“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.”
—John 3:16
God didn’t send His only Son to die for perfect people.
Have you ever thought about that?
Jesus didn’t give His life for holy, special people.
Not for people who always tell the truth, who are never petty or jealous. Who have never stolen or cheated or even killed.
Jesus died on the cross for sinners.
Imperfect people who disobey God’s will, break His commandments, and often think and act selfishly.
Why would God send His only Son to die, for lowly sinners like us?
Jesus came so we could receive forgiveness and pardon for all we’d done or will do. Our Creator’s love for us is so great that He wants to save us from the ugliness of our own sin and give us a future in Heaven with Him.
This kind of sacrificial love is more than we deserve,
and grander than we can ever hope to understand.
Because of Jesus, we can experience peace with God the Father. When Jesus gave His life for us on the cross, He laid the foundation for each of us to be empowered by the Holy Spirit — to live fully in the freedom only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can give.
Are you weary in spirit? Searching for meaning in temporary things, or temporary relationships? God wants more than this emptiness for you, and He sent Jesus to prove it.
A life of faith has its challenges, and following Jesus means turning away from worldly things, and trusting in the Lord.
Accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior is the first step in that process, and that part is simple. God wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to hear from you in prayer. He wants you to read His Holy Word, the Bible, and to seek fellowship with other believers at church, online, or in your neighborhood coffee shop.
If you’re ready to invite Jesus into your heart, here’s how:
Admit to God that you are a sinner.
Repent, turning away from your sin.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
—Romans 3:23
Believe that Jesus is God's Son.
Accept God's gift of forgiveness from sin.
“While we were sinners, Christ died for us.”
—Romans 5:8
Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
“If you will confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
—Romans 10:9
A Prayer for Asking Jesus Into Your Heart
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Amen.
WHAT NOW?
If you just asked Jesus into your heart, welcome. Jesus loved you even before you invited Him into your heart, He has known you since before you were born, and He has a plan for your life.
Asking Jesus into your heart is the first step in a lifelong journey of faith. Knowing Jesus doesn’t mean everything in your life will suddenly be easy; faith in God doesn’t give us a wishing well. Faith in God means we have an incredible Creator to place our trust in, and a steadfast hope for all eternity, because the Lord has prepared a place for us in Heaven.
It’s a lot to take in, right?
The conversation you just had with Jesus isn’t a stopping point. It’s only the beginning! Here are a few next steps you might consider as you get to know God better, and grow in your faith.
1. Find a faith community near you. Search online for “churches near me,” or ask a friend, colleague, or neighbor for recommendations. You can be a Christian without going to church, but spending time with other believers who are looking at life from a new perspective, trying a Bible study, or worshipping with others who love Jesus are all awesome experiences.
2. Explore the Christian faith online. We publish the Kerusso Daily Devo every weekday – bite-sized stories that share fun personal stories, meaningful moments in history, and wisdom from the Bible. Learn More >>
3. Ask for prayer. As a Christian company, Kerusso believes in the power of prayer. Members of our team meet on a regular basis to pray, and we would be honored to pray for you. Request Prayer >>
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
—1 John 5:14
4. Read the Bible. You can download a free copy of the Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer here. The Bible is a guidebook for how to think, how to act, and how to live. There is no test at the end — it is wisdom from the Lord, written for us, His children.
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Whether you’re reading this post as a brand-new believer, you are finding your way back to the Lord after trying to go it alone, or you have known and loved Jesus for as long as you can remember — God bless you today.
Jesus loves you so much He died for you! He wants to know you even better, and He has a plan for your life.
