More than a Promise of Abundant LifeWhen I was a young teenager my Dad told me time and time again that he would buy me a car and teach me to drive when I turned 17. This was a promise and I had no reason to doubt him. I believed him. I didn't know what type of car and I had no idea how to drive, but I believed it. Then when I was 17, my Dad came into the house and called me downstairs and reached out his hand and he was holding a set of car keys. He took me outside to show me my first car - a little 1980 mini - and took me for my first driving lesson. This photo shows my younger brother pointing out that I am just a Learner and my beautiful baby sister and of course my treasured first car. My dad had fulfilled his promise. I didn't earn it, I had believed but now I had received it.
This is like Salvation, from the beginning God told about and promised to send the Messiah, the Redeemer. Though out the Old Testament God was telling about the Coming Messiah. Then in the New Testament the Word became flesh and dwelt among men. The Word was Jesus, it was the spoken promise, the spoken word from the beginning and now he came born into the world as a man. The Son of God had been born, the promised Messiah, Redeemer of All Men had been born. 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 v 16.
Jesus came to pay for the Salvation of all by giving his life as a ransom for you and for me. Jesus fulfilled the promise of the Father, by paying the costly price to Redeem us from the bondage of sin.
Salvation is no longer a promise. Salvation is more than a promise it is a free gift.
If someone says you can have this car if you do this and this for me; that is not a gift that it is bribe, or a reward.
Christ earned and paid in full the Gift of Salvation. We cannot earn it we cannot achieve it - we can only receive it.
It is a gift - a very costly gift - but offered to us freely. I cannot receive a gift for you just like you cannot receive a gift for me. It is our own personal choice.
Many have heard about Salvation, but think they are not good enough to receive it. Others think they are good enough and don't need it. But never the less - It still remains that Jesus is the only one who can save. He is the only way to the Father.
When my Daddy, bought the car for me, it wasn't because he wanted me to have a mini. It was because he wanted me to learn to drive - he wanted me to have the confidence etc of having my driving license so that I could be ready and equipped for going places in my life. He was investing in my future.
God didn't want his Son to die, Jesus didn't want to go to the cross - BUT - God the Father wanted us to have the gift of Salvation. He wanted us to be free from sin and shame. He wanted to make a way for us to life the great new life he had planned for us and he wanted the best for us, so he gave the best - he gave his own Son - and His Son gave his own life.
Have you received this gift of Salvation?
God is calling you today and he is speaking to your heart even now as you read this, and he wants you to know how to receive this free Gift and that is why I am writing this today.
The first step is to admit that you cannot be your own saviour. We cannot earn this gift of Salvation. No matter how hard we work to be good. Romans 3 v 10 tells us that no-one is righteous which means no-one is free from guilt or sin.
The next step is to be willing to turn from and repent of doing things your own way. To repent means to have a change of direction. Have you ever asked yourself "what is this life all about" - are you tired of trying hard to make things better only to find things are only worse? Are you willing to turn away from trying to earn a better life, or just trying to survive this life and find out more about this Gift of Salvation and abundant life that God wants you to receive?
When my dad called - I had to leave what I was doing and come downstairs and when he reached me the car keys - I had to reach out and take them into my hands. I wanted to know more and I was saying Thank You.
God is calling your name - he is reaching out to you today but you must take the step to receive what he has for you. You can't take it in your hand like a set of car keys but the bible tells us we receive it in our hearts by believing that Jesus Christ died for us and that God raised him from the dead. By confessing and speaking out loud that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Romans 10 v 9-10)
When my dad reached me the car keys - I didn't stand there and say nothing - I wanted to thank him - I wanted him to know that I received his gift.
Likewise when you are ready to receive the Gift of Salvation you will say something, you will want him to know that you receive and you will want to say Thank You.
We call it the Salvation Prayer - it is you talking to God and letting him know that you receive his Gift of Salvation that he has given to you through Jesus Christ. You can use your own words, or you can follow a prayer like this. It is not the prayer on its own that saves you, that is simply you receiving the Gift of Salvation. It is Jesus who saves you and makes your Spirit to be born again and made alive and it is his Holy Spirit that will do the work of salvation in your heart.
Salvation Prayer (Say this prayer out loud)
Father, I know I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness. I ask you to forgive me of all my sins in Jesus name. I repent and turn from sinning and doing things my own way. I believe that Jesus died and rose again for my sin and I accept your Gift of Salvation. Lord Jesus, I ask you to come into my heart, right now, and be my Lord and Saviour. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. I thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayer and coming into my heart and saving me according to Your Word. I love You Lord, and I ask You to seal me in the blood of Jesus and help me to live for You all the days of my life.
In Jesus name Amen.
And just like how I had received the gift of a car, it was all mine bought and paid for - but I didn't instantly know how to drive. I had so much to learn. Now you have received the gift of Salvation - it is time for you to learn all about Jesus and to discover God's great plan for your life. It is important to find someone who is a Born Again Christian and ask them to pray with you and to help you. If you don't know anyone please contact us. We would love to hear from you. xx
Txt/Call or WhatsApp Audrey on 07828874999
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