Lost and Found
All of us are lost. Born lost. From the moment of our conception. Before our first breath is even taken, we are bound by the enemy in sin. But, all of us can leave that old life behind and become a Christian.
”Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.“
Psalm 51:5 KJV
As I was reading through my mother’s Bible recently, I found a bookmark that has instructions for “How to Become a Christian”. I was intrigued by this because I have never come across a bookmark like this before and it outlines a quick list of scripture-based ways to lay the basic foundation before the heart of man.
I decided to share this here for others to read through and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the Gospel to you whether you are already following Christ or if this is your first time reading about our Lord.
I will also note here that in the future I will be writing a post about my mother’s Bible version. It is the “The Living Bible”, given to her by Grace United Methodist Bible School. That would place this version around the early 1970’s. I really enjoy the translation and the easy to read and understand text. I find some of the scriptures that I am very familiar with being revealed to me in a new way and with more profound truths.
Let Us Walk Together.
- The bookmark instructs us to first read Isaiah 1:18. God invites us to take up a personal conversation with Him and explains to us the truly dire situation we are faced with, but eludes to his solution to this given to us out of his grace.
”Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.“
Isaiah 1:18 KJV
- Now let us read Romans 3:23. Gods saving gift is given freely because all men are equal in sin.
”But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;“
Romans 3:21-23 KJV
- Then we will read John 3:36.
”He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.“
John 3:36 KJV
- Now let’s move to John 3:16, one of the Bible’s most used and profound verse’s. I am adding in the surrounding verse’s as well to add some context. The entire words of Christ here in John are so very powerful and a statement that penetrates right to the heart of man.
”And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.“
John 3:14-21 KJV
- Now turn to Romans 10:9-13.
”that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.“
Romans 10:9-13 KJV
- After reading the verses above humble yourself before the Lord and pray in this way:
”And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.“
Luke 18:13 KJV
- Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew and please read the full chapter if you can because he outlines those things we should not do when praying. Pray the prayer below humbled of heart and out loud:
”After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.“
Matthew 6:9-15 KJV
- For assurance in your salvation and the saving grace of our Lord through his Son Jesus, read from 1 John and John.
”And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.“
1 John 5:11-12 KJV
”My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.“
John 10:27-29 KJV
