Wilmore Free Methodist Church

Many people spend all of their lives searching for meaning, and for something—anything—to fill that void inside. Some try relationships, some try financial success, some try alcohol or drugs…but in the end, none of those things really helps. There is still something missing.

God Is Missing

You were created by God to have a relationship with Him, and without Him, life can seem meaningless. We’ve all felt that way, and here is the reason why: because of sin, a condition into which all of us were born, our relationship with God was broken.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
—Romans 3:23

Our Relationship with God Is Very Important

It is very important that this relationship be restored, not just because of the emptiness we feel without it, but because of the eternal consequences involved. The Bible says that because of sin, our relationship with God is broken. As a result of this sin, we will suffer an eternal broken relationship with God—we will be separated from Him forever in a physical and spiritual death, often called “Hell.”

“…for the wages of sin is death…”
—Romans 6:23

This is a critical situation, but there is hope.

God Sent His Son to Earth to Restore Our Relationship with Him

Because God loves us and wants to have a relationship with us, He sent His son, Jesus, to earth. Jesus lived a life without sin to pay the penalty for our sin. (To read Jesus’ story, look in the Bible, in the book of Matthew or John.) Jesus died in our place so that our sin may be forgiven and our relationship with God may be restored.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish,but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

We Must Respond to God’s Search for Us

The Bible says that believing in Jesus puts us back in relationship with God. This is very simple, yet complex at the same time:

• Believing in Jesus is a serious decision of a sincere heart, mind and will.
• Believing in Jesus means believing that Jesus is God’s sinless Son.
• Believing in Jesus means confessing to God that we are sinners and that we need Jesus in order to have a relationship with God.
• Believing in Jesus means turning from sin, and with God’s help, choosing to do right and not wrong.
• Believing in Jesus means recognizing Jesus as the Lord and Guide of life, and becoming part of the community of Christ’s followers, the Church.

The Relationship Begins Here

A relationship with God begins in your heart, by believing in, or having faith in, Jesus. Then, pray to God, confess your sin and ask Him for forgiveness. You might pray something like this:

“Jesus, show mercy to me, because I realize I am a sinner. I believe that you came and died for me. Please forgive me for neglecting You and living in ways that go against Your will for me, and save me by bringing me into eternal relationship with You. With Your help, I now turn from my sins. I place my trust in You, and will seek to be baptized in Your name, following faithfully Your example in all things. Help me now and always to live for You in this world.”

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

As you ask Jesus to have mercy upon you and answer your cry for help, God responds and meets you through His Holy Spirit, who enters your heart, cleanses you of your sin, and adopts you as a child of God, giving you a new life. The relationship is a two way street: you calling on Jesus, and Jesus answering your prayer.

The Relationship Goes on…

Vibrant relationships involve ongoing commitment and nurture, and in this regard, a relationship with God is no different. This involves talking and listening to God through prayer, reading the Bible, worshiping Him in a good church, participating in the Lord’s Supper, among other important things. Please begin to do these things—God will use them to meet with you and help you grow as His child.

If you have begun a relationship with God and believe in Jesus, please contact one of the members of the pastoral staff by phone or in person, or e-mail us at office@wfmc.net. We would like to celebrate this decision with you, encourage and pray for you, and help you grow as a follower of Jesus.