Step one
God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life–abundant and eternal.
The Bible says…
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Step two
The Problem: Our Separation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice.
We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.
The Bible says…
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our Attempts to Reach God
People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God…
The Bible says…
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
Step three
God’s Bridge: The Cross
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.
The Bible says…
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ.
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Step four
Our Response: Receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.
The Bible says…
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Where are you?
Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?
Here is how you can receive Christ:
1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
How to Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness. I believe that You are the Son of God and that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sin and walk in a completely new way, with You as my guide. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.
If you prayed this prayer,
The Bible says…
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed... through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
For if you live by the flesh, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ.
Your next step is baptism! Check out our baptism information page if you have any questions or to register for our next baptism!
Be sure to attend First Step if you haven't already to learn a little more about New Horizon Church.
Finally, connect with others who are new Christians while growing your faith by joining one of our Discipleship Essentials small groups.