LIFE—who can make sense of it?
Have you ever felt that there must be more to life than what you’re experiencing?
Are you just ‘living your life daily?’
These Questions and Answers can lead you to a new life!
It may answer some of your deepest questions about life and its meaning.
I'm really not into religion. In fact—I don't even like it.
Excellent! Right off the bat, you and Jesus Christ have something in common. Jesus didn't like religion either. I don't want to talk to you about religion; I want to tell you about Christianity.
What is Christianity?
Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship. A relationship with Jesus Christ.
What's the difference?
Religious groups tend to try and make you follow a set of man-made rules. Rules that not even God makes you follow. Religious organizations try to make you fit into their own “special” mold. They try to make you into the kind of person that they think you should be, instead of the kind of person God wants you to be. Sadly, very often, they will actually turn a person away from God instead of helping them find God and draw close to Him.
And Christianity doesn't?
No it doesn't, because Christianity isn't a religion. It's a relationship with Jesus Christ. A relationship that comes from accepting Him as your personal Savior, and just coming to know Him and love Him above all else. It's not a bunch of man-made 'don'ts' (“don't do this” or “don't do that”). Christianity centers more on the 'do's.'
For example: Mark 12:30-31—
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.
When you “do” these things, you won't have to worry about the “don'ts,” because they will take care of themselves.
When you “do” these things, you won't have to worry about the “don'ts,” because they will take care of themselves.
What do you mean by ‘accepting Jesus Christ'?
When we say accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, that means telling Him that you believe He is the Son of God, who died for your sins and rose from the dead. It also means to make Him your Lord (the person you've surrendered control of your life to).
Why do I need Jesus Christ?
Because without Jesus your life will never take on meaning and purpose. But most importantly, without accepting Jesus Christ you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
So—without believing in Jesus Christ I can't get into heaven?
That's right, because you can't get into heaven by self-effort. You can't get to heaven by being good—you need faith in Jesus Christ to get you there.
Galatians 2:16—
“…knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law (good deeds) but by faith in Jesus Christ…for by the works of the law no person shall be justified (go to heaven).”
But I'm a good person!
Maybe by man's standards, but not by God's standards.
What does the Bible says about that?
Romans 3:23—
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”;
Isaiah 64:6—
“Our good deeds are like filthy rags before God.”
Psalm 14:3—
“There is not one who does any good, not even one.”
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”;
Isaiah 64:6—
“Our good deeds are like filthy rags before God.”
Psalm 14:3—
“There is not one who does any good, not even one.”
I always thought I just had to be good to get into heaven. That's not true?
Unlike what most people think, when you die God doesn't take all your good deeds and bad deeds and weigh them on some kind of spiritual scale; and if your good deeds outweigh the bad, you get into heaven. On the contrary, God said that to get into heaven you have to be perfect, sinless.
Really? How is that even possible? Perfect?
It's not possible in and of ourselves. Jesus stepped up as the perfect, sinless way to save us and grant access to God.
He bridges the gap between sinful man and a holy God.
The Bible says Jesus is our advocate. Our lawyer. And one day when we stand before God we don't stand there on our own account, or deeds or merits. Instead God looks at us through Jesus.
He bridges the gap between sinful man and a holy God.
The Bible says Jesus is our advocate. Our lawyer. And one day when we stand before God we don't stand there on our own account, or deeds or merits. Instead God looks at us through Jesus.
I've tried to get to know God. Have I done it wrong?
Man's attempt to have a relationship with God apart from The One Who makes it possible for us to draw near to Him all fail.
Perhaps we try through religion, or man's philosophy, or we've tried to be"good". But that puts "self" front and center.
Jesus said, "I am The Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to The Father except through Me."
So, that puts Jesus front and center into this conversation.
Perhaps we try through religion, or man's philosophy, or we've tried to be"good". But that puts "self" front and center.
Jesus said, "I am The Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to The Father except through Me."
So, that puts Jesus front and center into this conversation.
Let's illustrate this...
MAN'S ATTEMPT TO REACH GOD
GOD'S WAY TO REACH MANKIND
There is only one way to approach a Holy God...
Matthew 19:26—
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
We can't live a perfect life, but Jesus did. We couldn't die to pay for our own sins, so Jesus died for us. All that God requires from you is to put your faith in His Son, who loves you and gave His life for you.
2 Corinthians 5:21—
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” and;
John 3:36—
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
That is why you are saved through your faith in Jesus Christ and not by your good works.
Matthew 19:26—
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
We can't live a perfect life, but Jesus did. We couldn't die to pay for our own sins, so Jesus died for us. All that God requires from you is to put your faith in His Son, who loves you and gave His life for you.
2 Corinthians 5:21—
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” and;
John 3:36—
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
That is why you are saved through your faith in Jesus Christ and not by your good works.
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
We can't live a perfect life, but Jesus did. We couldn't die to pay for our own sins, so Jesus died for us. All that God requires from you is to put your faith in His Son, who loves you and gave His life for you.
2 Corinthians 5:21—
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” and;
John 3:36—
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
That is why you are saved through your faith in Jesus Christ and not by your good works.
Matthew 19:26—
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
We can't live a perfect life, but Jesus did. We couldn't die to pay for our own sins, so Jesus died for us. All that God requires from you is to put your faith in His Son, who loves you and gave His life for you.
2 Corinthians 5:21—
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” and;
John 3:36—
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
That is why you are saved through your faith in Jesus Christ and not by your good works.
So, all I have to do to get into heaven is to accept Jesus as my Savior and Lord?
That's right. Paul writes:
Romans 10:9—
“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.”
Romans 10:9—
“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.”
I can't believe it. It's too easy!
Isaiah 53:5-6—
“But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him (Jesus) the guilt and sins of us all.”
Jesus made a way for us. Through His life, death and resurrection. That's how much He loves us. We need only receive, accept and believe it.
“But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him (Jesus) the guilt and sins of us all.”
Jesus made a way for us. Through His life, death and resurrection. That's how much He loves us. We need only receive, accept and believe it.
It was because of His great love...
John 3:16—
“For God so loved the world (you) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish (in hell) but have everlasting life (in heaven).”
Romans 5:8—
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
“For God so loved the world (you) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish (in hell) but have everlasting life (in heaven).”
Romans 5:8—
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
So what do I need to do?
ADMIT that you are a sinner
Romans 3:10—"There is none righteous, no not one."
Romans 6:23—"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
BELIEVE Jesus is Lord and that He died for your sins
Romans 10:9—If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
CONFESS and call upon His name.
Romans 14:11—"For it is written: "As I live, says The Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will confess to God."
Romans 10:13—"For whoever calls upon The Lord shall be saved."
Romans 3:10—"There is none righteous, no not one."
Romans 6:23—"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
BELIEVE Jesus is Lord and that He died for your sins
Romans 10:9—If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
CONFESS and call upon His name.
Romans 14:11—"For it is written: "As I live, says The Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will confess to God."
Romans 10:13—"For whoever calls upon The Lord shall be saved."
Are you sure He wants to help me?
Positive. Jesus said:
Matthew 11:28—
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
The Bible says:
Psalm 147:3-4—
“He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds.
And God also said:
Psalm 50:15—
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”
Matthew 11:28—
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
The Bible says:
Psalm 147:3-4—
“He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds.
And God also said:
Psalm 50:15—
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”
All right. I'm ready. What's next?
First of all, the Bible says that you must repent. This means that you're sincerely and honestly sorry for all the sins of your life. It also means that you truly desire to turn away from your sins and to live for God from this moment on.
Then pray this prayer and mean it sincerely with all your heart.
“Dear Lord Jesus, I am truly sorry for all the sins of my life; please forgive me. I accept You, Jesus, as my Lord and Savior. I believe that You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I ask You to come into my life and into my heart.
Give me the strength, Lord, to live for You, loving You above all else. Thank You, Jesus, for giving me a new life. I ask all of this in Your precious name, Amen.”
I prayed. Am I a child of God now?
John 1:12—
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”
2 Corinthians 5:17—
"Therefore if any man (or woman) be in Christ, he (or she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
That's right! You are a brand new creation, and all your sins have been swept away. A clean slate. From this moment on, you are a child of God.
As a child of God, look to Him each day for the strength to live for Jesus Christ from now on. The old life is now gone, from this moment on you are to live a new life in Christ.
As a new believer in Christ the Bible says, “And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. (1 Peter 4:2-3)
Begin to read the Bible everyday to be nourished and strengthened spiritually. (We suggest the Gospel of John).
Talk with the Lord in prayer as much as possible, He always loves to hear from His children. Ask God to help you find a Bible-teaching Christian church, and attend regularly.
With The Spirit of God living in you, your eyes will be open to wondrous things, and He will help you to understand things more clearly... But you're not alone!
May the Lord fill you with His love, may He bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you and give you peace.
Colossians 1:9-12—
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”
2 Corinthians 5:17—
"Therefore if any man (or woman) be in Christ, he (or she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
That's right! You are a brand new creation, and all your sins have been swept away. A clean slate. From this moment on, you are a child of God.
As a child of God, look to Him each day for the strength to live for Jesus Christ from now on. The old life is now gone, from this moment on you are to live a new life in Christ.
As a new believer in Christ the Bible says, “And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. (1 Peter 4:2-3)
Begin to read the Bible everyday to be nourished and strengthened spiritually. (We suggest the Gospel of John).
Talk with the Lord in prayer as much as possible, He always loves to hear from His children. Ask God to help you find a Bible-teaching Christian church, and attend regularly.
With The Spirit of God living in you, your eyes will be open to wondrous things, and He will help you to understand things more clearly... But you're not alone!
May the Lord fill you with His love, may He bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you and give you peace.
Colossians 1:9-12—
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
Get plugged in!
If you prayed this prayer and desire to draw closer to God, we would love to hear from you, and give you a Bible and disciple you in a walk with Him. Please contact us at: (847) 895-3545, or by email at info@ccelkgrove.com or complete our Next Steps Form below.
Even if you can't attend our fellowship, it's really important that you get plugged into a bible-teaching Church that leans on The Word of God, but it would be our privilege to speak with you.
May God richly bless you as you seek to know Him more, day by day.
Even if you can't attend our fellowship, it's really important that you get plugged into a bible-teaching Church that leans on The Word of God, but it would be our privilege to speak with you.
May God richly bless you as you seek to know Him more, day by day.