Home
About Us
Contact Us
Stephen's
Testimony
Video
News and
Events
Resources
Photo
FAQ
Start Here

JesusLife is full of decisions. Some are more important than others. We decide what to wear, who to
be friends with, how to behave and more. Not everyone has many choices, but every person makes
decisions. There is one decision we all must make, paramount to others, with lifelong and eternal
implications. It is the decision for or against Christ.
JesusOutside views of Christianity vary. Before continuing, let’s look at three factors which
contribute to a negative view. First, Christians sometimes fail to demonstrate the love of Christ. The
poor example can deter and even repel people. I can only answer for myself-that I pray daily to be a
more honorable witness for Him. Moreover, though we are imperfect, the Lord is unfailing. Second,
not every person is a Christian (leader or follower) who claims to be. The Bible warns about false
prophets, false teachers, false brethren and even false christs. Jesus told the church, “You will
know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16) Still many observers mistakenly associate their fruits,
from carnality to criminality, with the true body of believers. Third, some people’s bitterness toward
Christians is an overflow of offense. Confronting, confessing and repenting from sin are unusual
and unnatural to the world. The natural man may see the Gospel as a threat to his way of life or a
personal attack rather than the revelation of “a more excellent way”. (1Corinthians 12:31) So he
reacts against the messenger along with the message. I stand behind God’s inspired word-for
Christ’s sake, your sake and mine. However, it is my purpose to communicate love and respect as
well as presenting His truth.
JesusGrasping the necessity of Christ begins with understanding that we all are sinners. “For all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Do you see yourself as a “good
person”? By what standard do you measure yourself? By what authority do you judge? Where do
you get your idea of “good”? If you are “good”, then who is “bad”? Are you good if you have not
done some “bad things” that others have done? “For we dare not class ourselves or compare
ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2Cor 10:12) Are you “good” because
you have done “good things”? Do they redeem a person? “…And all our righteousnesses are like
filthy rags...” (Isaiah 64:6) What about the “bad things”?
Do they disappear? Is a criminal excused from prosecution because he did “good
things”? “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is
guilty of all.” (James 2:10) These questions are not to insult or harass you. Rather
they point out the shortcomings of our usual defenses.
JesusThe world’s standard is relative. Each person crafts a paradigm with moral loopholes. It allows
him (or her) freedom without acceptance of responsibility or admission of wrong. The only sure
standard is God’s standard, exemplified by Jesus Christ, which we all fail to meet. ”No one is good
but One, that is, God.” (Matthew 19:17)
JesusGod’s word, the Bible, provides details. “Behold, I will plead My case against you, because
you say, ‘I have not sinned.’” (Jeremiah 2:35) Man lies, steals and commits adultery. “But I say to
you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his
heart.” (Matthew 5:28) Man worships the false gods of pagan religions and denies God through pop
philosophies. Man misrepresents God by twisting scripture “to their own destruction”
(2Peter 3:16) and spreading contrary doctrine “to the ruin of the hearers” (2Timothy 2:14). We also
make idols out of people and things by prioritizing them above, or even instead of, God. “No man
can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24) We have not always, if at all, loved God with our whole
hearts. (The Greatest Commandment-Matthew 22:37-38). We have not loved all, if any, of our
neighbors as ourselves. (The Second Greatest Commandment-Matthew 22:39) Paul breaks down
the situation. “...Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters,
haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who…not only do the same but also
approve of those who practice them.” (Romans 1:29-32) Our works are exposed. “O God, you know
my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from you.” (Psalm 69:5) Likewise, our plans and
purposes are clear to Him. “…All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must
give account.” (Hebrews 4:13) Thus, denial is no defense. “If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1John 1:8)
JesusSome readers, at this point, may accept the universality of sin. Yet some think they haven’t
sinned much or sinned big. Or they just don’t understand why it matters. Every sin is wretched to a
holy God; evil is incompatible with Him. Sin rejects God’s authority. So it separates us from Him in
life and results in eternal separation in hell after death. “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:
23) To the bride, a wedding dress with even a single small stain is undesirable. Similarly, sin makes
us unclean-incapable of relating to our Creator and inadmissible to heaven. Maybe you already
knew about your sin problem, or maybe you just found out. Either way, unconditional admission is a
first step toward a new beginning. “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…”
(1Timothy 1:15)
JesusTwo Bible verses in the preceding paragraphs stated the omnipresence of and penalty for
sin. They seemed dooming. However, they were not whole passages. Instead, the first part of each
introduces the hope of the second part.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(1John 1:8-9)

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 6:23)




JesusGod hates sin, but He loves you tremendously. “For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
(John 3:16) Christ came into the world as a ransom for our deserved punishment. Though innocent,
He took our guilt upon Himself. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might
become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2Corinthians 5:21) Jesus paid the price for our sin. He
died on the cross so that we may be forgiven. Then He rose again-conquering death and
guaranteeing eternal life to all who receive Him. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) He has done what we could
never do for ourselves. Now He is waiting for those who will come. “The Lord…is longsuffering
toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9)
The God of all creation, loving and merciful, came in flesh and defeated death to save our souls
and give us new life. “…How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation..?” (Hebrews 2:3)
JesusJesus Christ is not one of multiple ways to God; He is the only way. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the
way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6) But this
gift is available to everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done. “…Whoever calls
on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21) You cannot earn salvation. Church is edifying
but won’t save you; service helps others but won’t save you. “For by grace you have been saved
through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Nobody else can give it. Christian leaders, family and friends can
encourage and sharpen you, but they cannot save you. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for
there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
The only way to receive this gift is through faith. “…That if you confess with your mouth the Lord
Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
(Romans 10:9)
JesusTurn to God; put your faith in Him. Upon confession, the saved person is made new-spiritually
reborn. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new.” (2Corinthians 5:17) He also receives the Holy Spirit, “who is
the guarantee of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14), who works inside us toward Christlikeness.
Finally, the saved person’s life will evidence his rebirth and the presence of the Holy Spirit. “But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)
JesusThe sincere decision for Christ is not motivated by self-preservation or the desire to feel
good. It is a result of God's work in you to hate sin and want Him. The Lord knows true repentance
and belief. “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind.” (Jeremiah 17:10) That is His requirement.

JesusIf you want Christ in your life, here is one example of a prayer you might use. You can also
use your own words. The prayer itself does not save; Jesus saves. The prayer is your means to
express and confess. It is your first reply in the dialogue that God initiated.

    JesusDear God,
    JesusI am a sinner; please forgive me. I need you. I believe that Jesus
    Christ paid my debt on the cross and that you raised Him from the dead. I
    accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Please come into my heart,
    show me how to live, and bring me closer to you.
    JesusIn Jesus’ name, Amen.

JesusA lone Christian is an easy target for the enemy. See and learn from my mistakes in my
testimony. There are some essential steps which the new believer needs to take. Begin studying
your bible everyday (and never stop). Join a local, Bible-believing church and be baptized.
Fellowship with other Christians. Serve as you are led. Share as you are given opportunity. “As you
therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him…” (Colossians 2:6) Please take full
advantage of our website and linked Resources. Contact Us anytime. May God bless you.
Experience a saving,
life-changing, eternal relationship
with the God who loves you!
"Morning Has Broken"