Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
John 8:12 (NKJV)
This is amazing news!
God is holy (distinct from us and without sin) and just (He requires holiness and righteousness from anyone who desires to be in a right relationship with Him), and we are unholy (sinners by nature and by choice) and deserving of God’s righteous anger (1 Peter 1; Romans 1-3). This means that, apart from Christ, every person is separated from God due to their sin (Isaiah 59:2) and will pay the price for their sin: death (Romans 6:23). Further, none of us are able to earn or achieve a right relationship with God (Galatians 2; Ephesians 2).
Thankfully, Jesus Christ intervened on our behalf. Jesus, who is God, left heaven and came to earth to pay the death penalty for sin. He lived a sinless life and offered Himself as a perfect substitute, dying for our sins and in our place so that we might be forgiven of our sins and receive eternal life. His death satisfied the righteous demands of God and made it possible for sinners to be declared righteous and enter into a right relationship with God. Three days after His death, Jesus rose from the grave in victory over sin, death, and Satan. His resurrection assures His followers that they too will triumph over sin, death, and Satan!
Respond
First, we must repent. To repent means to change the way you think about God, sin, and yourself. It means to change the way you think about God, moving from open rebellion to humble submission. It means to change the way you think about sin, moving from viewing sin as something to be desired to viewing sin as something that destroys your relationship with God and with others. It means to change the way you think about yourself, moving from seeking to control your life to willingly surrendering your life to Jesus Christ.
Second, we must exercise faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Genuine faith includes knowledge (an understanding of the facts), assent (believing the facts are true), and trust (resolving to rely on the truth for life). Exercising saving faith means knowing the facts of Jesus Christ (He is God, He died for our sins, He rose from the dead, and He offers forgiveness, a transformed life, and eternal life to those who trust Him), believing those facts are true, and trusting in Jesus Christ and Him alone for forgiveness, change, and eternal life.
Can I become a follower of Jesus?
Yes - To Receive God’s Plan:
1) Admit your problem: being separated from God by sin. Recognize that you have sinned, need God’s solution and repent. 2) Believe Jesus Christ died for your sins and on the cross, was buried and rose from the dead. 3) Ask Jesus Christ to come in your life and He will give you salvation and a new beginning. 4) Receive Him now as your personal Lord, God and Savior of your life.
In Romans 10:9 and 13, the Bible tells us, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. “
A Suggested Prayer to Receive Jesus Christ
Dear Lord and Savior, I know that I have sinned against You and that I am not living within your plan. For this I ask forgiveness. I believe that you died for me and in doing so, paid the penalty for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin and now ask You to come take control of my life as my personal Savior. Help me now, to follow and obey You as Lord and to find Your perfect will for my life.