Mission USA -- God and You

Many people ask us what we tell the young men and women in our program that helps them connect with God and find the strength to change their lives so dramatically.

The answer lies in a personal relationship with God. This is a one-to-one relationship that exists outside of church membership, lists of dos and don'ts, and the beliefs of the family that raised us.

The Bible says in Romans 3:23 that all humans have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. In God's eyes there are no levels of sins. In Romans 6:23 the Bible says that the result of this sin is death. Death is defined as eternal separation from God, spending eternity in hell when we physically die. But in the same verse, God offers a gift of eternal life (eternity in heaven when we die) through Jesus Christ.

Jesus is God's provision for all people to connect with God. Without Jesus, we could not stand before God. Jesus is the Son of God who walked the earth as a man for 33 years. At the end of that time, Jesus was arrested by religious leaders and was handed over to be killed. They thought they were getting rid of a threat to the established religion. But God's plan was for Jesus' death to serve as the final sacrifice for all men's sins, once and for all.

The Bible is very clear that believing in Jesus is the only way to have a relationship with God. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

How do you take the step and make the connection? Romans 10:9-10 says: "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is your mouth that you confess and are saved." Confess means to agree with God. In this verse, being saved means being saved from an eternal separation from God.

God wants everyone to be with Him. He doesn't care what you've done or said in the past. What matters to Him is whether you will accept the gift He's laid out for you. God promises in Revelation 3:20 that He stands at your door and knocks, ready to come into anyone's life who wants a relationship with Him.

So how do you begin this relationship? There's no set prayer. It should be your own prayer from your heart. God knows you and what you really feel. The prayer below is an example of what you can tell God when you ask him to start a personal relationship with you. You can use it, or you can use your own words.

"God, I've sinned against you. I want to be forgiven. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me and He rose again. I want to give my life to you, so you can help me to live like you want me to. I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and heart. I ask it all in Jesus' name. Amen