After you’ve learned the first truth of Foundations you’re ready to ask Jesus into your heart. Adults call this the “faith moment” – and it’s an important decision that changes a kid’s life forever. The Bible says that the moment you trust Jesus for salvation, your sins are forgiven and you become a son or daughter of God. (See Foundations Truth #1.)
Understanding “faith”
Saving faith is like a coin, with two parts: First, you need to have the right info about yourself and Jesus. You need to understand that your sin has separated you from God. And you need to know that only Jesus – the biblical version of Jesus – can rescue you (John 8:24). Second, you need to have the right attitude toward yourself and Jesus. This means that you need to turn from your way to God’s way. The attitude of faith says, “I recognize I’m selfish, and I want to go God’s way now (Acts 2:37-38).”
Really forgiven
The moment you turn to Christ in faith, everything changes. Your faith moment is your life’s defining moment. Your past is forgiven right away – no matter who you are or what you’ve done (Romans 3:22). Your present is transformed, because in one moment God comes to live inside your heart (Ephesians 1:13). And your future is promised, which means you’ll go to heaven someday to be with Jesus and his other followers.
The defining moment
The Bible says the faith moment happens when we use our words and really believe what we’re saying:
Romans 10:9 (NLT) If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
It doesn’t take a lifetime of trying to be a good person to be made right with God; it happens in a single moment. Are you ready to do that? Talk with a parent or leader about it and pray a prayer like this:
“Jesus, I recognize I’m a sinner. I know that you died on the cross and rose from the dead so that I could have life. I’m turning from my sin now, and I’m turning to you in faith. I trust in you alone to forgive my sin and give me new life. Thank you for this free gift. Amen.”
Find more on this topic at pursueGOD.org/foundations.
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