When I started dating my wife, Rachelle, in college and wanted to get serious, I was willing to do whatever it took to show her how much I loved her. Can you imagine if rather than trying super hard, I instead asked her….Rachelle, what’s the bare minimum I need to do in this relationship for you to be interested? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the relationship would not have lasted very long!
The Bible teaches us that when we enter a relationship with God, there are specific steps that we need to take.
Step 1. Faith
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
We don’t just kind of believe or say a simple prayer. This is a heartfelt, I’m “All IN” for the rest of my life moment!
Step 2. Repent
Acts 3:19 – Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
We don’t just sort a kinda walk away from our sins. We do a complete U Turn! And God meets us there and helps us continue to honor Him!
Step 3. Confess
Romans 10:9 – If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
We don’t just say words to get what we want. We publicly declare our love for Jesus because we love him. Just like we would our spouse and children.
Step 4. Baptism
1 Peter 3:21 – And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.
Baptism isn’t just getting wet. It’s the pledge of doing our best for God for all the days of our life.
Step 5. Living the Christian Life
Living the Christian Life (Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will) When we go through the first four steps, we don’t just stay infants in Christ. We grow daily by focusing on Him and in turn figure out His will for our lives.
I began by sharing about my relationship with my wife, Rachelle. We began dating in February of 1992 in college. We were married in December 1996. At this writing, for 29 years I have been pursuing her. She is the love of my life.
In the summer of 1984 I began my relationship with Jesus. I walked through each step, and for the past 35 years I have pursued Jesus. I’m ALL IN in my pursuit of him and will be for the rest of my life.
How about you?
Are you looking for the bare minimum….or are you looking to take every step and continue to take every step in pursuing a relationship with Jesus?
