Right now you might be saying, “What free gift??”
It’s the gift of “salvation” — but what is salvation? First, let’s see what salvation is not.
Salvation is NOT the same thing as “religion.”
That’s right — when you have a girlfriend or boyfriend (or you get married), do you want a “religious experience” with that person, or do you want a relationship with them? You want a relationship, of course! The same holds true with God — He just wants a one-on-one relationship with you, like you would have with a friend. The difference is, there’s no way to “earn” this gift of a relationship with God, because it’s free. In fact, the Bible says that it is “by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast,” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Do you remember when you were younger? At Christmas when your mom or dad gave you Christmas gifts, did you have to pay for them? Of course not. The same holds true with God.
But what if you’re already a “good person”?
Maybe you already believe in God, haven’t killed anyone, and all that? Why should you care about salvation? First of all, there’s no such thing as a “good person.” God says in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We are all separated from God by sin — until we ask Jesus into our hearts. Secondly, it isn’t enough to just believe there is a God. Jesus said that unless you are “born again,” you cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Being “born again” means more than just believing that Jesus Christ/God exists — it means asking Jesus into your heart by faith, totally relying on what He did on the cross for you. He has forgiven all of your sins.
So you think that you’ve done some “horrible” things?
You’re a “bad person”? You might be thinking that there’s no way God could forgive you. The truth is, God says in John 6:37 that anyone who comes to Him will not be cast out! Remember that if you could save yourself (by being “good,” or becoming a church member, or even by being water-baptized), there would have been no point in Jesus dying on the cross. He died because there is no way you can save yourself.
To receive God’s free gift, you just need to ask Him for it. Like this:
Jesus, thank you for dying for me. I want you to be Lord of my life now. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Heal me, and give me the fire and the power to live my life for you. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
It’s a one-on-one relationship
Now you have a one-on-one relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will guide and direct your life as you talk and listen to Him as your new best friend! Remember that God won’t ever hurt you — so when bad things happen or people in this world try, it is not from God (John 10:10). Set good boundaries and God will help you make good choices.