Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14, emphasis added
Has Christ Jesus made you His own? Maybe you’ve been reading these posts and found them interesting, even compelling, but somehow you realize I’m writing about a relationship you don’t have. Perhaps your heart is beating out of your chest right now and you are thinking, “How did she know that?” I assure you, I’m writing to no one in particular but sharing a message from a God who knows you personally.
We all mess up – remember my story from earlier this week? The Bible says we all sin (Romans 3:23). Sin is the word for all those times when we put ourselves ahead of God, when we miss the mark of obedience to Him. We ALL sin … every one of us. There’s a price for sin, a steep price – death (Romans 6:23). We deserve to die for the sin our lives, that’s what we’ve earned. But God (my two favorite words, by the way) … But God loves us. He created us in His image (Genesis 1:26) to have relationship with Him. And because He longs for that relationship with us, because He loves us, He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him – in spite of our sin! His Son, Jesus Christ is that way, in fact, He is the only way to relationship with God (John 14:6). Jesus who is fully God became fully man, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified, died, and was raised again. Jesus died so we could live … Jesus lives now so we can live eternally.
Have you felt that weight in your chest? That sense of awareness that something is missing, that there’s something more? Dear friend … the Holy Spirit is drawing You near. Because God loves you. Today, right now, you can find that truth, that inexplicable peace of knowing Christ Jesus has made you His own.
The Bible says this in Romans 10:9
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
That’s it … Confess that Jesus is Lord – that He is God’s Son, born human, crucified and risen again. Believe that His resurrection is the payment for our sin – that it’s not about what we do but what He has done. Confess and believe .. and the Bible says you will be saved.
If you are reading right now and you know that you need Christ, will you pray this prayer. It’s not magic words or a formula to get God’s attention, it’s simply an expression of where you are and what you understand.
Father God, I’m a sinner. And I need a Savior. I want the relationship with You that You created me to have. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God come to save this broken world and I realize I need the salvation that He has brought. I want to live for You today and with You for eternity. I can’t do enough or be enough to earn this … but Your Son is enough and through Him I desire forgiveness and relationship with you. Thank You for making the way. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Welcome to the family! The Bible says that you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). I encourage you to share this decision with someone … and then find a Bible-believing church where you can grow in your relationship with Christ. Will you let me know if you have made this decision today so that I can pray with you and for you? I’d love to celebrate with you the freedom we have in knowing Christ and encourage you as you begin this new walk with Him. You can leave a comment or email me at info {at} terilynneu {dot} com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maybe you are already a believer but you know someone who isn’t … will you share the message of hope we have in Christ Jesus, because He has made us His own? I know this post is longer than normal and isn’t what I normally do … but it’s so important that we share the gospel of salvation. Will you join me in praying for opportunities to share and for lives to be changed … not by my words or by yours but by The Word Made Flesh (John 1:14)?
Praying with you!
Thank you, Ingrid!