My sister accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior in a Hospice room last month. Part of me is ecstatic she finally made the decision. Another part of me grieves her brief experience of the joy of the Lord while here on earth. She did not belong to a Christian community. She barely knew Jesus. Yet because of her decision, her eternal destiny is secure. She now sees Jesus face-to-face. She will spend eternity getting to know Him!

While my sister’s life hung in the balance, I asked her: “Where are you in your faith?” A chaplain had encouraged her to see herself dancing with God (she was a ballroom dancer). That relationship resonated with her.

Then I asked her “Who is Jesus to you?” Long pause. She cried. “I don’t know Sally.” “Do you want to know?” I asked her. A quiet pause again. This time, I sensed not a brick wall of rebellion but rather a pondering or wrestling of the mind. Yet, she did not want to proceed. I asked the pastor of my oldest sister’s church to visit her. He asked the same questions. My sister listened and confessed she did not know Jesus personally.

The pastor shared John 3:16. Then he told the Bible story of the two criminals on either side of Jesus during His crucifixion. One yelled insults at Jesus. The other man acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus responded, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” The pastor asked my sister if she wanted to be the latter man. Her response: “Yes!”

That wall of rebellion finally crumbled. Twenty years of prayer bore fruit. Peace invaded that room as we prayed over her.

Where are you in your faith? Who is Jesus to you?

Here are some truths I want you to hear from the Bible:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth (Genesis 1:1) His Son, Jesus, was there at the time of creation. God’s Spirit hovered over the earth in the beginning. Jesus always was, is and forever will be.  Read John 1:1-18, Hebrews 1:2-4, or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud.

All have sinned (Romans 3:23). All means all. No one is excluded or exempt. Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s perfection.  Read Romans 3:10-12,23. Our sin separates us from our Holy God and deserves punishment. Read Romans 6:23 aloud.

Jesus is the perfect solution to our sin problem (John 3:16). God sent His Son Jesus to earth to live and die a horrible death. Jesus, who never sinned, took in his body the sin of the world—yours and mine. Read John 3:16.

Jesus offers us eternal life (Romans 6:23). Jesus lived a perfect life, died, and was resurrected from the dead. Because of His resurrection, we are invited into His life through His death and resurrection. We can be part of His family for eternity. This gift of eternal life is ours! We cannot work for it, though, for this is God’s gift through faith. Read Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:8-9.

You decide (Romans 10:9). First, my sister admitted she was a sinner. She believed that Jesus was the only one who could rescue her from her sins. Lastly, she confessed Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The Bible says, “If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead we will be saved.” Romans 10:9,13

Salvation is the greatest gift you could receive this Christmas. My sister who loved the season of Christmas stepped into the reality of eternal life on Friday, December 13. Jesus was waiting for her. Jesus is waiting for you, too. He extends this gift of salvation to you.

Take it. Embrace it. Believe it.

I pray you will receive this gift just as my sister did. If you did, below is a prayer. The prayer is not magic and it’s not the only way to accept this gift but rather it’s offered as a guide for you.

Lord, You are the Creator of the heavens and the earth. I admit I have sinned against you. I admit there is nothing I can do to have a relationship with you except through Jesus Christ. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I believe He rose from the dead and is alive today. I believe right now that I too have died to my old self and am raised as a new creation. I confess aloud that Jesus is my Lord and Savior.

If you prayed this prayer, would you let me know? Please send me a message through my contact page! Or meet with a local pastor. Tell a trusted mature Christian and then find a Bible-believing church to belong to.