My process for finding God covered a span of 19 years, before I truly understood my need for His love and forgiveness in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Along this path of spiritual awakening people in my life contributed to my progress in knowing God.
My mother took me to church at age 12, so I could learn about faith through the confirmation process. My grandmother modeled her walk with Jesus by being kind and generous to all she encountered. In college I begin attending church with Rita (my future wife) and her family.
Weekly relevant teaching from an ancient book—the Bible—began to answer many of life’s questions. It intrigued me: What is God’s plan for my life? Who is Jesus Christ? What are sin, salvation, heaven and hell? How can I live an abundant life of forgiveness, joy and love?
So, the Lord found me first with His incredible love and when I surrendered in repentance and faith in Jesus, I found Him. For two years a businessman in our church showed me how to grow in grace through Bible study, prayer, faith sharing and service to others. I still discover each day more of God’s great love and His new mercies.
Below is an outline for finding God and becoming a disciple of Jesus:
- BELIEVE: “If you declare 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). Belief in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord gives you eternal life in heaven.
- REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED: “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Repentance means you turn from your sin and publically confess Christ in baptism.
- OBEY: “Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23).
- WORSHIP, PRAYER, COMMUNITY, EVANGELISM AND STUDY: “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47).
- LOVE GOD: “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).
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