praying (Philippians 4:6,7)
b) By reading God’s Word (Joshua 1:8)
c) By obeying Christ (John 14:21)
(Begin your Bible readings in Mark’s Gospel, then the Book of Acts, then to the Gospel of John)
Did you pray to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour? If you did we would love to know about it so that we can resource you in your new found faith…
Please don’t hesitate to contact us by emailing info@sonlife.com.au
Original Steps to Life written by John R Bond
Scripture quotations in this publication are from the Holy Bible, The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
For hard copies of this publication contact:
Sonlife Ministries Inc.
PO BOX 1075
Bentley DC 6983
Australia
Phone +61 8 9313 1600
Fax +61 8 9313 1604