God’s Bridge to eternal life means crossing through Jesus Christ. This is the essential first step towards transformation. Jesus gave His life so that we might be saved.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).

The first step

The first step is a baby step of faith, trusting God to transfer us safely — in an instant — to the other side. That’s called salvation. We are saved from ourselves, saved from death, saved from falling in the gap that separates us from God.

The question is, “What does believe mean?”

Believing, therefore, is not a mere intellectual ascent. Believing means action taken to follow Jesus — connecting what we know to do and doing that. A follower means following. Action depends on the heart relationship with Jesus, not nominal labels.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21–23, ESV).

Our human spirit is then invaded by the Holy Spirit of God to indwell within us. Because His Spirit lives in us, we are now in the family of God. God wants everyone to be saved, but not all people are willing to accept the free gift that He offers through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. God does not desire ritualistic practice. God wants a heart-felt relationship with us.

The next step

Baby Christians need support and spiritual food. That’s the next step to growing. We do not grow in isolation. “Come-along-siders” are those disciples who make disciples. Disciple makers are disciplemakers who are called and chosen (all real followers of Jesus Christ are chosen to do this) to hand off their faith.