Peace with God
The gospel of Jesus Christ
God offers forgiveness, purpose, and eternal life through his Son. These steps summarize the good news taught in Scripture.
Step 1
God's purpose: peace and life
God loves you and offers peace with himself, purpose for today, and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
- Romans 5:1. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- John 3:16. God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Step 2
The problem: sin separates us
We have all sinned. Sin breaks our relationship with God and leaves us without lasting hope on our own.
- Romans 3:23. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
- Isaiah 59:2. Your sins have made a separation between you and your God.
Step 3
God's remedy: the cross
Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again. He alone bridges the gap between God and us.
- Romans 5:8. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- 1 Peter 3:18. Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God.
Step 4
Our response: receive Christ
Turn from sin, trust Jesus as Lord and Savior, and receive him by faith. You can pray honestly from the heart.
- Romans 10:9. 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.
- John 1:12. To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
A prayer to receive Christ
You may pray in your own words. This sample prayer is a starting point:
Lord Jesus, I admit I am a sinner. I turn from my sin and ask your forgiveness. I believe you died for me and rose again. I receive you as my Savior and follow you as my Lord. Amen.
If you prayed to trust Christ, tell someone you trust and consider reaching out through contact or request prayer.
Life issues & the gospel
When life feels heavy, Scripture points us to Christ and to practical next steps.
- Anxiety and worryCast your cares on Christ who cares for you.1 Peter 5:7. Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
- Guilt and shameThere is forgiveness at the cross.1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
- Fear of deathJesus has conquered the grave.Hebrews 2:14-15. He… destroy the one who has the power of death… and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
- Purpose in lifeLife finds its meaning in knowing God.John 17:3. This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
- LonelinessYou are invited to pray and belong to Christ's people.Hebrews 10:24-25. Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
- An uncertain futureGod holds tomorrow in his hands.Jeremiah 29:11. I know the plans I have for you… plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.