This page deals with a very serious matter. There are no pretty pictures. There are no amusing little bits. It's just words, but they're important words. They tell you about the way out of what may seem to be an absolutely hopeless situation. You have a big problem that may affect you for all eternity, and you know it. It bothers you, at least, and maybe you're desperate and terrified. Maybe you're feeling guilty about people you have hurt or disappointed. Maybe you feel enslaved and trapped by a habit too big for you. Maybe you worry how you can possibly come into God's presence. We have some great news for you! You can have a new life. You can have your guilt removed. You can be free. You can be right with God. Does this sound like something you've been looking for? Before you go further, ask God in prayer to help you see and understand what you should on this page. Done? Read on!

A NEW LIFE

Have you ever wondered, "Perhaps there is something very important in life that I've missed"? To answer that question, this page sets forth FIVE IMPORTANT FACTS about an abundant life which God can give. You owe it to yourself to consider carefully how you can get this new life and become a new person.

FACT ONE

A loving God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to bring men to a new and abundant life.
John 10:10- Jesus said concerning those He loves, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 7:38- "He that believes in Me, as Scripture has said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water."

This New Life includes eternal fellowship with Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22). The Holy Spirit also gives power to overcome worry and fears (1 John 4:18) and to break unbreakable habits like

(1 John 4:18, Ephesians 4:25-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
But why are so many people without this New Life?
Because...

FACT TWO

Men are spiritually dead and live in a world of pretense, illusion, and self-deception.
Ephesians 2:1- "And you were dead through your trespasses and sins."
Men in Adam sinned against God and continue to sin. "To sin" means that men

  1. Fight God- by breaking His laws and being unthankful (1 John 3:4, Romans 1:21) and

  2. Play God- by acting as though they were God by self-deception (Genesis 3:4-5).

The Point

Man deceives himself into thinking he is living out of his own resources. But, in fact, he is totally dependent on God for breath, food, shelter, and physical and mental abilities (Acts 17:28). Man's true position is that of a dependent creature who was made in God's image. Man's delusion is that of a dependent creature who pretends he has no need of God.

But this is not all. God sees man's sin and is indignant because each person owes God obedience, but is in fact very disobedient. Therefore...

FACT THREE

A loving and a holy God has a problem with man's sin. Because God hates all wrongdoing, He is separated from man by three wide barriers. The same barriers also separate man from God.
Man's Sin

What are the consequences of this separation? Living death now and eternal death to come (Romans 6:23a).
God's solution to the problem - a free gift to men!

FACT FOUR

You can have abundant life NOW as a free gift through Jesus Christ. Jesus removed the three barriers by His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Look how it works:

Man's Sin replaced by Jesus' Remedy

Jesus said, "I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:15)
What is the consequence of Jesus' death and perfect obedience? Eternal Life! (Romans 6:23b)

The Point

Jesus took the place of His people on the cross (John 10:15). He became their substitute. He was legally condemned as their representative. This solves God's problem with man's sin. The Father gave His only begotten Son to pay for the sins of His people (John 3:16).

Question

Suppose you were to die tonight and appear before the Holy God - what would you say if He asked, "Why should I let you into my heaven?"

FACT FIVE

You receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your life by turning in sorrow from your sins and trusting Him personally as your Savior.

(1) Turn from your sins. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord that He may have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7)
Repentance is not our suffering or our good works to earn salvation, but a turning from our sins to the living God throught Jesus Christ.

(2) Trust in Christ Jesus alone. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved and your household." (Acts 16:31)
As Priest - Jesus has paid for sins and now prays for His own people.
As Teacher - Jesus has sent His Spirit to teach men to come to Him.
As New Master and King - Jesus conquers sinners and gives them a new heart so that they willingly surrender to Him as the Lord of their lives.

Now, look again at FACT FOUR. Here you see that Jesus, the God-man, is the only one Who brings God and man together. Faith and repentace are God's appointed and only ways for coming to Christ!

A NEW DIRECTION FOR A NEW LIFE

Having seen your deep need as a sinner before God (bad record, bad heart, and bad master), you can come now and confess your sins and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of your life. Today this New Life can be yours.

Here is a guideline to help you in confessing your sins and coming to know Jesus. It's not the exact words that matter, but the heart attitude. This is not some magic(k) formula! If you will say similar words sincerely from the heart to God, then you will have begun a new and eternal relationship with the Father through His Son Jesus.

Suggested guideline for prayer: "Heavenly Father, I acknowledge I have sinned against You. I have not loved You with my whole heart, mind, and strength, nor my neighbor as myself. I am worthy of eternal death. But I am deeply sorry for my unbelief and I ask You to forgive my unthankfulness and proud rebellion, because Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross for sinners like me. Father, please forgive my sins and clean me up from them for Jesus' sake. Please accept me as Your servant and beloved child. May Jesus rule my life! Amen [this means, "I really mean it!]."

Everyone who believes in Christ in this saving way has been crucified, buried, and raised again through faith in Jesus. As a disciple he has a new resurrection life which comes from Jesus now and forever.

How does this New Life continue? The same way it began, with prayer and faith.

For you, Jesus Christ has opened anew the personal relationship with God which all men in Adam lost. Continue this new fellowship by coming to God in prayer at all times. Keep near to God by a life of prayer. If you truly know Who He is, you will want to talk often with Him.

True prayer consists in joyous praise, thanksgiving, confession of sins, and earnest seeking of God's help in all of life.

You must read and study the Bible as a means of growth in grace and the knowledge of God (John 17:17). As the resurrected Lord of your New Life, Jesus gives you these new directions through His Word:

  1. Meet publicly and privately together with other believers for worship in a church where the Bible is believed and taught (Hebrews 10:25).

  2. Hate and turn from your old lust, selfishness, anger, and lying (Colossians 3:5-11).

  3. Love God and other believers, expressing this in deeds of kindness and compassion (Colossians 3:12-14).

  4. Set aside specific times for meditation and thinking about God, His world, and our place in it (Psalm 119).

  5. Bear witness to others about what God has done through the resurrected Christ for you by your words and deeds (1 Peter 3:15, Matthew 28:16-20, Romans 10:9-15).

Remember

In yourself you have no power to do any of these things. Each day, therefore, you must continue to surrender your life to the Father and Jesus, His Son, by faith. As you confess your sins, God will continue to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness for Jesus' sake (1 John 1:9 - 2:2).

By the late Jack Miller, slightly adapted and HTMLized by Phil Pockras.

If you'd be interested in printed copies of this material, in the original form, contact:
Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship (PEF)
PO Box 1890
Decatur, GA 30031
(404) 244-0740

Each copy is 10 cents.

Just above, you read, "Meet publicly and privately together with other believers for worship in a church where the Bible is believed and taught (Hebrews 10:25)." We recommend you go to the directory for the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America for one of our churches nearest you.

If you have any questions or want further spiritual help, feel free to email our pastor, Phil Pockras, or Larry Bump, a mature member of our congregation and one of our elders.

Other presentations of these same truths can be found at the site of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland and at the site of the Bloomington Reformed Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, Indiana, here in the USA. Please come on back with the "back" button on your browser.

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Last Updated 14-Feb-2007 covvie@columbus.rr.com