What LOVE?
At the core of everyone of us lies a single desire which fuels our search to find pleasure in the world around us. Somehow we are never completely fulfilled and we are left to search for the next source of satisfaction and self worth. Too often the true source of our emptiness is never identified and the desperate search for happiness never ends. Apart from knowing the LOVE of our Creator we can never be truly fulfilled. The LOVE of God is offered freely to every one of us unconditionally.[ Herein is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that He LOVED us...(1 John 4:10)] Forget about condemnation, God LOVES everyone of us more than we could ever imagine. He LOVES us and wants us all to experience the depth of his LOVE. When you spend time with God it's as if the whole universe is revolving around you and his gaze is locked on you. Imagine having someone who would never turn you away when you needed them. God wants to wrap you in his arms and shield you from the pain of this world.
The NEED
The NEED to be accepted and LOVED is undeniable. The LOVE that God has for us is unconditional, but there is something that stands in the way of us knowing him. Sin acts as a barrier that separates us from the Almighty, Heavenly Father. [For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)]. The punishment for sin is eternal separation from God, in other words torment in hell. [For the wages of sin is death(hell); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)] One might ask why would a God who LOVES us so much want to send anyone to hell. The answer is simple, He doesn't. That's why he sent his son to bear our weight of sin. Consider the words of John 3:16 which says [For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)]. If God did not LOVE us [while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8)] he would not have sent his son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die on the cross for our sins. Without him we would all have to face judgement for our sins. [If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)] Jesus was the only human being to ever live a sinless life. His sinless perfection made him eligible to offer himself as a willing sacrifice to cleanse us of all our sins. He was crucified, buried and on the third day he rose from the dead. By the blood that he shed on the cross we are cleansed of all unrighteousness. Through his rising from the dead he has conquered death and hell. We NEED his LOVE because without it we are lost. [Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.(Acts 4:12)]. Our NEED is clear, so now what?
Our HOPE
God has offered us all eternal life through his son, Jesus. All we must do is accept him as our Lord and Saviour and repent of our sins. Repentance is the act of asking forgiveness for our past sins and doing our honest best to eliminate all sinful habits from our lives. Jesus is the only way to the Father and the only one who can cleanse us of our sin. [Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.(John 14:6)] If you want to receive Jesus as your personal savior pray the following prayer from your heart. Make sure to say it OUT LOUD. [That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)]
The PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against you and I choose to follow your ways from now on. I believe that you sent your son, Jesus Christ, in the flesh to die on the cross for my sins. I believe that I am cleansed by the blood he shed on the cross and that through his rising from the dead I have been saved from death and hell.
I want you, Jesus, to be my personal Lord and Saviour. I commit to turn from my sinful ways and follow your will in my life. Please give me the strength I need to live for you. Thank you for your love and the salvation you have given me through your sacrifice. I promise to follow you for the rest of my days here on earth. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I might have the wisdom and strength to overcome the temptation to sin. Help me to love you in the same way that you loved me when you gave your life for me. AMEN.
