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FOURSPIRITUAL LAWS“The Basics” Seriescreated byCru
FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWSCreated by // CruWhat does it take to begin a relationship with God? Devote yourselfto unselfish religious deeds? Become a better person so that Godwill accept you? You may be surprised that none of those things willwork. But God has made it very clear in the Bible how we can knowHim. These principles will explain how you can personally begin arelationship with God, right now, through Jesus Christ.CMT is a ministry of the Center for Mission Mobilization. campusministry.org // mobilization.org1
Just as there are physical lawsas therephysicallawsthatJustgovernthe arephysicaluniverse,governthe physicaluniverse,so thatare therespirituallaws thatgovernso aretherespirituallawsthatyour relationship with God.governyour relationship with God.11LAWLAWGod loves you and offers aGod loves you and offers awonderful plan for your life.wonderful plan for your life.(References contained in this booklet should be read(Referencesin thiswhereverbooklet shouldbe readin contextcontainedfrom the Biblepossible.)in context from the Bible wherever possible.)22
God’s Love“God so loved the world that He gave His oneand only Son, that who ever believes in Himshall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16,NIV).God’s Plan[Christ speaking] “I came that they might havelife, and might have it abundantly” [that itmight be full and meaningful] (John 10:10).Why is it that most people are not experiencingthe abundant life?Because.3
2LAWMan is sinful and separated from God.Therefore, he cannot know and experienceGod’s love and plan for his life.Man Is Sinful“All have sinned and fall short of the glory ofGod” (Romans 3:23).Man was created to have fellowship with God;but, because of his own stubborn self-will, hechose to go his own independent way and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will,characterized by an attitude of active rebellionor passive indifference, is an evidence of whatthe Bible calls sin.4
Man Is Separated“The wages of sin is death” [spiritual separationfrom God] (Romans 6:23).Holy GodThis diagram illustrates that God is holyand man is sinful. Agreat gulf separatesthe two. The arrowsillustrate that man iscontinually trying toreach God and theabundant life throughSinful Manhis own efforts, suchas a good life, philosophy, or religion—but heinevitably fails.The third law explains the only way to bridgethis gulf.5
3LAWJesus Christ is God’s only provision forman’s sin. Through Him you can knowand experience God’s love and planfor your life.He Died In Our Place“God demonstrates His own love toward us, inthat while we were yet sinners, Christ died forus” (Romans 5:8).He Rose from the Dead“Christ died for our sins.He was buried.Hewas raised on the third day, according to theScriptures.He appeared to Peter, then to thetwelve. After that He appeared to more thanfive hundred.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–6).6
He Is the Only Way to God“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth,and the life; no one comes to the Father butthrough Me’” (John 14:6).GodJesusManThis diagram illustrates that God has bridgedthe gulf that separates us from Him by sendingHis Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in ourplace to pay the penalty for our sins.It is not enough just to know these three law s.7
LAW4We must individually receive Jesus Christas Savior and Lord; then we can know andexperience God’s love and plan for our lives.We Must Receive Christ“As many as received Him, to them He gave theright to become children of God, even to thosewho believe in His name” (John 1:12).We Receive Christ Through Faith“By grace you have been saved through faith;and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;not as a result of works that no one shouldboast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).When We Receive Christ, We Experiencea New Birth(Read John 3:1–8.)8
The following explains how you can receiveChrist:You Can Receive Christ Right Nowby Faith Through Prayer(Prayer is talking with God)God knows your heart and is not so concernedwith your words as He is with the attitude ofyour heart. The following is a suggested prayer:Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You fordying on the cross for my sins. I open thedoor of my life and receive You as mySavior and Lord. Thank You for forgivingmy sins and giving me eternal life. Takecontrol of the throne of my life. Make methe kind of person You want me to be.Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?If it does, I invite you to pray this prayer rightnow, and Christ will come into your life, as Hepromised.10
How to Know That Christ Is in Your LifeDid you receive Christ into your life? According toHis promise in Revelation 3:20, where is Christ rightnow in relation to you? Christ said He would comeinto your life. Would He mislead you? On what authority do you know God has answered your prayer?(The trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word.)The Bible Promises Eternal Life toAll Who Receive Christ“God has given us eternal life, and this life is in HisSon. He who has the Son has the life; he who doesnot have the Son of God does not have the life.These things I have written to you who believe inthe name of the Son of God, in order that you mayknow that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11–13).Thank God often that Christ is in your life andthat He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). Youcan know on the basis of His promise that Christlives in you and that you have eternal life from thevery moment you invite Him in. He will notdeceive you.11
An important reminder.Do Not Depend on FeelingsThe promise of God’s Word, the Bible—not ourfeelings—is our authority. The Christian livesby faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of GodHimself and His Word. This train diagram illustrates the relationship among fact (God and HisWord), faith (our trust in God and His Word),and feeling (the result of our faith and obedience). (Read John 14:21.)The train willrun with orwithout thecaboose. However, it would be useless to attempt to pull thetrain by the caboose. In the same way, as Christians we do not depend on feelings or emotions,but we place our faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God and the promises of His Word.12
Now That You Have Received ChristThe moment you received Christ by faith, as anact of the will, many things happened, includingthe following:Christ came into your life (Revelation 3:20;Colossians 1:27).Your sins were forgiven (Colossians 1:14).You became a child of God (John 1:12).You received eternal life (John 5:24).You began the great adventure for which Godcreated you (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17;1 Thessalonians 5:18).Can you think of anything more wonderful thatcould happen to you than receiving Christ?Would you like to thank God in prayer rightnow for what He has done for you? By thankingGod, you demonstrate your faith.To enjoy your new life to the fullest .13
Suggestions for Christian GrowthSpiritual growth results from trusting JesusChrist. “The righteous man shall live by faith”(Galatians 3:11). A life of faith will enable youto trust God increasingly with every detail ofyour life, and to practice the following:G Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7).R Read God’s Word daily (Acts 17:11);begin with the Gospel of John.O Obey God moment by moment(John 14:21).W Witness for Christ by your life and words(Matthew 4:19; John 15:8).T Trust God for every detail of your life(1 Peter 5:7).H Holy Spirit—allow Him to control andempower your daily life and witness(Galatians 5:16,17; Acts 1:8).14
Fellowship in a Good ChurchGod’s Word instructs us not to forsake “theassembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews10:25). Several logs burn brightly together, butput one aside on the cold hearth and the firegoes out. So it is with your relationship withother Christians.If you do not belong to a church, do not wait tobe invited. Take the initiative; call the pastor ofa nearby church where Christ is honored andHis Word is preached. Start this week, and makeplans to attend regularly.Special Materials Are Availablefor Christian GrowthIf you have come to know Christ personallythrough this presentation of the gospel or wouldlike further help in getting to know Christ better,two sites are recommended:www.startingwithGod.com or www.growinginChrist.comIf you still have questions, visit:www.whoisJesus- really.com or www.everystudent.com15
If this booklet has been helpful to you, pleaseshare it with someone else.To encourage the widest distribution possible, thisbooklet is available at a nominal price for use byyou or your organization. You may place your nameor the name of your organization in the space below.9 781563 990199ISBN 1-56399-019-9Written by Bill Bright. Copyright 2007 Bright Media Foundation andCampus Crusade for Christ. Formerly Copyright 1965-2006 CampusCrusade for Christ, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet maybe changed in any way or reproduced in any form without written permissionfrom Campus Crusade for Christ. Published by Campus Crusade for Christ,375 Highway 74 South, Suite A, Peachtree City, GA 30269.Printed in the United States of America. www.campuscrusade.org
so are there spiritual laws that govern your relationship with God. (References contained in this booklet should be read in context from the Bible wherever possible.) 2 God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life. LAW1 Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe,
