Developing a relationship with Jesus

Developing a relationship with Jesus is similar to developing a relationship with anyone else - the more time you invest, the deeper and more fulfilling the relationship becomes. And Jesus promises to be there whenever we want to talk or need help and encouragement.

Remember, at it's heart, becoming a Christian is more than a once-only decision - it's  a lifelong commitment to keep getting to know Jesus better. Some of the  ways we get to know Him are through communicating with Him in prayer (talking to Him and listening for His "still, small voice"), and growing in our understanding of Him through His word, The Bible.

If you'd like to embark on this journey, here are three  steps to get you started:

Step 1 - BELIEVE that Jesus came to show us a better way to live

The word sin is God’s way of explaining this selfishness that is out of control inside of all of us and our world. This sin is doing damage to us and to others. Sin is so much a part of our lifestyles that it has become like an addiction that the human race is powerless to defeat. Ordinary people are caught in a downward spiral of destruction that is happening so subtly that most don’t even notice. Everyone needs rescuing from this sin!

Step 2 - RECEIVE the free gift of Salvation

Jesus is the rescuer for the world! All the supernatural power of God in Heaven has been released upon this world through Jesus. The way Jesus lived, the way Jesus died and the way Jesus came back to life again are significant moments in history when God has released his power to rescue us from this sin.  

The amazing thing is that this act of saving has already been done by Jesus and it is given to us like a gift – for free! We don’t have to DO anything it has already been DONE for us through Jesus. Like a present at Christmas, all we have to do is open it. This gift begins a change inside of us that is like starting a whole new life – instead of being on a downward spiral of destruction, we begin an upward journey of re-creation!

If you have never received this gift of salvation before, you can pray this prayer:

Jesus, I know that I am a sinner            and that I am caught up in a world that is full of selfishness. I need rescuing! Jesus, I receive your free gift of salvation, and I ask you to  live in me and change me deep within. I receive your gift of a new life.

Step 3 - BECOME a child of God

This all seems too good and too easy to be true! You may not always feel like a child of God but the secret is to keep believing and keep receiving what Jesus has done for us. Things will start to change in your life and old habits which were shaped by selfishness will begin to be shaped by your new life in Christ. Share with someone else that you are now a child of God.

Old habits die hard, which is why Christians are encouraged to find a church home where Christians meet together to encourage each other and support each other as we all grow together.

`To all who received him, to those who believed in his name,  he gave the right to become children of God’ - John 1:12

If you would like to talk to someone from The Salvation Army then please email cessnock.corps@aue.salvationarmy.org