Collins Memorial United Methodist Church

How do I return to God?

"Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts."             

                                                 - Malachi 3:7b - (this was said to the people of God in Old Testament times)

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."                                                                  

                                - I John 1:9 - (written to  first century Christians who needed forgiveness.)

• The Situation.  Sometimes an individual will turn to the Lord and  become a Christian, and then as time passes, that individual may drift away from God.  A variety of situations may have surrounded this drift from God's fellowship: major changes in life, huge demands on one's time, major events that require extreme attention, and of course, Christians sometimes fall back into sin and selfishness.

• Pray.  The first thing to do is to pray.  Because you accepted Christ earlier in your life, you already have a relationship with God, even though you may have lost touch with God in a serious way.  The fact that you are concerned about this and wish to return to God means that God's Holy Spirit has already been working in your heart to prompt you to desire to return to God.  So God is anxious to hear from you.  Remember the parable Jesus told, about the shepherd who had 99 sheep in the fold, but one was out and lost.  So the shepherd leaves the 99 and searches for the lost sheep until that sheep is found.  You are the sheep whom the shepherd loves.  Prayers don't have to be worded perfectly.  God looks into your heart and knows what you are trying to say. Just pray to God and say you want forgiveness, and to be restored to your relationship with the Lord.  If you wish, you may use the following prayer:

    "Dear Lord, lots of things have happened.  I've sinned and let selfishness have its way.  But I want to return to fellowship with You.  I ask for forgiveness and renewal.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit to enable me to live for you, to enjoy your presence, and to be a witness of your love.  Thank you for receiving me.  Amen."

• Go to Church.  The Bible uses several illustrations to describe a Christian's life within the church fellowship. Life within a church is likened to 'the body of Christ.'  Each organ within the body has a function and all organs are needed.  Each Christian is needed within the fellowship of Christians to participate in the group witness and group missions.  Of course, there will be personal opportunities of individual witness and mission.  Also the life and worship of the church helps the individual Christian to grow in Christ. God works through the fellowship of Christians within a church to strengthen the individuals who worship together, and to be involved in ministry beyond the church in the community.

  Our Email:    collinsumc@hotmail.com