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In fact, the very reason God created us is so that we might know him personally. But to many people God seems very far away, distant, and impersonal. Obviously there is a problem... The Bible teaches that God loves you - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16 And God wants you to know him personally - "Now this is eternal life, that men may know Him, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent." John 17:3. But man is separated from God and His love - "God is on one side and all the people on the other side." 1 Timothy 2:5a. The Bible says man's sins have separated him from God - "Your sins have made a separation between you and your God." Isaiah 59:2 and "All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23. God created us to know and love Him. But man chose to go his own way and that relationship with God was broken (Romans 1:19-21). This attitude and its results are what the Bible calls sin. Sin causes us to: Miss God's very best for our life - "Jesus said... I came that you might have life and have it to the full." John 10:10. And to Face death and judgment - "For the wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23. And "those who do not know God...will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord." II Thessalonians 1:8-9. BUT...there is a solution. Jesus died and conquered death for you. We deserve death and judgment, but Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for our sins, so that we could have a personal relationship with God. "God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus is between them to bring them together by giving His life for all mankind." I Timothy 2:5. "Jesus said, I'am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to God except through me." Still it is not enough just to know this... Each of us by faith must receive Jesus Christ if we want to know God. "To all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God." John 1:12. And "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8. THE "ABC's" OF FAITH INVOLVE: Acknowledge your need - admitting you have sinned and expressing your desire to turn from that sin. I John 1:8-9 Believing Jesus Christ died in your place and rose again to be your Saviour - providing forgiveness for your sins. I Corinthians 15:3-4:17 Choosing to invite Christ to direct your life WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU RECEIVE CHRIST INTO YOUR LIFE? If you have begun your relationship of knowing God personally, the Bible promises:
WILL I FEEL DIFFERENTLY? It is important to remember that we rely on God's Word and its promises, not our feelings, as proof of our having Christ "within us." "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 And "To all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God." John 1:12 HOW TO GROW IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
BOOK RESOURCES Other than the bible as our main resource, these books will be helpful:
The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren
The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel
Mere Christianity by C.S.Lewis
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