This was our final challenge to the girls this year. Are you committed to Jesus Christ? REALLY committed? Are you all in...no matter what? If they had made the decision to follow Jesus and were completely committed to Him, we challenged them to wear a commitment ring as a reminder and symbol of their promise
to God.
But before they could choose a ring we asked them to examine themselves...Something we should all do! We asked, "Do all areas of your life match? If we lined you up in a row of your friends, would you stick out? Would they say you were different? Does Jesus seep out of you in every part of your life? At home? School? The workplace? Weekends?" And if who you say you are and how you actually live don't match up, then maybe it's time to see what God says about it:
2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.
Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?"
Examine yourselves. Is Christ Jesus really in you? Are you 100% committed to Him? Have you surrendered your entire life to Him? Do you pass the test? If so, AMEN!!! If you know you've failed His test, then maybe it's time to get it right. Maybe Jesus is calling you right now. I'd love to share with you His Good News.
Jesus says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We are all sinners. Every last one of us. And we can't have a relationship with God in our sin. He's holy, perfect...Heaven too. We can't have access to Him or Heaven living in our sin. He says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." He loves us so much that He made a way so we could have a relationship with Him. He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to be a sacrifice. Jesus, who was perfect, took the blame for our sin and died on the cross at Calvary. By doing this He made things right...He died for your sins and mine. He died in our place so that if we choose to believe in Him, we will not only have a relationship with Him, but have eternal life. When we die, we can know without a shadow of a doubt we will be in Heaven with Him for all of eternity. Amazing. Jesus didn't stay dead. On the third day of His death He rose from the grave. He 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." Once Jesus returned to Heaven He sent His Holy Spirit to us in His place. When we become saved through our confession of sin and acknowledging our belief in Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters us. He guides us, directs us, gives us power, hope, strength, joy, love, peace...I could go on forever! 2 Corinthians says, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!" Don't you see?!! All our sins are forgiven once we believe. Jesus looks on us as new creations...we are covered in His perfect blood. We can now have a relationship with Him. He can now start to "transform our minds" and change our lives. We now have help, no longer failing at those daily checklists of doing good works. His Spirit begins to guide and direct us...your life will completely change. Once you have found Jesus-you will have found your complete purpose in life.
So what must you do to be saved? He says you need to repent of your sins. Tell Him you are sorry for your sins and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. He says you must believe...so do just that. Tell Him that you believe that He is Lord and you believe that Jesus died for your sins and God raised Him to life on that third day. Share with Him that you want to surrender your entire life to Him and that you're willing to allow Him to lead and guide every area of your life no matter the cost. Pour out your heart to God during this time-He'll hear you.
And when you're done praying...go and do it. Belief in Jesus is an action word. His Holy Spirit will guide you. Start reading His Word, He will teach you! Start praying. Let someone know you've made this commitment to help you along the way.
Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ is not something to take lightly! But, if He is drawing you to Him-don't wait any longer. Make the commitment that will change your life forever.
Lea :)
**Read this stuff for yourself. Here are the verses I used, as well as a few more.
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 10:9
Romans 12:1-2
2 Corinthians 5:17-21