Accepting Jesus
God sent Jesus to us so that we would realize that we are living in sin. We may not sin ALL the time, but we do ALL sin at some point in our lives! It states in the Bible that the wages of sin is DEATH! (Romans 6:23). I know I don't want to die in Sin, for those who die in sin, go to a place called Hell. But those who accept Jesus into their lives will live for eternity with him in Heaven!
Some of you may be saying, but I'm not a bad person. I sit in church on Sunday morning, I give to the local charities, I don't break the law. I help out when asked. Surely all the good I do will get me into heaven. But the Bible says that it is by grace you have been saved, (or will be saved) through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Doing good is only an added bonus in the whole scheme of things. You must accept Jesus as your personal savior and know and understand that he DIED for YOU. For your sins and transgressions, if you want to make it to heaven.
So HOW can you accept Jesus into your life?
First, you need to repent. You need to confess that you are a sinner...that you have sinned. That's the hardest part for most people to understand. It doesn't matter how big or how small you have sinned -- you are still a sinner in God's eyes. So before you can accept Jesus as your savior, you need to acknowledge your sin.
Jesus said, "I tell you that there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7) There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."(Luke 15:10). How awesome is that concept! Jesus cares about you so much! Just think of the angels rejoicing over YOU! If you accept Jesus, all of heaven will be praising God, for your life.
Second, you must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter:1-3) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.(Romans 8:11).
Third, you must accept that Jesus died for YOU. He died for your sins. He died so that you may live life more abundantly! He died so that, in the end days, you will be raised up with him, to live forever with him!
If you confess that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved! For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:9-13)
If you believe that you are a sinner and that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, then you need to pray and confess it to God. The prayer must come from your heart. When you pray, you basically need to talk to God like you would your best friend. You don't have to have fancy words or long drawn out sentences, just talk normal to him...he'll understand and accept your prayer. We are providing you with a sample of what your prayer could be to Jesus. You may use this prayer to accept Jesus, or you may just speak your own to him.
"Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. Lord, please forgive me of my sins. Your Word says that you have cast our sins as far as the east is to the west. Lord, I'm believing your Word and know that you have forgiven me my sins. Thank you for dying on the cross for me, Jesus. Thank you for shedding your blood so that I can live eternally with you. I believe, Lord, that God raised you from the dead, and I accept you as my personal savior. Lord, come into my heart. Come into my heart, Jesus. Amen."
