If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
How often have you wished for a new start. Things go wrong in relationships. We make mistakes and it seems like we have messed up any possibility of our lives fulfilling their potential. When we fail in this way, The good news is that God offers us a genuine new start. A real opportunity to wipe the slate clean and begin again.
Bible Zone
What is involved in getting right with God?
A new start makes a big difference. Jesus offers a new start, and he offers it in simple terms. He preached a very simple message. This is Mark 1:15
Mark 1:15 "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"
The kingdom of God is near.
John 18: 36 Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." 37 Pilate said, "So you are a king?" Jesus responded, "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."
The first thing Jesus tells people to do is repent. What exactly does that mean? Here are two verses each giving a key element.
Ezekiel 14: 6 "Therefore, tell the people of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins.
Acts 3: 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.
Jesus goes on from repent to believe.
John 5: 24 "I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
To actually do it and Repent and Believe is quite simple. It merely requires you to tell God - “I am sorry for the way I live and I would like to change so that I live your way. I ask you to come and live in my heart. I agree to live your way by Your Spirit as He lives in me. Thank you that this is possible because Jesus came and died for all the wrong that I have done. Amen.”
This is not some magic formula that merely needs to be uttered for it to come true. It requires that in our hearts we believe it. It is therefore worth reflecting a bit on the words. If you agree to ALL that is there then say them to God. He is always listening, you don’t have to do anything special to get His attention.
Consequences of Getting Right with God
What does Paul say about the outcome of this trust in Jesus?
Romans 10:9-10 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.10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
Teaching focusing on the certainty of life for those who have received Jesus.
1 John 5:11-13 11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life.
13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
More detail on being sure of how you stand :(Who gets to heaven?)
Page appears in Beginnings titled - How can I get right with God?.
GET RIGHT WITH GOD