Hope is the glimmer of light, promising answers. The dawning of possibility. But for there to be hope, there must first be the recognition of a problem.
The realization that there is something wrong, something needing an answer. That is why you are here.
Hope is the promise offered by Jesus, who is the Son of God. He offers eternal life with God in Heaven to any who will admit they are in need of His forgiveness and healing. The truth is simple. Everyone, and yes that means you, has sinned and is unable by their own efforts to have a good relationship with God. That is the problem that needs an answer. That answer, that offer of hope is Jesus. His death on the cross payed the cost of your sin. That is, if you are willing to accept His gift.
Romans 4:25 “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” The hope we need is found in that death and resurrection. To accept His offer of hope, to accept His offer of salvation, we simply need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that His sacrifice, His death will pay for our sin. The result of that belief, also known as faith, will lead us to follow Jesus as Lord.
The reason that the result of this faith is to follow Jesus is due to one simple truth, we no longer want to live in sin, which as we started with, is the problem that led us to need hope. Sin was the problem. Being right with God is the answer, and that is lived out by following Jesus.
The common prayer or conversation with Jesus that recognizes this faith and decision is “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.” If you agree with this prayer, take this moment to use it. Talk to God and offer your life to Him that He might fill you with hope and direction.
Once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord, tell a friend. May God bless you and grant you a life of adventure and wonder.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 3:23 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV
When I was in my early twenties I was invited to the newly- formed Beacon Hill Baptist Church, by my big sister June. I had not ever been exposed to the Gospel nor owned a Bible until a few years earlier. I had bought a Bible from a door to door salesman because I had heard “Every house ought to have a Bible.” I hadn’t used it. I continued to go to the church. It seemed Southern Baptist Churches healed study courses periodically as the very young new pastor; Bill Robinson followed all the rules. I attended the study course “What Baptist’s Believe” taught by another new young preacher, Austin Hunt even more to follow Baptist traditions. On the last night of the week- long study and the first time anyone knew of, he gave an invitation for anyone wanting to accept Jesus as their Savior. It was meant just for me and my husband Harold. We were the only ones accepting the Lord. I have been going regularly to that church for well over sixty years and have been blessed by every year of it.
