The Bridge...
Step 1 - God's Love and His plan
God created us in His own image to be His friend and to experience a full life assured of his love, abundant and eternal.
Since God planned for us to have peace and abundant life right now, why are most people not having this experience?
Step 2 -Our Problem: Separation from God
He did not make us robots to automatically love and obey him, but he gave us a will and a freedom of choice.
We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
(Romans 3:23)
On our own, there's no way we can attain the perfection needed to bridge the gap to God. Through the ages, individuals have tried many ways...without success.
Good works won't do it...or religion...or money...or morality...or philosophy...
Not only are we separated from God and not experiencing His plan of abundance, but our separation comes with a price. The gap between us and God is death.
"For the wages of sin is death.."
(Romans 6:23)
Step 3 - God's Remedy: The Cross
Luckily Romans 6:23 doesn't end with sin's consequences.
"..but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin and bridging the gap between God and people.
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God..."
(I Peter 3:18)
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
(Romans 5:8)
Step 4 - Our Response
Believing means trust and commitment - acknowledging our sinfulness, trusting Christ's forgiveness and letting Him control our life. Eternal, abundant life is a gift for us to receive.
"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 tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
(John 5:24)
Is there any reason why you shouldn't cross over to God's side and be certain of eternal life?
How to receive Christ:
Admit your need (I am a sinner).
Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit (Receive Him as Lord and Savior of your life).
What to pray:
Dear Lord Jesus,
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 sins. I now invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as the Lord and Savior of my life.
In Your name. Amen.