Scripture declares that have sinned, rebelling against God’s Word in their hearts and have fallen short of God’s holy standard. We are excluded from being in His loving presence for all eternity; condemned to Hell in a lake of fire. Yet, God so loved the world He sent His Son, the Word of God, to save us from our sin. This, Jesus of Nazareth, was our Savior and our Christ (anointed one). He was miraculously born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament prophecies concerning Himself. Thus, being completely man and completely God, He died on a cross as a substitute for our lives. Our sin and God’s judgment fell upon Him. Yet, the Holy Spirit raised Him from the grave on the third day, victorious over sin, Satan, and death.

Now, because of the grace of God all who turn from their sin and believe on Jesus Christ by faith may be saved. That is, only those who trust in His redemptive work on the cross as the only way to God, may be saved. No good work or efforts of man may save us; it is trusting in Christ alone. For this reason, we love Him and willingly obey His Word. Today, Jesus is making intercession for all believers and gives them His Holy Spirit to empower them to live victoriously over sin and as witnesses to this Good News. Our promise and hope is everlasting life in Jesus Christ. Those who die in faith will be with Him and soon He will unexpectly return for all who are still living by faith.  

1. EXAMINE THE COST

There is a cost to following Christ. You must think things over before choosing to follow Jesus, because there’s a daily cost. Following Him means, you must willfully choose to turn from your way of living and thinking; not in a halfhearted response, but it will involve a major overhaul of your whole orientation to life. It means, you must follow a new “Way” of thinking, acting, and living. You must respond wholeheartedly, ready to leave anyone and thing. You must be willing to keep going, trusting in His Word and Spirit to guide and empower you. You must love your family and friends far less than you love God. Yet, with every cost God promises an eternally greater reward.

2. REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOOD NEWS 

RECONCILED– Made a Friend of God

I BELIEVE that when I wasn’t able to get closer to God, in order to gain my fellowship, ‘He took it upon Himself’ to move me from hostility to friendship. He ‘exchanged’ my failures for His righteousness. Now I’m at peace with God and all separation is removed!

     *Rom 8:7-8; Col 1:21-22; 2 Cor 5:17-19; Rom 5:8; Eph 2:14-16

JUSTIFIED– Just-as-If I Never Sinned

I BELIEVE although I was guilty of death, God ‘legally’ made me right, pardoned my wrongs, ‘declared’ me righteousness, and restored me above accusation.

     *Rom 3:22-26; 4:7-8, 20-25; 5:18-19; Phil 3:9

REGENERATED– Born Again & Alive in Christ

I BELIEVE though I was dead and unaware, God changed my nature, released me from sin, and restored me from the inside out. Now, I feel ‘alive’ and have a ‘new life’ together with Him

     *John 3:3; Matt 19:27-30; Titus 3:4-7; John 1:12-13; Eph 2:4-6; 2 Cor 4:3-4; John 5:21; 1 John 5:4-5

SANCTIFIED– Made Holy & Given a Holy Calling

I BELIEVE that through Jesus, God brought me near, made me holy, and ‘set me apart’ for His service. I am holy in Christ alone, yet each day I am ‘sacrificially’ choosing to avoid evil, remain obedient, and strive to walk worthy of my calling by the power of His Spirit who is living in me.

     *Heb 2:11, 10:14; Eph 4:1-6; 1 Peter 1:13-15; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Cor 6:11-12; Gal 2:20-21