WHAT DO YOU SAY?
When someone tells you they love you, you are meant to respond - either
by saying "YES! I'm yours!", or "No! Don't bother me!" In
John's Gospel, God is inviting you to turn from your way to his way - by
trusting your life to his son Jesus (John 20. 31).
What is your reply? Is it "Yes" or is it "No" ?
What is a Christian?
A Christian is someone who says "Yes" to Jesus. In one sense it
is as simple as that. But of course we need to know what we are saying "Yes"
to.
How do you become a Christian?
To become a Christian, you tell God that you say "Yes" to these
things -
YES..
I admit that I fail to live the way God wants me to. I'm sorry, and I know
that I need his forgiveness.
YES..
I want to accept God's gift of forgiveness, made possible because Jesus,
God's Son, died for me.
YES..
I want God's Spirit in my life to change and guide me.
YES..
I want to put God first in my life. I will allow him to make me into the
person he wants me to be.
What does it cost the be a Christian?
It may seem easy enough to look at the words on the paper/screen and say
yes to them. But Jesus warned us to "sit down and figure out how much it
will cost." Make no mistake: God's love is free. Everything God offers is
free. There is nothing we can do to buy what God offers. But there is a price
tag - the effect of accepting God's invitation will have on your life. It is a
good thing to stop and ask yourself the question, "What will it cost YOU to
say yes to Jesus?" Go to someone who you know has been a Christian for some
time, and ask them - or email me!
Saying YES..
If you have considered the cost and want to say yes to Jesus then you and
God need to have a conversation.
The Bible refers to this as praying - talking to God. You can pray and ask
God to forgive you, and live his way! Here is something you might like to
include in you own prayer to God:-
God I'm sorry for living life my way and not yours. I'm sorry for the hurt
I have brought on myself, others and you. I need the forgiveness that your Son,
Jesus, paid for on the cross. Jesus, save me. I give you my life, messed up as
it is. I commit myself to follow you. But I can't do it alone. Come into my life
and help me become the person you want me to be. Thank you for your promise to
hear all who call out to you.
AMEN!
If YOU have just said YES!
Back to the Introduction to John's Gospel