Meet Jesus

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NIV

Good News!

God sent His Son to be born into the world for a divine purpose. Jesus grew up like us yet never sinned. At age 30, He began to teach people about the Kingdom of God. He showed God’s love by healing people of all kinds of diseases and driving out demons. The common people of Israel were amazed by the supernatural works and teachings of Jesus. But many of the things Jesus said exposed the spiritual hypocrisy of the religious leaders of that day.

After 3 years of ministry in Israel, most of the Jewish priests and leaders were extremely jealous and enraged with Jesus. This was because because he emphasized the mercy and love of Father God over man-made religious laws. They refused to believe that Jesus was God’s Son– the Messiah. Jesus was falsely accused by them, beaten and then executed by crucifixion on a wooden cross.

He Gave His Life Willingly

Jesus didn’t resist this crucifixion because His purpose for coming to the earth was to give His pure and holy life as a blood sacrifice for our sin (wrongdoings). Anyone who repents of their sin (turns away from doing wrong) to follow Jesus can be forgiven by God. They are “born again” spiritually through the Holy Spirit and are brought into an intimate relationship with the God who loves them.

A born again believer is saved from the devil’s kingdom of darkness to become a part of God’s Kingdom which is the Kingdom of light. (Ephesians 2:1-10) When we put our faith in Jesus, He cleanses us from all our sin and brings us into right relationship with God, our Father. Just like a baby grows up, we have to grow up in Christ. We become more like our Father as we stay close to Him. God’s Kingdom is not of this world but of Heaven. However, it functions on earth through God’s Spirit who lives in God’s children.

Jesus Is Alive!

Jesus came alive three days after they killed Him and placed Him in a tomb! He spoke to many people personally for a period of 40 days and taught them more about the Kingdom of God. After giving them instructions to wait for the Holy Spirit, He ascended up into the sky and disappeared. He is now in Heaven with God the Father, but God’s Holy Spirit is within those who have given their lives to Jesus. The proof that God’s children will go to Heaven when they die is that Jesus was resurrected (made alive again) and went to Heaven.

Salvation Is Free

No one can earn this salvation. It is a gift from God. There is no other way for a person to be made right with God. Eternal life truly begins when someone places their faith in Jesus. God’s Spirit enters the person who believes in Jesus infusing them with the presence of God. They receive God’s love, light and eternal life inside them. The Holy Spirit connects them to God so that they can have a personal relationship with Him!

Heaven

When a believer’s body dies, their spirit will immediately go to live in Heaven with God forever where there is no evil. And by the way, they get a new Heavenly body! Those who have rejected a relationship with Jesus Christ and His ways will go to a terrible place called hell. But there is no reason why anyone should have to go there. Becoming one with God is not earned, so neither is heaven. It is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Growing Up In Christ

If you know and truly love Jesus, you are no longer sinful in God’s eyes. Our sins have been washed away and we are clean. Our old self is dead and we are a new creation. But we still need to grow up spiritually.

God will help us become more established and secure as we grow, just like a tree planted by a stream. If we pay attention to the Holy Spirit and stay close to Jesus, we can grow up in Him like a child grows up in a loving family.

Like a tree, you will grow more like your Father, God, and produce the fruit of His character. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. There will be troubles in this life because the devil is our enemy and wants us to fail. But God is with us. He is very patient with us as we grow. If you sin again and ask Him for forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive. The Holy Spirit strengthens and protects us as we learn God’s Word and spend time with other believers in Jesus. He helps us carry out God’s purpose for our lives here on earth even in the midst of trials and temptations.

You Can Know Jesus Now

If you want to turn away from your sins and believe in Jesus, you can meet Jesus right now by praying to God in your own words. There is no “magic prayer.” Just talk with God and give Him your life!

If you prayed from your heart, God heard you, forgave you and has accepted you as His child. Welcome to the family of God! Now you can live by the Spirit and have a personal relationship with the God who loves you so extravagantly. Living in the Spirit.