Being Born
A New Relationship With Jesus
Jim pushed himself from his desk, swiveled his chair toward the window and sighed as he surveyed the city eighteen stories below. He had this feeling he couldn't define. Was it restlessness, boredom, despondency or what? He ought to feel good, he told himself. He had a successful career, good health, acceptable marriage, nice kids, money. The "good life" people called it. So why this vague discontent? Had he missed something?
Yes. He had missed something. Jim had a "good life" but he didn't have an "abundant life". An "abundant life" is what Jesus said He came to give to people. "I have come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly". (John 10:10 KJV). The extra dimensional life that Jesus offers brings true fulfillment, contentment and happiness.
ETERNAL LIFE IS A FREE GIFT
1. How does the Bible describe this life? Romans 6:23, last part
This life is called "eternal life" which comes "through Jesus" and is a "gift of God".
2. Can you get this gift by earning it or deserving it? Ephesians 2:8,9
The Bible says this gift is "not from yourself" and "not by works". In other words, you can't earn it and you don't deserve it. The reason you can't earn it and don't deserve it is because:
PEOPLE ARE SINNERS
3. Has everybody sinned? Romans 3:10, 23
4. What is sin? 1 John 3:4
Not only does the Bible say everybody is a sinner, and therefore a law breaker, it also says we don't know how to do any better! Read Proverbs 14:12
5. What does this verse say about our ability to do what is right? Proverbs 14:12
6. What is the result of being a sinner? Romans 6:23
Sounds hopeless, doesn't it? We're all sinners. We can't change ourselves and the wages of sin is death. This is why God must give us eternal life. Trying to repair or improve an old life won't work. It takes a whole new life to live a truly good life. This is why Jesus said, "You must be born again". (John 3:3,5) And this new birth experience is the gift God wants to give us because He loves us.
GOD IS LOVE
7. How does God feel about the world? John 3:16
God loves sinners but what does sin do to our relationship with Him? Isaiah 59:2
8. Sin separates people from God, but what did God do to save us?
Jesus Christ
God gave His Son, Jesus, to the world.
Who is Jesus?
9. In what form did Jesus come to earth? John 1:1-3,14
Jesus came to earth in the form of a man. Yet, He was more than a man. He was God. John 1:1-3 says that He existed as God before He came to earth.
10. What power did He have? Hebrews 1:2
Jesus is the one who created the world. Do you begin to see why He has such interest in people? It's because He made us and He doesn't want to lose any of us!
What did Jesus do?
11. What did He come to do? Matthew 1:21
12. How did He save people from sin? 1 Peter 2:24 (for further reading, Isaiah 53:6)
Jesus, the Creator-God of this world came to earth to bear our sins and take our death penalty. In exchange, He offers us His perfect and eternal life! What a transaction! What a bargain for sinners!
RECEIVING THE GIFT
13. How can you get this new life? 1 John 5:11-13
These verses say that if you have the Son, you have life.
14. How do you get Him? John 1:12
Receiving and believing Jesus involves head knowledge and heart action. It means that you believe He has a better life for you. You act on that belief by exchanging your way of living for His way of living.
It mans that you ask:
JESUS TO BE YOUR SAVIOUR
Telling him you're sorry for your sins and asking Him to forgive you.
It means that you ask:
JESUS TO BE YOUR LORD
Inviting Him to manage your life so that you can:
BE what He wants you to be,
DO what He wants you to do,
GO where He wants you to go
DOES THIS MAKE SENSE TO YOU?
Look at the whole picture again:
God wants to give you a new, abundant life.
He gives it to you because you don't deserve it and can't earn it on your own.
God gives it to you because He loves you.
He give it to you through His Son, Jesus, who came to earth to bear your sins so you could have His perfect life.
You receive the gift of a new, abundant life by believing in what Jesus did for you and inviting Him into your life as your Saviour and Lord. This is called:
"BEING BORN AGAIN"
Would you like to have this gift of life? If you would, here's how to do it: Talk to God, out loud, and tell Him:
That you want the free gift of eternal life
That you need forgiveness of your sins
That you invite Jesus to come into your life
In the space below, write out what you want to say to God, then use it as the basis for your prayer:
15. When you do this, what are you promised? 1 John 5:11-13 |
