HEBRAIC ROOTS AND MESSIANIC MINISTRIES

2008 HEBRAIC ROOTS CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

		By Eddie Chumney

CHAPTER 12

How Can I Receive the Messiah
Into My Heart and Life?

The G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob created you to have a personal relationship with Himself and to enjoy His abundant life! In Proverbs 16:4 [it is written in the Jewish Bible] "The Lord has made all things for His purpose [His own pleasure]." In Psalm 16:11 it is written, "...At Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

Sin (the transgression or breaking of G-d's law) separates you from a personal relationship with G-d and His abundant life. Sin also causes spiritual death! In Isaiah 59:2a it is written, "But your iniquities [your sins] have separated between you and your G-d." Man was created to have fellowship with G-d, but stubbornly chose to go his own independent way. This selfwill (expressed by either active rebellion or passive indifference toward G-d) is what the Bible calls "sin." Sin separates you from G-d and causes spiritual death, guilt, lack of peace, frustration, etc. In Ezekiel (Yechezekel) 18:4 it is written, "...the soul that sinneth, it shall die [spiritual death]." In First Kings (Melachim) 8:46 it is written, "...for there is no man that sinneth not."

You cannot remove sin by your own human efforts. In Isaiah 64:5 it is written, "...all our righteousnesses [our self-righteousness] are as filthy rags...." In Proverbs 14:12 it is written, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death [spiritual separation from G-d]." Man's plan is to remove his own sin by his own self-righteousness (i.e., to outweigh his bad deeds by his "good" deeds, such as religious "works," human philosophies, etc.). Man's self-righteousness is a 'filthy garment" in the sight of a holy G-d.

Sin can be removed by faith (emunah, believing what G-d says). Righteousness (right standing with G-d) comes by faith. In Genesis (Bereishit) 15:6 it is written, "And he [Abraham] believed [had faith] in the L-rd; and He counted it [Abraham's faith] to him for righteousness." Faith must be placed in the blood atonement. Atonement means a "covering" for sin. In Leviticus (Vayikra) 17:11 it is written, "...for it is the blood that maketh an atonement [covering] for the soul."

G-d has provided the blood of atonement today through a perfect sacrifice: the One who is known as the Messiah. Messiah means "anointed" one. In Isaiah 53:5 it is written, "But He was wounded for our transgressions [rebellions], He was bruised for our iniquities [moral evils]: the chastisement [punishment] of our peace [welfare] was upon Him; and with His stripes [wounds, blood] we were healed [atoned for]." In Abel we see atonement for a man as it is written in Genesis (Bereishit) 4:4, "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock...." During Passover, we saw an atonement for a family as it is written in Exodus [Shemot] 12:13, "...when I see the blood, I will pass over you...." During Yom Kippur, we see atonement for a nation, as it is written in Leviticus 16:30a, "For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you." The Messiah brings atonement for all who believe, as it is written in Isaiah 53:6. "But the Lord has caused the iniquity [the sins] of us all to fall [to focus] on Him."

How can you know the Messiah Yeshua? You must ask the Messiah Yeshua into your heart and life in order to have the blood of atonement, to have a personal relationship with G-d, and to enjoy His abundant life (the Messiah will not force His way into your life; He desires to be invited). In Joel 3:5 it is written, "...whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered [saved]...."

If you are desiring to ask the Messiah Yeshua into your heart and life, you may do so by following these simple steps.

1. Pray to G-d in your own words (prayer is just talking to G-d).

2. Confess that you have sinned against G-d and that you are truly sorry for it.

3. Ask the Messiah Yeshua into your heart and life to cleanse you with His blood of atonement.

4. Thank Him by faith for doing this!

The following is a sample prayer which you might pray.

"Dear G-d, I confess that I have greatly sinned against You and I'm sorry for it. Messiah Yeshua, please come into my heart and life and cleanse me with Your blood of atonement. Thank You for doing this according to Your Word."

If you have prayed this prayer and mean it, G-d has promised you many wonderful things, including the following:

1. Your sins are atoned for (covered, forgiven) (Isaiah 53:6.)

2. You receive righteousness (right-standing with G-d) by faith (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4).

3. You enter into a personal relationship with G-d and you become a child of G-d (Jeremiah 31:32).

4. You receive eternal life (Joel 3:5; Daniel 12:2).

5. G-d's Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) enters your life! (Ezekiel 11:19; Zechariah 12:10)

If you have made a decision to accept the Messiah into your life and you are Jewish, congratulations! Continue to be Jewish and please try to find a local Messianic synagogue to attend, for you have just became a completed Jew. If you are non-Jewish and have made a decision to accept the Messiah Yeshua into your life, please find a local Bible-believing church to attend or a Messianic synagogue.