Chapter 27: God's Plan For Every Person

God's Plan for Each Person

All my life I've had the privilege of experiencing God's blessings and His providential direction. Some who read this book will not have an understanding or knowledge of God, so I would like to take this opportunity to clearly explain my relationship with Him.

Before he Communist Revolution, many Russians knew and spoke freely of God. Our family and most of our neighbors attended church. I heard a lot about God, but did not understand that I could know Him personally and experience His love. However, during the Communist years, many people in Russia had no chance to hear of God, since Stalin and his successors suppressed all expressions of religion. Therefore, many who have grown up during this era know very little about God. Following the fall of Communism many people now have questions regarding God and how to know and understand Him.

When I was in California at the age of 18 I attended a class at church to prepare to join the church. But at that time I did not feel that God was really present in my life; I did not think I was a Christian. I did not feel worthy to be accepted by God, who is holy and perfect. There seemed to be something missing. My step-brother explained to me that God accepts and forgives each person when they sincerely pray, admitting their sin and their need for Him. The Bible tells us this in Romans 10:9-10. "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (NIV)

The Holy Bible is the source of our knowledge of God. It is God's trustworthy message to the world. It is from the Bible we learn that God created the world and everything in it, including people. He chose to love mankind and we were perfect when created. But God gave his creation free will to choose right or wrong actions. The first man, Adam, made a choice to disobey God and that separated him from God. All people following Adam have also made choices that are wrong. God calls these wrong choices "sin". James 4:17says, "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." (NLT) This sin separates us from fellowship with the perfect God, the creator of the universe. God loves all people in spite of their sin and He made a way for us to become right with Him again.

God is holy, meaning He is perfect. He does not make mistakes or wrong choices. Mankind, with all the sin and imperfection, needs a way to know God and have a relationship with Him. In ancient times, people brought sacrifices to try to earn God's favor, and they tried to obey a series of laws. But all fell short of the perfection of God, no matter how hard they tried. Still, God wants to provide for us, protect us, guide us, and help us make right choices. He wants us to live lives that are joyful and fulfilling. So God provided His son Jesus as the way to be right with Him. John 3:16 states, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (NLT)  Jesus was completely God and completely man, a great and wonderful mystery. He lived on earth to teach people about God and then He was crucified on a cross as a sacrifice to provide a bridge to God. I Peter 3:18  says, "Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit." (NLT)  He died but was raised to life again on the third day, and was seen by more than 500 people. He then ascended to heaven to live with God once again. I Corinthians 15:3-6 tells us that "Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said,… he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time." (NLT)

When a person realizes that he needs God to be complete and to overcome the wrong choices, he only needs to  ask God to forgive and change him. As a person accepts the sacrifice of Christ for our sins, God no longer sees our failures and this confession brings a new relationship with God. In Acts 3:19, we read, "  So turn away from your sins. Turn to God. Then your sins will be wiped away. The time will come when the Lord will make everything new." (NIRV)  He begins the process of helping each person to become more like him, more loving, able to make right choices, joyful, peaceful instead of worried, and so much more. There is nothing a person needs to do to earn God's love and forgiveness. It is a free gift that just needs to be accepted. There are no rituals or rules that must be kept to receive or keep this free gift of being right with God.   Ephesians 2:8-9: states, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." (NLT)

You can begin your personal relationship with God by expressing your faith (trust) to Him through prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. He knows what you mean even when it is difficult to express yourself. You may use the following words or your own.

"Dear God, I know that my sin has separated me from you. Thank you that Jesus Christ died in my place and paid the full price for all of my sins. I now ask Jesus to forgive me for my sins and come into my life. Please begin to direct my life and help me to get to know you better. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Here are just a few of His promises:

• God promises that once we accept Jesus into our life, He will never leave (Hebrews 13:5)
• He has paid the price by dying for us and completely forgives all sin (Colossians 2:13-14)
• God provides His Holy Spirit to live within us (Galatians 5:25)
• God enables us live a life that honors Him (Colossians 2:6-7)
• To keep growing in your relationship with God, pray (talk) to Him daily and He will give you peace. (Philippians 4:6-7)
• Read and study the Bible to learn more about God. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
• Let the Holy Spirit direct your life  (John 14:26) 
• Worship God as your Savior (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Be assured that God's love for you and his forgiveness remains with you for ever.

My prayer for you is that you, too, will establish a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and find yourself in a place where you experience His blessings. Amen.

John D Block