At FBC Biloxi, we believe that all people were created by God and for Him. It is our desire to see those around us come into a relationship with him and walk with Him each day. However, beginning a relationship with God is not just about being a “good person.” It is about realizing just how much we need Him, and then allowing Him to change our hearts.

Did you know the Bible teaches that we are born dead in our sin?¹ This means that we have lived our lives in a way that has not honored God, and therefore we have been separated from God, the source of true life. Many of us think that we are “good people” but we fail to realize just how often we are doing things that dishonor God, such as lying, being filled with pride, being filled with lust, being consumed with material things, not loving those around us, and not loving God above all else in life. Because of these things we are objects of the wrath of God.

Think about your life for a moment. Have you ever told a lie? If so, that makes you a liar. What about stealing? Have you ever stolen anything, even if it were something small? If so, you are a thief. Have you ever had lust in your heart for a man or a woman that is not your husband or wife? Jesus says that that is the same as adultery. So just by looking at these three things we realize that most, if not all of us are lying, thieving, adulterers in our hearts, and one day when we will die, we will stand before God.

You may say "Well, I know that God is good and he will forgive me." But doesn't a good judge punish those who commit crimes? We know that he does, and because God is good, He requires that sin be punished. So left to ourselves, we are condemned to death, separated from God for all of eternity?² But God who is rich in mercy, full of grace and love toward you, desires for you to come to life spiritually!³ God desires for you to no longer be an object of His wrath but to become an object of His mercy and His grace!⁴ He desires to set you free from the bondage and penalty of sin and death!^5,6

The Bible teaches that Jesus, the Son of God, stepped out of heaven and lived life as a human,⁷ and that He lived a sinless life, and died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sin and rose from the grave, so that you and I could by forgiven by a God who is both HOLY and JUST!⁸

The Bible says that we deserve death for our sin but God offers us the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.⁹

There is no special prayer or anything that must be prayed in order to begin relationship with God. All that is required is a step of faith, trusting that Christ died on the cross to wash away your sin. Scripture tells us that if we declare to God that we are a sinner, that if we turn from our sin, and in faith trust Christ to be our Lord and Savior, then He will save us!

The Bible says that if anyone turns from their sin and trusts Christ, He is an new creation.¹⁰ This means that as you grow in your relationship with Him, He will radically transform your life in to one that is glorifying to Him!

If you decide to follow Christ, or if you have any questions about any of this, please feel free to e-mail me at aaustin@fbcbiloxi.org or call the church at 228-396-8500 and share that with us! We would love to rejoice with you in the decision you made, and we would be glad to answer any questions you might have!

1. Ephesians 2:1
2. Romans 8:1-2
3. Ephesians 2:5
4. Ephesians 2:4
5. Romans 8:1-2
6. 2 Corinthians 5:21
7. John 1
8. Matthew 27-28
9. Romans 6:23
10. 2 Corinthians 5:17