Growing in Friendship with God

*All scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise indicated by the following abbreviations:
NKJV – New King James Version
NIV – New International Version

You Can Be Confident of Your Salvation

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

What is salvation?

Salvation is the change that takes place in our lives when we receive Christ as our Savior. Our decision to follow Christ marks the beginning of our friendship with God. Once we have made that decision, we can be confident that we have peace with God.

Who needs salvation?

Everyone. The Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We all come into this world with a sinful nature.

Why do we need salvation?

Because our sinful nature separates us from God, resulting in our spiritual death.
The Bible says, "The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so" (Romans 8:7, NIV). Separated from God, we are unable to know God or to please him.

What must I do to be saved?

We must admit that we need God and ask Jesus to be our Savior. Click "Choosing Friendship with God" to learn more.

Something to Think About:

Through Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, we have been forgiven. When we accept God’s gift of forgiveness and choose to follow him, we enter a friendship with God. He receives us as friends, and we become new creations, free to fulfill God’s plans and purpose for our lives (2 Corinthians 5:17).

You Have Been Completely Forgiven

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

How do I receive forgiveness?

By asking God to forgive me. When we turn to God and ask for forgiveness, he forgives us completely, as his Word promises. This begins the process of repentance in us—a complete change of heart.

What is repentance and why is it necessary?

Repentance is a change of heart or a change of mind about our sin.
Repentance was Jesus’ first command (Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 4:17).
When we love God, we want to please him through obedience (John 14:21, 23; John 15:14).
Through repentance we experience not only God’s forgiveness, but also God’s cleansing work in our lives, which produces lasting change in us (1 John 1:9).

What leads us to repentance?

Repentance begins with God moving toward us:

God draws the sinner to repentance. Jesus said that no one comes to him unless the Father draws him/her (John 6:65; John 6:44).
Our realization of both God’s goodness and his patience with us leads us to the change of heart and mind that is repentance (Romans 2:4).

What is the evidence of genuine repentance?

Godly sorrow for sin (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Confession of sin and a plea for mercy (1 John 1:9).
Turning from sinful ways (Proverbs 28:13).
Turning to the ways of righteousness (Colossians 3:1-14).
Repayment when possible for wrongs we have done (Luke 19:8-9).

Something to Think About:

The moment we turn to God and ask for his forgiveness, we are completely forgiven. Forgiveness then opens the door for us to repent, or change our minds about sin, and to think and act differently. A change of mind produces in us the desire to keep coming back to God for forgiveness when we fail to obey him. We take on a new way of living, learning to walk in God’s ways and asking forgiveness when we sin.

You Can Publicly Declare Your Faith through Baptism

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).

What is the meaning of the word baptize?

Baptize means to dip, to overwhelm, to plunge, or to submerge.

Why does the believer need to be baptized?

Because baptism declares our decision and our love for Jesus to the world, and it opens the door for us to share with others what God has done in our hearts and minds (Acts 8.36-38).

What takes place when we get baptized?

We are identified with Jesus Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5, 11; Colossians 2:12).
In response to our obedience in baptism, miracles can take place in our lives. We can experience God’s power to overcome sinful habits that we cannot overcome with our own strength alone. (Romans 6:11-18).

What do I need to do to prepare for baptism?

Salvation—your decision to follow Christ—comes first, then baptism. You can click on the "Choosing Friendship with God" link to learn more about following Christ. Once you make this decision, you are ready for baptism (Acts 8.36-38).

Something to Think About:

Baptism is your opportunity to publicly declare your faith in Christ. Through baptism, you obey Christ’s command and open the door to share with others who he is to you and what he has done in your life. In response to your obedience, God can move miraculously in your life, helping you to overcome sinful habits and issues that you cannot overcome on your own. As with all acts of obedience, baptism draws us closer to God in friendship.

You Can Understand God’s Truth, the Bible

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

God gave us the gift of his Word, and he wants us to understand it. As believers, we have the Holy Spirit, the Helper, living inside of us to teach us and guide us into all truth (John 14:26, 16:13). Invite the Holy Spirit to help you as you study the Word, and he will increase your understanding.

What is the Bible?

God’s Word (John 1:1; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
The history of God’s interaction with humankind.
God’s instruction manual for living on earth (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Why do we study the Word of God?

To know Jesus (John 17:3).
To know the truth (John 8:31-32).
To grow in Christ (1 Peter 2:2).
For instruction in how to live (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
For strength and encouragement (Romans 15:4).

How do I begin my study of the Word?

Begin by reading daily in the gospel of John and in the other gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Also include the Psalms in your reading.
Take good notes as you listen to sermons and continue to review those notes so that you grow in your understanding of godly principles (Romans 10:17).
Look for opportunities to apply what you are learning to your daily life.

Why should I memorize scriptures?

Because the Word of God:

Keeps you from sin (Psalm 119:11).
Brings you success (Joshua 1:8).
Increases your understanding of Jesus (Colossians 1:10).

A Note on Choosing a Bible:

There are many translations of the Bible. While some are considered more accurate and/or easier to understand than others, I encourage you to find one that you can understand. My personal favorite is the New American Standard Bible.

Something to Think About:

As you study the Word of God, ask the Holy Spirit to help you observe what the Word says, interpret correctly what the Word means, and accurately apply God’s truth to your own life.

You Can Talk to God through Prayer

"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

What is prayer?

Prayer is communication with God.

Why should I pray?

As with any friendship, communication is critical in our friendship with God. Through prayer we share our hearts with God and learn more about his heart. We grow in intimacy with God as we spend time with him.

How do I pray?

Here are some helpful thoughts:

Approach God with an attitude of humility (1 Peter 5:5-7).
Approach God with reverence and respect (Matthew 22:37).
Be yourself. You don’t have to use flowery words or religious sounding phrases (Matthew 6:7).
Make your requests known to the Lord (Philippians 4:6).

Be specific.
Be persistent (Luke 18:1-7).
Be patient (Psalm 27:14).
Be earnest and fervent (James 5:16).
Be humble (Luke 18:14).

Follow the command of Jesus by praying in his name. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we acknowledge who he is, God’s only Son (John 15:16).
Be as consistent as possible in your prayer life. Spend time with God daily (Luke 18:1).
Pray at a time when you are at your best.

What can I do while I pray?

Praise – Applauding God for who he is and what he has done (Psalm 63:3,150:2).
Worship/Waiting – Loving God and surrendering to him in quiet expectation (Psalm 130:6; Isaiah 40:31).
Confession – Agreeing with God concerning sin and/or his declarations (Psalm 66:18, 139:23; 1 John 1:9).
Scripture-Praying – Word-enriched prayer. Remembering, recounting, and rehearsing God’s Word in our hearts—meditating on his Word and praying the Word back to him (Psalm 119:93; Isaiah 55:8-11; Jeremiah 23:29; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Intercession – Taking the needs of others to God in prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Ephesians 6:18).
Petition – Praying concerning our personal needs (Philippians 4:6; 1 Chronicles 4:9-10).
Thanksgiving – Expressing gratitude to God (Psalm 100:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Listening – Opening our hearts in preparation to receive what the Lord may desire to communicate to us (Acts 9:10; Ecclesiastes 5:2; James 1:19).

Something to Think About:

Prayer is communication with God. Prayer builds our relationship with God and connects us to him as no other activity can. Your friendship with God will grow as you spend time with him in prayer. Intimacy with God deepens as we pray.

You Can Share the Good News

"Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us" (1 Thessalonians 2:8).

One of the greatest privileges and opportunities we have in life is telling others about our friendship with God. There are several ways to do this, but first let’s identify what it is that we have the honor of sharing.

What is the "Good News"?

Anyone can become God’s friend.
All of our sins can be forgiven.
There is life beyond this life.
God has a purpose for our lives on earth.
God can improve the quality of our lives in the ways that matter most.

Here are 3 simple ways to share your faith:

Utilize the section in the book Living @ the Next Level called "Choosing Friendship with God" as a guide in explaining to others how they can become God’s friends.
Utilize what has been called the "Romans Road"—leading others in an understanding of salvation by following the path of principles laid out in the book of Romans. "Choosing Friendship with God" takes this approach, but I encourage you to study and memorize these scriptures on your own.

All have sinned (Romans 3:23).
The result of sin is spiritual death (Romans 6:23).
God loved us before we knew him or chose to be his friends (Romans 5:8).
All we have to do is call on God and he will make us his friends (Romans 10:13).

Share your own story! You can talk about what happened to you when you decided to follow Christ and about the ways God has changed your life.

Something to Think About:

You may not feel fully prepared to share your faith in God with others, but you are ready. The most effective tool you have is your own story. Feel free to share with others what life was like before you met Christ, how you actually came to your decision to enter a friendship with God through Christ, and what your life is like now. Someone needs to hear your story!