How to Have A

Personal Relationship

with Jesus

1. Realize Your Condition

The Bible reveals that man has a problem that is keeping him from having a personal relationship with Jesus—a sin problem.

Romans 5:12 teaches us that since Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on earth, a sin nature has been present in all people. This sin separates us from Jesus—both right now, and for eternity.

Isaiah 59:2 says, "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you..."

In order to have a personal relationship with Jesus and have eternal life with Him in Heaven, you must admit you are lost in sin.

Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” 

Sin is any act contrary to God’s laws and commandments, and those sins that you have committed separate you from God. Breaking God's law has a punishment, just like breaking civil law does (like a speeding ticket).

Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The “wage” or payment for our sin is spiritual death and eternal separation from God.

2. Recognize Your Inability

Religion and good works are not the answer to getting into Heaven.

Religions try to create their own ways to God. Their systems may seem logical, but they cannot bridge the gap created by our sin. 

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” 

In other words, our thoughts and ways are not what matter. God’s Word, the Bible, provides true answers of grace and forgiveness. 

In Ephesians 2:8–9 the Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

3. Receive the Good News

Although we can't do anything to save ourselves, there's good news: Jesus provided the way!

Even though we were lost and separated from God, He loved us; and because God of His love, He sent His Son Jesus to die on the Cross and rise from the dead three days later to take the punishment for our sin. 

Romans 5:8, says, “But God commendeth [demonstrates] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

John 3:16 explains, “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.” 

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, He became the payment for our sin. He died so that we would not have to; and He rose again to conquer death for us. He took our place as our Substitute!

Now, we do not have to pay for our sin ourselves. By His grace, salvation is now provided for us and offered to us freely. 

4. Repent and Believe

In order to have a relationship with God and an eternal home in Heaven, you must turn from your sin and your own efforts to save yourself and instead place your full trust in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of your sin and for eternal life.

Repentance is not about turning over a new leaf or reforming your lifestyle; it's about having a heart change about sin—seeing it as God sees it and wanting deliverance from it.

Belief means more than just agreeing with some facts about Jesus. Rather, it is completely relying upon Jesus and Him alone to forgive your sins, satisfy God's just wrath, and declare you righteous before a holy God.

Roman 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 

This is a promise directly from God that if you will pray to Him, confess that you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive your sins, and turn to Him alone to be your Savior, then He promises to save you and give you the free gift of eternal life.

You can make that decision today and call out to God for His forgiveness and begin a brand new personal relationship with Jesus Christ that will last from now through the rest of eternity. You'll never regret that decision!