A close relationship with God is like any other relationship: it takes two to make it work.

God reaches out to us. It’s now our turn to respond and reach out to Him.

Step 1

“Clear the air” with Christ.
Because we haven’t lived up to God’s perfect plan for us, we’re alienated from Him — far away from Him. Guess who moved? We can come back into a beautiful and close relationship with the Lord if we play it straight with Him and admit we’ve failed to live up to His expectations. In other words, we have sinned. He isn’t interested in accusing us — only in forgiving us. But He can’t do that until we ask Him to do so. Christ already did all the work involved in taking care of our sin, canceling it out, by dying for us on the cross. All we have to do is ask for and accept His forgiveness. We have His promise that if we do this, He’ll make things right between us and Him. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Just a simple prayer will do — something like this: “Lord, I know I’ve failed you and haven’t always tried to live close to you. Please forgive my sins. I accept you as my Savior. Come into my heart and life.”

Step 2

Make Christ number one.
Logic would suggest that the Lord should be our top priority. He needs to be given leadership of our lives: to be put in charge. Our prayer should be something like this: “Lord, I’m through with running my own life. I’m yours. I put myself entirely under your control. Help me to do this daily. Amen.” Jesus gives us this great affirmation: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” (John 15:4) Accepting Christ as our Savior and Lord is what makes us Christians. Have you done this? Do so, and He will always be with you in this life, and you’ll have eternity with Him!