Right now you might be saying, “What free gift??” or, “So, what’s the catch?!”
It’s the gift of “salvation” – but what is salvation? That’s a great question! First, let’s figure out what salvation is not. Salvation is not the same thing as “religion.”
Did you know that God hates religion?
That’s right – when you have a girlfriend or boyfriend (or you get married), do you want a “religious experience” with that person, OR do you want a relationship with them? You want a relationship, of course! The same holds true with God – He just wants a one-on-one relationship with you, like you would have with a friend. The difference is, there’s no way to “earn” this gift of a relationship with God, because it’s free. In fact, the Bible says that it is “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Do you remember when you were younger? At Christmas when your mom or dad gave you Christmas gifts, did you have to pay for them? Of course not. The same holds true with God. FREE!
But what if you’re already a “good person”?
Maybe you already believe in God, haven’t killed anyone, and all that? Why should you care about salvation? First of all, there’s no such thing as a “good person.” God says in Romans 3:23 that “everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” We are all separated from God by sin – until we ask Jesus into our hearts. Secondly, it isn’t enough to just believe there is a God. Jesus said that unless you are “born again,” you cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Being “born again” means more than just believing that Jesus Christ/God exists – it means asking Jesus into your heart by faith, totally relying on what He did on the cross for you. He has forgiven all of your sins.
So you think that you’ve done some “horrible” things?
You’re a “bad person”? You might be thinking that there’s no way God could forgive you. The truth is, God says in John 6:37 that anyone who comes to Him will not be cast out! Remember that if you could save yourself (by being “good,” or becoming a church member, or even by being water-baptized), there would have been no point in Jesus dying on the cross. He died because there is no way you can save yourself.
“So what now?”
To receive God’s free gift of salvation, you must really desire to change and then you simply need to ask Him for it. Pray this prayer - based on Romans 10:9, 10 in the Bible (just talk from your heart & really mean it):
“Jesus, I confess that I need You. My own works are not good enough. I have sinned, and I need to receive this free gift. I confess you as Lord, and believe in my heart that God raised you from the dead. Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit; guide me to a Bible-believing church; and help me to read your Word. Thank you for dying for me.” … ok, go ahead and say “Amen”
Yeah!! The GIFT is all yours!
