We are all sinners... and sin separates us from God. No matter how much we do, we cannot change the fact that we are sinners on our own. Unfortunately, the reward for being in sin is death. That is the only payment that satisfies. That's all we are worthy of in and of ourselves. We need a Savior. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 6:23)

For this reason, Jesus (who is the Son of God!) came to be that Savior for us. Even though we created the problem with our sin, the grace and mercy of Jesus restores anyone who will receive Him as Lord and Savior of their lives. It doesn't matter what you've done, where you've been, or who you've been... Those things don't have to define you anymore! Jesus came and lived a perfect life, which made Him the perfect sacrifice, and he paid OUR debt. Why? Because you couldn't and He's that good. He loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. Now, He offers us the opportunity to share what He paid for... our freedom and a reconnection to the Father (God).

(John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 1:9, John 14:6)

This is Good News (Gospel) in short, Jesus paid a price for us that we couldn't because He loves us and desires to be connected to us in an active relationship that is more than a one-time-prayer. It's a relationship.

Do you want to know Him?

Romans 10:9-10 - "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

Step One:

This means, that if you accept what Jesus has done for you and want to become a beneficiary of His grace, you need only call out to Him in prayer and ask Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life, truly believing that He came, lived, died, and rose again (Not just hoping that happened, believing!). Believing this in your heart justifies you, and professing your new-found belief out-loud brings your salvation.

Step Two:

Now, that you have chosen to believe and have asked Jesus into your life, your next step is crucial. Jesus offers salvation, but he also asks for something in return. If you have accepted the Good News of Step One, He asks you to then "deny yourself" daily (Matt 16:24). This means, from here on you are allowed to have your opinions, emotions, and even your own goals. However, if you want Christ it requires bringing all of that, including yourself, under submission to Christ. For example: you can have your opinions, but they are now to be second to Christ's opinions (about everything). You can have your desires, but they are to be submitted and be second to what He desires. Remember, if you want Christ, he is LORD and Savior, not just Savior.

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