How to take your first step on God's path for your life

We believe that before you can live God's path for your life you must know Him personally.  Once you know God, then you can begin to hear and understand His will for you.  So your first step on your path is to gain a relationship with God.  The following is how you can gain that relationship.

In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve perfect.  However, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God they brought a curse on every person to be born.  That curse is a separation from God because we are born with a sinful nature. 

For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. – Rom. 3:23

Sin literally means missing God’s standards or path for our lives.  God gave us His ten commandments (Exodus 20) to show us our sin.

Why was the law given?  It was given to show people how guilty they are.  - Gal. 3:19

In understanding we are guilty we should also understand that we deserve punishment.  Just as a criminal stands guilty in front of a judge, awaiting sentence, so we stand in God’s judgment waiting for our sentence.  God’s judgment is death. 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. – Rom. 6:23

The bible says that death is a reference to an eternal separation from God in a place called hell.  We cannot escape our judgment, no matter who we are or what we do.

God saved you by his special favor when you believed.  And you can’t take credit for this: it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Eph. 2:8-10

The good news is that God knows we have no hope on our own.  Because of our helplessness, God acted for us by sending Jesus Christ to take our punishment for us so that we can be forgiven of our sin. 

For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us.  We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed His blood, sacrificing His life for us. – Rom. 3:25

So we become a Christian (a follower of  Jesus Christ) by leaving our life of sin (repentance) and trusting (belief) that Jesus paid the price for our freedom from God’s judgment.

For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. – Rom. 10:9 

Right now, if you are not a Christian, we invite you to become a follower of Jesus Christ by calling on His name in prayer.  This is your first step in walking God’s path for your life.  You can pray a simple prayer like the one below.

"Dear God, I realize I am separated from you because I have sinned by living my life my way.  I turn from my own path and now I want to walk your path for my life.  Please forgive me.  I believe Jesus died for me and that He came back to life 3 days later.  Come in my life and make me your child.  Help me live for you."

If you prayed that prayer you are now on God's path for your life.  You are a Christian.  We would love to hear from you about your decision so we can encourage you to take your next steps on God's path for your life.  You can call us at 757-430-8069 or email us at info@yourpathforlife.com.