New Life - A New Start - A New Man (or Woman)
Jesus said, "Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it". If you have decided to give up your old style of life and live in dependence on Jesus, you have found that gate. You can make a new start and live a new life. Jesus can give you the power to live a better life, at the end of which you will not be judged for the wrong things you did. At the Judgment, which all must face, you will have Jesus' goodness reckoned to your credit. As in the days before Jesus, when blood had to be poured out to take away the guilt of sin, your sin has been removed by the blood of Jesus. ( see The Cross )
The end of this life will be only a beginning as Jesus promised that he was going to prepare a place for his followers - after death; resurrection (rising to life) and a place in Heaven.
You will find yourself in conflict with the world around you, which is still determined to carry on rejecting Jesus setting its own standards and trusting in its own righteousness. Happily he promised to leave his Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen and teach you in your new life of aiming to please God. Jesus can be your peace. (This peace is from the Hebrew word Shalom, which means wholeness and harmony - everything working smoothly - being right with God)
To start on "The Way", you can pray a sinner’s prayer such as the one below.
Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me that I need to be saved from the sin which is part of my human nature. I believe you died for me even though you know what I am like. I am sorry for my sins and I want to trust in your blood to make me clean.
I want to be forgiven for all the wrong things I have done and to go on being forgiven for the ways I am sure to let you down in the future.
I want to stop trying to run my life my way, and to trust you to guide me.
Please help me to trust you for deliverance from my problems.
I want to turn my back on my old life and rely on your promise of strength from your Holy Spirit to live a new life for you.
Please teach me more each day about your truth and help me to grow to love and trust you more. Please help me to be renewed in my attitudes to other people.
Amen
If you have prayed this prayer, may we encourage you to go on from this decision by daily bible study * and prayer times, attending a beginner's course ( like the Alpha Course) and by joining a local church. Churches vary in their style of worship and teaching, so you might need to try a few to find one where you are welcomed and taught from the Bible. This could be difficult for one so new in the faith, but you will have to trust in Jesus’ leading.
It will encourage you greatly, and delight Jesus, if you tell someone about your decision. It will be especially good to tell someone who will encourage and pray for you. We would like to hear from you.
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What next ?
This is only the beginning of an adventure that will last into eternity.
The last thing Jesus told his disciples before returning to Heaven was to make people from all nations into disciples and baptise them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. To find out more click Baptism.
* For bible study you will need a copy in a translation you understand well, and some suitable daily notes (the references on this website came from the New International Version )
"The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."
(Numbers 6 v24-26)
To hear this blessing in Hebrew click Aaronic Blessing