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God's
Purpose for Us
God's purpose for humanity- you and me - is peace and life. The
central theme of the Bible is God's love for us. "For God so loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in
Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) His
plan for us is that we have, not just existence, but full, abundant and
vibrant life. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and
that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10). His plan is for us
to have peace - inside ourselves, with other people and, most
importantly, with Himself. "We have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) God wants to bless your life and make
it complete forever. If God has all of this planned for us, then what
went wrong?
Separation
from God
God created us in His image to have that life and peace. But He did not
make us like robots who cannot choose but to follow and obey God. It
would be automatic and love would not be possible. Each of us has a free
will and a freedom of choice. The problem is that we consistently choose
against God. We have chosen to turn our backs on Him, to disobey Him and
go our own willful way. The Bible says, "For the wages of sin is
death," (Romans 6:23) and "Your iniquities have separated you
from your God." (Isaiah 59:2) Our willful separation from God and
the wrong things we do as a result kill us. This happens not just in
this life but in the life to come after we die. Hate, estrangement,
murder, envy, war and a host of other evils fill our world. More
importantly, they fill each of us. We are lost and dying. People try all
kinds of things to bridge the chasm between themselves and God. These
attempts fail. There is one bridge.
The
Bridge
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, has paid
the price for all of our sins. Every stupid, hurtful, selfish, even
murderous thing we have done has been paid for on the cross. You may
think you have to lead a good life and do good deeds before God will
love and accept you. But there are many so-called "good"
people out there who are still separated from God. And if we probed a
little beneath the surface we will find a common selfishness,
willfulness, rejection of God and hidden sinfulness. The Gospel, the
Good News, is that Christ loved you enough to die in your place, even
when you were rebelling against Him. "But God demonstrates His own
love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us." (Romans 5:8) It is for lost, hurt, angry, empty,
self-satisfied, imperfect people - you and me - that Christ bridged the
chasm. Salvation is a free gift offered to you. God is offering you
something you could never provide for yourself - forgiveness of sins and
eternal life!
Accepting
the Gift
You do not have to work for a gift. All you have to do is to receive it!
"Here I am," says Jesus, "I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I WILL COME IN and eat with
him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20) Jesus Christ wants you to
have a real, personal relationship with Him. He's knocking. Invite Him in.
He is waiting for you to receive Him and let Him into your heart and
life. God has provided the way. We must make the choice.
Will you receive Christ right now?
How
You Do It
 Admit your need. Admit your sinfulness
and separation and lostness.
Be willing to turn from your sins.
This is what repentance is.
Believe that Jesus died for you and
rose from the dead.
Through prayer, simply invite Jesus to
come in. Invite Him to forgive you and take away your sin. That is,
accept Him as Savior. And invite Him, through the power of the Holy
Spirit, to control your life and obey Him. That is, accept Him as Lord.
How
to Pray
A simple prayer, prayed from the heart, like this will do:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I
believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins and live
a new life. I invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust
and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer, your salvation is going into effect. The
Bible says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved." (Romans 10:13)
Now What?
This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. You are
born into God's family. The Holy Spirit has entered you. To deepen this
relationship and live out and work out this salvation you have received
you should:
1. Let us know. Call Pastor Alan, Pastor Bruce or Pastor Chris at
541-773-8274. Or e-mail us at wpcinfo@westminsterpres.com.
2. Talk to God every day in prayer.
3. Read your Bible every day.
4. Worship, fellowship and serve with other Christians in a church
that loves the Lord and studies His Word, the Bible.
5. Demonstrate your new life by your love, service and concern for
other people.
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