Have you ever wondered, “How can I have a relationship with God?” Many people struggle with the life they have led and wrongly believe that God could never love them. That is a lie that Satan wants you to believe to keep you from knowing God’s true love for you!
God’s own Word, the Bible, shows what an immense love God has for each one of us. He cares for you, has a plan for you, will not forsake you, and wants you to spend eternity with Him! Here are some wonderful Bible verses that give us this truth of God:
God cares for you:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29–31 (ESV)
God has a plan for you:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3–4 (ESV)
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” 2 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV)
God will not forsake you:
“For the Lord will not forsake His people; he will not abandon his heritage.” Psalm 94:14 (ESV)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38–39 (ESV)
God is looking forward to spending eternity with you:
“For God so loved that world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (ESV)
“In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2–3 (ESV)
These examples (there are many more) show how much God loves you and wants you to come to Him. Every person can receive God’s forgiveness. How do we receive it?
First, I have to recognize that I am a sinner and that I fall short of God’s standard. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” (ESV) We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent. Romans 3:10–18 gives a clear picture of what sin looks like in our lives.
Second, I must understand the consequences for my sin against God. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (ESV) The punishment that we deserve for our sins is death. Not just physical death, but eternal separation from God!
Third, I believe that Jesus died for my sins! Romans 6:23 ended with, “but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 5:8 declares, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (ESV) Jesus’ death paid for the price of our sins and God now sees us as He sees Jesus when we put our faith in Him. Jesus’ resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus’ death as the payment for our sins.
Fourth, you must trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 says, “because, 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.” (ESV) Jesus died on your behalf, all you must do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for your sins, and you will be saved! Romans 10:13 says the same thing, “for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (ESV) Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and rescue us from eternal separation from God (death). Salvation, which is the forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Last, the result of salvation is eternal life never to be separated from God. Romans 5:1 has this peaceful message of assurance, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (ESV)
Through Jesus Christ we can have a relationship of peace with God. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (ESV) Jesus died and paid the penalty for our sin, so we will never be condemned for our sins. We have a promise of God to give us eternal hope in Romans 8:38–39, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (ESV)
Would you like to follow the Romans Road to salvation? If so, here is a simple prayer you can pray to God. Words do not save you, only Jesus can do that! God will know your heart and the sincerity of your faith in Jesus. This prayer (or something similar in your own words) is a way to declare to God that you are relying on Jesus Christ for your salvation. “God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of punishment. I realize I can never be forgiven by being good enough. I know that Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I can be forgiven. I place my trust in You for my salvation. Please forgive me for my sins. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness and accepting me! Amen!”
