How To Know God
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
(Romans 10:9)
1. What does it mean to be saved?
When I ask people what it means to be saved some say that it means to be happy, some say that it means that they will find help, others say that it means that they will be set free from the mistakes of their past. All of these things are the result of knowing God, having a relationship with Him. John 1:12 says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." Being saved means that God accepts and loves you as His child and will never leave you or forsake you.
"Being saved means that God accepts and loves you as His child and will never leave you or forsake you."
2. How can I have a relationship with God?
It would seem impossible that someone as awesome and powerful as the Creator of the universe would want to have a relationship with us. Our minds are too small to understand how big He is and our hearts are too small to take in how great His love is. He is perfect and holy and we are not. We are full of selfishness and make plenty of mistakes. Romans 3:23 tells it like it is, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
God knew that we could not reach up to Him, so He sent His Son Jesus to reach down to us. Jesus became a man so that we could know God and He demonstrated to us God's perfect love. "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) The way to have a relationship with God is through Jesus Christ His Son.
"God knew that we could not reach up to Him, so He sent His Son Jesus to reach down to us."
"The way to have a relationship with God is through Jesus Christ His Son."
3. In what way is Jesus "Lord"?
Romans 10:9 says "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus..." What does it mean to say that Jesus is "Lord". A "Lord" is someone that you should obey, your master. Is it possible that every person on earth, from every nation, culture or ethnic group could call the same person their master? How could that be?
While there is no religious leader, politician or teacher who could claim that kind of obedience there is One who has every right to be worshipped and obeyed by everyone on earth. That One, is God who created the earth and every living thing.
So when you confess the Lord Jesus what you are saying is that you believe that Jesus really is the one true God who made you and that you want to worship and obey Him alone.
"There is One who has every right to be worshipped and obeyed by everyone on earth."
"Jesus really is the one true God who made you."
4. What is so important about the resurrection?
Romans 10:9 adds, "and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead." Jesus Christ proved His love for us by making the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, setting us free from sin and death. But Jesus did not stay in the grave. He rose again on the third day and is alive right now.
This is very important because it means that you are not just following the teachings of a dead martyr but having a relationship with the living Lord. Jesus is alive, so when you pray He hears you and when you are in need He is there to help.
"Jesus did not stay in the grave. He rose again on the third day and is alive right now."
"You are not just following the teachings of a dead martyr but having a relationship with the living Lord."
5. How can I believe?
God promises, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Believing is not understanding with your mind. It is hard to understand how the man Jesus could really be almighty God. It is hard to understand how He could have risen from the dead. Believing is also not just an emotional response of the heart. If it was then you might believe today and then "cool down" tomorrow.
Actually believing means to make a step of faith, to make a decision to trust that what Jesus says is true. It doesn't mean that you understand everything, but that you are want to find out. It is nothing more than a first step. But the good news is that if you are willing to make that small first step, God is willing to forgive your sins and accept you as His own child.
"Believing is not understanding with your mind."
"Believing is also not just an emotional response of the heart."
"Believing means to make a step of faith, to make a decision to trust that what Jesus says is true."
6. A prayer to receive Jesus Christ.
Are you willing to take that step of faith and believe in Jesus? If so then pray this prayer,
"Dear God, I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. Right now I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I receive Jesus as my Lord and want to worship and obey Him. Thank You for saving me. Amen.
"Are you willing to take that step of faith and believe in Jesus?"
7. Congratulations
Congratulations! Welcome to the family of God. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) Today you are a new creation, you have been born again and get a fresh chance to make a new beginning. You have a living, real relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ.
Like any relationship it is important that you spend time with Him, that you listen to Him and that you tell Him what is on your heart as well. The best way to spend time with Jesus is to go to church and be a part of His family. You can listen to Jesus by reading His Bible and asking Him what He wants to say to your heart. You can talk to Jesus anytime and anywhere by simply praying in His name.
"Like any relationship it is important that you spend time with Him, that you listen to Him and that you tell Him what is on your heart as well."
8. Help for you to grow in your relationship with Christ
You don't have to earn God's love or work for His approval. He already proved His love for you through His gift of Jesus Christ. " For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8) But part of a real relationship with God is that we grow in faith and love.
If you would like to grow closer to Jesus we would like to help. Please e-mail us with your name and address and we will send you some materials for new believers. We can also help you find a church near you.
" For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
