He Is Risen!

On this Easter Sunday, we celebrate the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. He was crucified, but on the third day he was raised—He is risen! Is there any news more wonderful than this?  Certainly not!
 
When Jesus died on that cross, He died for us, for our sins. If you believe in Jesus, you will be saved.
 
What does that mean, exactly, to be saved? It means that you believe in God. God loves you so much that He sacrificed His own Son (Jesus) to die on the cross for your sins. “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
 
How can you be saved?

First, you must recognize that you are a sinner and that you are in need of a Savior. (And, we are all sinners.) Second, you must want to be forgiven of your sins and want to be a better person. Next, you must have faith in your heart and believe in God. Then, you can be saved.
 
The Bible is clear on how to receive salvation. “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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” ~ Romans 10:9-10   
 
“He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’” ~ Acts 16:30-31
 
This is a free gift from Jesus—he doesn’t ask for you to do anything but believe in Him in order to receive it. This is the most precious gift you can receive. We may die here on this earth, but we will live forever in His kingdom of Heaven, as long as we believe in Him.
 
Once you believe in God, you will want to live a very different life than the one you have been living. You will want to live a better life, one that is pleasing to God. You will want to share His love and grace with everyone you know. By doing this, you will be obeying His law and doing His will. This is what God wants from you. And, you will want to give it to Him, once you realize what all He has given to you.
 
If you don’t know Him yet, I beg you to seek Him out. Read the Bible and make up your own mind. Have conversations about God with people that you know are saved. I would even suggest you do research online. There are many great resources out there at your disposal. (I especially like this article: What Does It Mean to Be Saved? By Cecil Maranville)
 
And, I would be overjoyed to share with you why I love God and believe in Him. Feel free to reach out to me anytime!