CENTRAL TO OUR FAITH
It isn’t easy to explain in a few short words who God, our Father is, what salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ means and the significance of the Holy Spirit’s tangible power and guidance in our every day lives. To invite God into your life by saying a full hearted “yes” to salvation in Jesus Christ is to experience a new dimension of life, making a difference both in the present and in eternity. Something hard to explain with only words! Christianity is truly no lifeless religion but a highly personal and living relationship with God himself.
JESUS IS AT THE HEART OF THE BIBLE
The most central in Christianity is Jesus Christ himself and faith in him. In the gospel of John 14:6 it says that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Jesus. So Jesus isn’t one way among others but the only way to God.
The bible speaks of God who so loved the world that he gave his only son, Jesus (John 3:16). He came to find what was lost and save it. He came to show who God is and to glorify him.
Therefore, where Jesus went, he touched and transformed people and situations. He healed, restored and freed those who came to him. But the ultimate purpose of his life was to give his life as a ransom for mankind and to once and for all unchain and rescue her from the power of sin, from that which hindered and separated us from fellowship with God.
WHAT IS SIN?
The bible talks about a foundational problem in humanity, which it calls sin. It is sin that prevents mankind from coming close to a holy, pure and righteous God without perishing. The basic nature of sin is mankind turning their back to God and therefore having another, erroneous orientation. Thereby mankind also misses Gods intention, both individually and in the fellowship he desires to have with us. According to the bible all mankind has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). It is also written that the the wages (consequence) of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
Only Jesus could pay the price of sin and give us our life back. That is why he suffered and died a torturous death on the cross despite baring no sin of his own. The collected sin of mankind and the consequences of that sin were concentrated on Jesus at that historic moment. He was pierced for our transgressions and it was the punishment of our sin that was laid on him so that we could find peace with God (Isaiah 53). God made him (Jesus) who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him we might stand righteous before God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus death on the cross was tremendous evidence of God’s infinite love to you and me (Romans 5:6-8). How do we respond to such love?
HOW CAN I BENEFIT FROM WHAT JESUS DID?
A person can be kind, pleasant and sympathetic, be rich and distinguished, or do a great number of good deeds but salvation in Jesus Christ does not come solely from any of these. Salvation can be forever unattained irrespective of how good or bad we seem to be or are. In the book of Ephesians we read that we are saved by grace, through faith, not of our own doing, it is the gift of God. Not because of our deeds, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is so simple, it can be hard – salvation is a gift, addressed to you! The gift is received by faith. Faith in what Jesus Christ has done for you on the cross. The offer is for everyone, and for now! Don’t wait to invite him into your life – one day it can be too late!
“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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
THE PRAYER OF SALVATION
A single, genuine, honest prayer to Jesus for forgiveness and to ask that he would come into your life with the power of salvation is enough to be saved for eternity. You can pray with your own words or use the prayer below. God is only a prayer away – and eternity only a heartbeat!
“Dear Father in heaven!
I respond to your invitation and come to you now in the name of Jesus Christ.
I come to you with all my sins, shortcomings and bad habits.
I turn away from evil and turn to you Jesus.
Come into my life and make me born again!
You are the living God’s son and I set my faith to you alone Jesus.
I confess that you are my Saviour and Lord.
Thanks you that you accept me as your child!
I open myself now to your Holy Spirit and receive all that you want to give me.
I will follow you and serve you for the rest of my life.
I pray in Jesus name.
Amen”
““Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Maybe you have prayed the prayer for the first time, or maybe you want to know more about the Christian faith?
You’re welcome for any reason to get in touch with us!
International Church Märsta
Street address: Östra Bangatan 2B, 19560 Arlandastad
Postal address: Box 203, 195 24 Märsta, Sweden
Tel: +46(0)739 43 03 60 · info@ichm.se
Org. No. 802464-3978 · BankGiro 846-1568