„God's love for us was demonstrated by the fact that he sent his only son into the world. Through him, he wanted to give us new life. The special thing about this love is: It was not we who loved God, but he loved us. He sent his Son, who sacrificed himself for us to take away our guilt.“ (1 John 4:9.10, GN)

That's why God has a plan for me. „God loved people so much that he gave his only son. Now everyone who puts his trust in the Son of God will not perish but live forever. God did not send him into the world to condemn people, but to save them.“ ( John 3:16, 17 GN)

Jesus promises: „I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.“ (John 10:10c KÜ)

God offers me great things:

• A meaningful, content-rich life - now
• An eternal life - later

Why is this offer from God so little utilised? What is the reason for a different, painful reality?

From the very beginning, man was called to communion with God. He had a personal relationship with God. He detached himself from God by his own free will. He thought this would make him independent. As a result, the close relationship with God was lost.

The Bible calls this human decision „sin“. It does not matter whether it manifests itself as active rebellion or passive indifference towards God.

SIN SEPARATES FROM GOD

The Bible explains what sin is:

„Your iniquities separate you from your God, and your sins hide his face from you, so that you are not heard.“ (Isaiah 59:2)

„Whoever sins rebels against God.“ (1 John 3:4 GN)

„Every wrong is sin.“ (1 John 5:17 GN)

Many people realise that their lives have no meaning. That's why they endeavour to live a meaningful life. But how? Without God?

But righteous, decent living, world-improving ideas or religious achievements will not bridge the gap between us and God. Sin and its consequences are not eliminated by all these attempts.

What is God's answer to man's endeavours?

With his death, he paid the price for my guilt: „But he is wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement is upon him, that we may have peace, and with his wounds we are healed.“ (Isaiah 53:5)

„Jesus Christ died for them. What's more, he was raised from death. He sits at God's right hand and intercedes for us.“ (Romans 8:34 GN)

Jesus himself says: „I am the way that leads to truth and life. There is no other way to the Father.“ (John 14:6 GN)

God did on his own initiative what is impossible for me: he bridged the abyss that separates me from him. This happened when the Son of God died as a substitute for my sins.

„Jesus Christ and no one else can bring salvation. In all the world God has made known no other name by which we can be saved.“ (Acts 4:12 GN)

Through Jesus we can find a personal relationship with God.

So it is not enough to know this fact. God is waiting for my reaction. It could look like this:

„It is indeed pure grace that you are saved. You yourselves can do nothing but accept with trust what God gives you. You did not earn it by anything you did, for God is not willing that anyone should plead his own merits before him.“ (Ephesians 2:8, 9 GN)

Accepting him means:

• Cohabitation, personal relationship with him.
• Faith and trust in him.

„Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him...“ (Revelation 3:20)

TWO OPTIONS:

My self as the centre of life
My ego is determined. The consequences are, for example A thirst for recognition, doubt, insecurity, guilt, inner turmoil and others.

My life with Jesus Christ in the Centre point
Jesus Christ leads me. The gain consists of, among other things: Peace, certainty, forgiveness, love, new and eternal life.

My answer to the following questions is crucial

• What representation does my life resemble?
• Is it more the circle above or below?
• How do I want my life to be?
• Which circle would you like to see in the future?
• What could prevent me from accepting Christ into my life now?

HOW CAN I ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST INTO MY LIFE?

I can decide in favour of Jesus Christ today, now. It is so easy to talk to Jesus. The Bible calls this „praying“. So my Prayer are:

Can I say yes to this prayer?

I recommend that you read this prayer carefully a second time. Does it correspond to your will? - Remember: My will is the landing place of God in my life. I suggest you pray the prayer out loud now.

Yes, then I want to surrender myself personally to Jesus Christ with these words. He will hear my prayer.

Now, in my prayer, I have invited Jesus Christ into my life. I trust that He will keep His promises for my life:

„I will not turn away anyone who comes to me.“ (John 6:37 GN)

„But if we admit our guilt, we can rely on God to keep his word: He will forgive us our trespasses and remove from us all the guilt we have brought upon ourselves.“ (1 John 1:9 GN)

God's word gives me certainty:
„He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.“ (1 John 5:12))

I have now accepted Jesus Christ into my life. I want to continue on this path with him. I take the promises of God in his word seriously.

My new life is not based on my feelings, but on the fact that God's Word states:

„Whoever belongs to Christ has become a new person. What he used to be is over; something completely new has begun.“ (2 Corinthians 5:17, GN)

The fact is: You have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ. Your prayer of surrender has a new fact created because God and his word are credible. In this context, the following statement is important: Facts are not based on our feelings.Facts are absolutely valid even without feelings. They are independent of my feelings.

For example: It's your birthday on a certain day. But you have absolutely no birthday feelings! The fact is: It's your birthday on this day - even if you don't have any birthday feelings.

You know the multiplication tables. For example: 2 x 2 = 4; or 4 x 4 = 16. The multiplication table is a fact, I don't need to feel that. Feelings are out of place here. Feelings are no yardstick for facts!

Relieved, the engineer realised: „I have given my yes-word to Jesus Christ. I am now a Christian - even without the corresponding feeling. - Unfortunately, my mum never explained this simple principle to me!“

WHAT HAS BECOME NEW OR DIFFERENT IN MY LIFE?

1. Christ has entered my life. (Revelation 3:20; Colossians 1:27)
2. Christ forgives my guilt. (Colossians 1:14; 1 John 1:9)
3. I belong to God - I am his child. (1 John 3:1)
4. My life has a deep meaning as a result. (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15, 17)
5. Christ helps me to follow his instructions. (John 14:15; 15:10, 11)
6. I prepare myself for the covenant with Christ in baptism. (Mark 16:16)
7. Christ gives me eternal life. (1 John 5:12)

Jesus promises: „I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.“ (John 10:10b Kürzinger translation)

LIFE IS GROWTH, STANDING STILL IS REGRESSION.

Therefore:

• I do not look at myself, but at Jesus Christ.
• I rely on God's act of redemption, not on my fluctuating feelings.
• I remain in right connection with my Lord.
• I lead a life of prayer.
• I read the Bible, the Word of God, every day.
• I regularly seek fellowship with like-minded Christians.
• I confess Jesus Christ in my neighbourhood.
• I am preparing for baptism.
• I am looking forward to seeing my Lord again.

You have now started a new life with Jesus Christ. I rejoice with you. I would like to compare your decision with an engagement. An engagement happens in private. After the engagement comes a very beautiful time. You get to know each other better, we grow in love and trust and the new relationship becomes deeper. When the time comes that you want to be together forever, then the wedding takes place. In relation to Jesus Christ, the wedding corresponds to biblical baptism.

„He who believes and is baptised will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.“ (Mark 16:16)

Perhaps you will read my letter a few more times, because I have endeavoured to briefly summarise the core of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ here. {/sliders}

HOW CAN I GET TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST BETTER?

Just as we can get to know every absent person. Through conversations (phone calls). That's what we call „prayer“ in this case. By reading about him. It is highly recommended to read the gospels in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) They show us the life of Jesus. This gives a good overview. It is also very inspiring to do a 14-day test with the Bible. In addition, a thematic Bible study is recommended in order to delve deeper. There are free Bible correspondence courses for this in all countries (see recommendations).

Now, of course, it is about enjoying this new relationship of trust with God through Jesus Christ and cultivating it. Jesus Christ gives us a decisive help for this: life in the power of God.

Jesus desires a constant and cordial relationship with you. He says: „Abide in me and I in you“. (John 15:4)