Many people go to church because they are looking for God. Perhaps this is why you have come to the Vineyard (or this website). You feel there is something missing in your life. The famous French mathematician Pascal said that inside every person is a God-shaped void meant only for Him. God desires to have a relationship with you and to fill the emptiness you feel inside. In this section of this website you will find how you can begin a relationship with Him today.
1. Admit that you are a sinner and need a Savior.
According to the Bible, it is sin (the things that we do that are wrong) that has separated us from God in the first place and caused us to feel so empty. Our natural desire as human beings is to ignore God and to do what we want. Our two great sins are failing to love God with all our heart and failing to love our neighbors as ourselves.
“All we like sheep have gone astray, and each of us has turned to his own way.”
(Isaiah 53:6)
“Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you.”
(Isaiah 59:2)
2. Believe that Jesus died on the cross
Believe that Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sin, that He rose from the dead and is alive today. Instead of making us pay, God allowed Jesus to pay the price for our sin – a penalty that was rightfully ours. He did this because He loves us.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
(Romans 10:9)
3. Accept God’s gift of salvation
God’s offer of forgiveness for sin is free and always available. But it is not yours until you personally accept it. Don’t try to earn it because you can’t. Nothing you do will ever make you good enough for God. Just accept what He has done for you.
“For it is by grace you are saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8,9)
4. Surrender your life to Jesus
Surrender your life to Jesus by inviting Him into your heart to be your Lord (master) and Savior. To surrender to Jesus means you relinquish control of your life over to Him. Inviting Him into your heart means you welcome His presence into your life. When you do, He will come into you, through the Holy Spirit, and fill the emptiness inside. This is what Jesus called being “born again.” Becoming a Christian is a lot like birth. It is the start of a whole new life – Jesus will make you new from the inside out.
“Here I am! 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)
“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
(John 3:3)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Here’s a simple prayer you can follow:
Dear Lord, I admit that I am a sinner. I don’t do what I should and I do a lot of things that I shouldn’t. I don’t love you with all my heart and I don’t love my neighbor as myself. I’m sorry for my sins and for going my own way. Thank you for loving me and for sending Jesus to die for me. I believe He took my place, suffered for the punishment that I deserved, rose from the dead, and is alive today. I accept your free gift of forgiveness right now. Jesus, I give you my life and ask you to come in to my heart to live in me forever – to be my Lord and Master. I want to follow you from now on. Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer and want to tell us about it, click here.