Growing with Jesus
Anyone interested in Jesus needs to know what a relationship with Jesus is about. This pamphlet is to help us understand the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus as we understand who Jesus is, who we are, and what He did for each of us.
The Basics
Some will say that we are good by nature, unfortunately, that isn't the case. From infants on up we are taught from our parents, families, friends, and others how to behave and our general moral code. Left to our own devices we cry out and scream for what we want until we are taught differently. We lie about what we've done, we steal the toy from our sibling or friend, and we consider our needs before the needs of others.
We can read about why in Genesis 3, which describes the fall of Adam and Eve.
We understand from the following verses in the Bible what our true status is:
All of us have sinned
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 3:10-12
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
Ephesians 2:1
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins
James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
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Can we do anything about falling short of the glory of God and being dead in our transgressions? There's good news: the answer is, yes! Jesus is that good news.
Ultimate Love demonstrated
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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What does this mean to us?
We have a choice
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:8
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.
Hebrews 9:27
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment
1 John 5:11-13
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
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We certainly are not deserving of eternal life. We are sinful and we deserve death.
But, if we choose Jesus, we have a different outcome.
Choosing Jesus, Choosing Life
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.
1 John 5:11-13
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
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Wow! The sin is gone and a new life is available for those that believe what Jesus says is true. What do we do now?
Taking Action
Romans 10:9
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.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
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The early church that we read about in the book of Acts illustrates this.
Example of the Church in Acts:
Acts 2:28-39
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.
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What should you do about it?
Recognize that you have sinned and ask God to forgive you for your sins.
Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
How do we confess our sins? We talk to Jesus just like we would talk to anyone else. We admit our sins and ask for His forgiveness because we believe He will forgive our sins as the Bible says.
What happens when we confess our sins? He will forgive our sins and we are given another chance.
Now let's look at what happens next?
Accept His promise of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:4
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Get baptized.
Acts 22:16
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
We see some in the New Testament get baptized prior to receiving the Holy Spirit and some were baptized after receiving the Holy Spirit. While they both are essential, the order is not. Here are some examples in the early church:
Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-48; 19:1-6
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Follow Up.
It is important to develop our relationship with Jesus. As with any relationship the more we get to know Him, through reading the Bible and prayer, the more our relationship will grow and the closer to Him we will come.
Trusting the Word of God (the Bible)
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.