You cannot grow spiritually without first having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in which you have given Him control of your life. Without this relationship, there’s nothing to grow, because it’s the relationship you’re growing!
1. God loves you.
Because of God’s love for all people, He desires that you have unbroken fellowship with Him. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-6)
2. You are a sinner.
All people are sinners in that they disobey God. Sin is choosing to go your own way and do your own things as opposed to being obedient to God. (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10)
3. Sin separates you from God.
Sin forms a barrier that prevents you from entering into unbroken fellowship with God, who is holy. As an unholy sinner, you can’t have fellowship with God. You are headed for a Christless eternity that the Bible calls hell. (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23)
4. You can’t save yourself.
People often think that through their efforts they can overcome the sin barrier between themselves and God. That isn’t true. There’s nothing you can do to restore the broken relationship with God. You can’t earn God’s salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 4:4-5)
5. God sent His Son Jesus to remove the sin barrier.
The death of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, removed the sin barrier between you and God. Jesus died for your sins, taking your punishment on Himself. God did for you in Jesus Christ what you couldn’t do for yourself. (I Peter 2:23; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
6. You can receive Jesus Christ through faith.
Faith is trusting in what Jesus has done for you rather than trusting your own efforts to restore fellowship with God. Faith is complete reliance on Christ to put you in right relationship with God, allowing Him to live His life through you. Faith also involves repentance, or genuine sorrow, for sin and a willingness to turn away from sin. (John 14:6; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10)
7. Through prayer you can trust in Jesus Christ.
Admit to God that you are a sinner. Express sorrow or repentance for your sinfulness. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Invite Jesus into your life as Savior and Lord. Commit yourself to live for Him.