Calvary Chapel
of the Canyons

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
John 1:5

How to Know God Personally

The Bible is the greatest love story of all time. It is the story of the Creator of the Universe reaching out to people just like you. Remarkably, God continues to reach out to people even though they may reject Him. Yet His offer stands:

"For God so loved the World that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Below are steps from the pages of the Bible that will lead you into a personal relationship of the true and living God through Jesus Christ. Please read them carefully and slowly and may you too experience what millions of others have in what Jesus described in John 10:10:

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."


1. ADMIT you have sinned against God.

Romans 3:23 "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

The word ‘sin’ in the Bible means ‘to miss the mark.’ Just as a basketball player aims for the basket and misses - so is one who sins, they miss the mark of perfection that God requires. Everyone has sinned by their actions, attitudes, and their words. God’s perfection means we should not lie, steal, commit adultery, murder or worship anything else besides Him. When we cheat, lie, misuse His name as a cuss word or any other wrongdoing, we sin and are separated from God.

Ask yourself, ‘Am I a sinner?’

2. REALIZE the consequences of sin.

Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death…"

According to Jesus if we were to die in this condition of separation from God we will be eternally condemned to face eternal punishment that Jesus described as unquenchable fire. (Matthew 13:41-42) When we sin we bring judgment on ourselves. We get what we deserve. If we reject God’s love in His Son Jesus then we sentence ourselves to Hell. We are the ones who decide our eternal destiny by what we will do with God’s Son Jesus.

Ask yourself, ‘Where will I go when I die?’


3. BELIEVE that only God can fix the problem of sin for you.

Romans 5:8-10 "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

We cannot fix the problem of sin. No good deed, no religion or church can bridge the gap of getting right with God. God came down to solve the problem for us. "And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's judgment. For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life." (Rom. 5:9-10) Now that is good news!

Ask yourself, ‘Do i really believe Jesus died for me? Do I believe He is alive today?’

Link to Reasons To Believe article on Evidence of Resurrection


4. RECEIVE God's offer of forgiveness by receiving Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23 "…the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

It is not enough for you to admit you are a sinner and believe Christ died and rose for you. You must receive Jesus as the new boss of your life, where He now becomes the very master of your life. " But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord."
(1 Peter 3:15) "…all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12)

Ask yourself, ‘Is there anything stopping me from receiving Christ as my Lord right now?’


5. REPENT from sin and ASK Christ to come into your heart through prayer.

Romans 10:13 "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

Jesus went to preach God's Good News…. "The Kingdom of God is near! Turn from your sins and believe this Good News!" (Mark 1:14-15) To ‘repent’ doesn’t just mean to be sorry; it means to change your mind about God, and to change your direction in life. It is much more than just ‘turning over a new leaf’; it is an act of the will to decide to stop living like God is dead and to enter into a personal, meaningful relationship with Jesus by faith. Faith is not accepting certain historical facts about Jesus Christ, it includes that but is much more. It literally means, to commit to, rely on, and trust in Jesus alone.

Ask yourself, ‘Am I now ready to commit my life and future to Jesus Christ right now?

HOW?

Now that you’ve decided to come to believe in Jesus the next step is for you to invite Jesus to take up residence in your life. Jesus put it like this,

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Rev 3:20

It is now up to you to respond by asking Jesus to come inside your heart.

If you would like to receive Jesus Christ into your heart and life right now, pray a prayer something like this from the sincerity of your heart...

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I am sorry for what I have done. I believe you died for my sins and are alive now. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I receive you as my personal Lord and Savior. Help me to follow you the rest of my life. And fill me now with your Holy Spirit. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

If you just prayed that prayer and really meant it, Jesus Christ has now taken residence in your heart! Not only that, but he has forgiven you of all your sin. The Bible tells us,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9

God also promises,

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" Psalm 103:12

The Prepared L.I.F.E.

Jesus in you living His L.I.F.E. through you.

 “God has given us eternal LIFE, and this LIFE is in His Son. He who has the Son has LIFE…” (1 John 5:11-12)

Prepared for the soon return of Christ.
     Therefore we watch and pray!
Loved by God supremely!
     Therefore we follow Jesus full of Grace and Truth!
Intelligent about Jesus Christ! 
     Therefore we study the Bible!
Faithful to Jesus Christ! 
     Therefore we stay loyal to Him and His teachings!
Empowered by the Holy Spirit to Make Disciples of all nations! 
     Therefore we yield by faith to Jesus in us living His L.I.F.E. through us!