How to Begin to Follow Jesus

If you choose to follow Jesus, he will lead you into the intimate relationship your heart hungers to have with him. In the New Testament we are presented with specific how-to's for having a personal relationship with God through his son Jesus. In a moment you will be presented with a prayer you can express, when you so desire, that will cause that relationship to begin. It is a prayer you can pray anytime and anywhere.

Before you consider doing that, however, we want you to be familiar with statements the Bible makes that constitute the basis for that prayer. It's important for you to be assured that God who fashioned you wants to have a loving link with your heart and life. If you find yourself desiring to move toward him in this fashion, we want you to know that it is not specific wording that causes him to respond to you. Instead it is the sum of your motives, thoughts, and feelings behind those words that call him your way!

Here's what the Bible says about having that relationship with Jesus:

• God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
  
• This is eternal life: That we might know . . . the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom God has sent. John 17:3
  
• All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. The wages or result of that sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 3:23 and 6:23
  
• God demonstrates his love toward us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
  
• Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes unto the Father but by me." John 14:6
  
• As many as receive him, to them he gives the right to become children of God-- even to those who believe in his name. John 1:12
  
• By grace we are saved through faith. It is not of ourselves, it is a gift of God. It is not result of anything we do so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
  

Toward the end of the Bible Jesus' words are quoted that frame all this into an invitation to follow him. Speaking of wanting to have entrance into our lives he said, "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and have fellowship or relationship with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20 This is what he earlier referred to as being "born again" or having a new birth. (John 3:1-8)

The very moment you act on these life giving statements, you will begin following Jesus and having a relationship with God through him! When the following prayer expresses what you're feeling, be assured God is ready . . . without pause or reservation . . . to have you become his son or daughter. If it is fitting, you can even pray this prayer right now at your computer,and he will hear you and begin responding to you in love!

Jesus, I want to know you and your Father in a personal and intimate way. Thank you for dying on the cross so my sin could be forgiven making it possible for me to relate to him. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for giving me eternal life. I ask you to begin making me the person you would like me to be. Thank you.

Beginning to follow Jesus is just that simple. However, if it seems too simple or you feel you'd like to talk in safely about this in more detail . . . without pressure of any kind, contact us at info@marincovenant.org or call us at 415-479-1360. We will help you. Nothing would delight us more than being able to assist you in coming to a comforting understanding of what you have just read or prayed.