HOW TO KNOW GOD

ADMIT YOUR SPIRITUAL NEED 

We are all sinners....people don't always like that title. The one word that defines all sin is the Greek word "harmatia" which means "to miss the mark." 

What is God's mark? Jesus said, "Be perfect as My Father in heaven is perfect." Unless a person is perfect, he has missed the mark; therefore, he is a sinner. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything, even something small? Have you ever been angry with another person? Romans 3:23 states "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

THE RESULT OF SIN 

In Romans 6:23 we read "The wages of sin is death..." Every one of us has missed God's mark. Every one of us falls short of being perfect. We are getting only what we deserve, and we are bringing judgment upon ourselves. One thing we need to remember is that God never sends anyone to hell. We send ourselves there by rejecting His truth.

THE SOLUTION 

Since we can never measure up to God's standards on our own, God has reached out to man. 

We cannot solve the problem of sin, but God, who is perfect, can and has. He has become a bridge for us. John 3:16-17 states "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." 

In Romans 5:8 we read, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

AN IMPORTANT DECISION 

If a person acknowledges that he is a sinner, and he accepts the promise that Christ is the solution, he is at a crossroads. Either the person must reject God's solution and accept the consequences, or he must accept Jesus Christ as his Savior. 

What must a person do to accept this gift? Simply receive it! 

Matthew 11:28-30 states "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me...for My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

HIS INVITATION IS CLEAR 

We must come to Him. All that remains is a response. In Romans 6:23 we read "...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." What do we have to do to receive that gift? Take it! 

Revelation 3:20 states "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me."

Jesus stands at the door of your heart and knocks, seeking entrance into our lives. John 1:12 states "For as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God."

NOW WHAT? 

Your decision to receive Christ also means that you are now going to Heaven one day. That's a lot to be thankful for! 

You need to take some practical steps to grow strong spiritually: read the Bible, pray, and go to church. 

We at Anderson Island Christian Fellowship would like to hear from you, and we'll send you some materials to help you grow in your relationship with Christ.