Beginning Your Own Journey

The whole assurance I have that God will answer my request is rooted first and foremost in my own personal relationship with Him. If I did not have this very real, very personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as my Savior, those Bible promises I write of would not be meant for me; the only prayer God can hear from someone who is not His child is the prayer for salvation. I have the same confidence that my sins are forgiven and that someday I will have a home in heaven as I do that my sophomores will soon meet Tim Tebow. How can I be so sure, because I choose to take God at His Word when he says if I confess my sins and call on the name of Jesus making Him Lord of my life, He will send His Spirit to live in me and give me a home in heaven someday. You too, can have that confidence, how?

First, realize God does love you, no matter what you have done.
John 3:16 states, "For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth shall not perish but have everlasting life."

Second, you are not alone. Every person who is living or has ever lived has sinned. Our sins, no matter how great or small have eternally separated us from the Holy God Who created us.
Romans 3:23 says, "ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

Third, sin does have a price, it must be paid for. I tell my students often that someone will pay for the wrong that we do. It is up to us to determine who will pay for them. What is the price that must be paid? Eternal separation from God in a very real place called Hell. Either we choose to pay that price with our own lives when we die, or we accept the gift that God gave us in Jesus' death on the cross. By choosing to let Jesus' blood and death be our substitute payment for sin, we can have a home in heaven some day.
Romans 6:23 say, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Fourth, realize the price for our sin has already been paid though Jesus' death on a cross. Jesus re-established our relationship with God by shedding His blood...God's required payment for sin...on a cross for us. Jesus endured our separation from the Father for us. He became our payment by dieing on the cross. We never have to face a spiritual death because Jesus conquered that too when He rose from the grave three days after His death. The payment has been paid, we do not have to pay for our sins ourselves, we can accept the payment Jesus offers up on our behalf.
Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth His love toward us that in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"

So what's left for you to do? Repent of your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you, trust Him for your home in heaven some day. These don't have to be fancy words, just ones expressed from a sincere heart. In calling on Jesus, acknowledge your sin, acknowledge your need and desire of Someone to pay the price for you. Believe that He died for you and that God raised Him up again. The Bible promises if you believe these things, God will save you.
Romans 10:9,13 says, "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus  and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved...For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Now you know the truth, what are you going to do with it? Will you insist on paying the price for your sin yourself, or will you reach out to Jesus and let Him be your payment?

The Bible says to "confess with your mouth". It is always good to tell someone of the decision you made, it will help you be more accountable for it. While you certainly don't have to make that public confession here, it could be an encouragement to others that they are not alone in making this decision. I would love for you to post a comment of your salvation experience as encouragement and so that other believers can pray for you as you begin your own journey with our Heavenly Father.