A special friendship with God

The problem of sin is bigger than we think. We disobey God and fail to live up to his standard. We find it easier to sin than to do what pleases God. We fail in our thoughts, our words and our actions.

The problem of sin is more serious than we think. Because God is holy, and all sin is a failure of God’s standard, sin must be punished. The punishment is to be separated from God forever. Because of sin it is impossible for us to be God’s friends.

God knows all about our sin and how it separates us from him. He also knows that we are not able to do anything about our sin. We can’t stop sinning. And we can’t put things right. But he still loves us and wants us to know his friendship. Because he loves us he has made it possible for our sin to be forgiven and for us to share in his purity.

The part of the Bible that says, "God so loved the world…" goes on to say, "that he gave his only Son…" (John chapter 3 verse 16). God sent his Son to show us just how much he loves us. His son came into the world, born as a baby. He was given the name Jesus and grew up to be a man. He never thought, said or did anything wrong. In fact he did and said many amazing things that proved he was God’s Son. The most amazing thing he did was to die on a cross for us. Jesus death was not like that of anybody else. Jesus said about his death "I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No-one takes it from me but I lay it down of my own accord." (John chapter 10, verses 17 & 18). The Bible says that Jesus did this so that he could take the punishment for our sins, so we could know the forgiveness of God.

God was pleased with His Son and so he was raised to life again three days after he died. The Lord Jesus is alive in Heaven today. When we put our trust in Him he makes it possible for us to have a special friendship with God that lasts forever.

I think you would agree that what Jesus did for us, taking our punishment, is an amazing demonstration of His love. It also helps us to realise how much God wants us to have a special friendship with Him.

What do we have to do to have this special friendship and the gift of eternal life? Well the verse from the Bible we have already mentioned, John chapter 3 verse16, tells us. It says, "…Whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life".

What does it mean to believe in Jesus? It means to believe that he died so we could be forgiven and have a special friendship with God. It means to trust Jesus for forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. It means to make Jesus and his teaching number one in our life.

Are you ready to do that? If you are tell Jesus, by talking to him in prayer, that you believe that he died for you. Ask Him to forgive your sin. Ask Him to give you the gift of eternal life. Ask Him to give you a fresh start in life in a new, and special, friendship with God.

The Bible says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (that means to trust Jesus and pray to Him) will be saved (saved from what their sin deserves and given the gift of eternal life)."

Once you have prayed in this way the next important thing to do is find some other Christians who you can meet with for encouragement. It’s also good to tell someone else, someone who does not know Jesus that you have started to trust Him.