Are you ready to say “Yes” to Jesus?

I am talking about something that will not only save your life, but also change your life.

If you allow God to work in your life you will find that he will thoroughly clean you on the inside – your thoughts and feelings. He will remove the ‘old’ you and replace it with a ‘new’ you. You will be a new creation in Christ, re-born as a whole new person.

A commitment to Christ requires a step of faith, an acceptance of the sacrifice which He made for you. In dying on the Cross for us Jesus has washed our sins clean with His blood.

The Bible says: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land...” [Isaiah 1:18-19 NIV]. What a fabulous promise that is!

The Bible also says that: “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” [Romans 10:9-10 NIV].

However, there is a cost in accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Rather than it being a passport to a peaceful life, it is sometimes the opposite. Jesus said "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." [John 15:20 NIV]

Jesus also said that: "they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name." [Luke 21:12 NIV]

The act of accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, of being "born again" in Him, also means that you must die to your old self – who and what you were before no longer exists before God and you are a new creation in Christ. This does not take away the responsibility of past actions – if you committed a crime before accepting Jesus you may still have to be responsible for that crime before mankind. However, if you are truly repentant then Jesus will intercede on your behalf before God and you will not have to explain that sin to God.

If you are ready to make that commitment, if you want to say “Yes” to Jesus then say the following prayer out loud:

Dear Jesus. Thank you for the sacrifice You made for me. I am sorry for my past sins and will try my best not to repeat them. I ask Your help to keep this pledge. I know I am not worthy but I willingly accept You as my Lord and Savior, and I thank You for Your blessing over me and my family.

Now you have said this prayer, please send an e-mail to cfs@people.net.au and tell me a little of yourself and your circumstances so I can pray for you and possibly offer some further assistance.

Please read my small article When We Are Saved (what should new Christians expect).

Graham Pockett

Am I Now Saved?
an e-mail question from Matthew

“Am I really saved just by confessing that Jesus is my Lord and Savior?”

my reply to Matthew

“There is no magic in reciting a Sinner's Prayer, or being water baptized, or simply calling yourself a Christian. None of these things will ensure Salvation.

What does ensure Salvation is a commitment to Jesus. Christianity isn't about religion but relationship, a relationship with Jesus, and being obedient to His wishes. That means a change of heart, a change of thinking, a change of lifestyle.

First you must acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you must repent of your sins (doing your utmost not to repeat those sins).

I believe that a new Christian needs fellowship with other Christians, and should (if possible) join a Bible-based church that offers good teaching, and the opportunity to grow in your knowledge of Jesus.”