{
    "spanish": {
        "author": "",
        "date": "Thu, 02 Jul 2026 01:10:23 -0500",
        "title": "Coming to Christ",
        "verse": "\u201c\u2026 coming to [Christ] as to a living stone\u201d (1 Peter 2:4).",
        "reference": "",
        "theme": "Jesus Christ is the source of every spiritual privilege.",
        "paragraphs": [
            "Often Christians speak of salvation as \u201ccoming to Christ.\u201d That\u2019s an accurate, Biblical description, for Jesus Himself said, \u201cCome to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest\u201d (Matt. 11:28); \u201cI am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst\u201d (John 6:35); \u201cIf any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink\u201d (John 7:37). Those are metaphors for salvation.",
            "Coming to Christ initiates all your spiritual privileges because in Him God \u201cgranted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness\u201d (2 Peter 1:3). Paul said, \u201cBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ\u201d (Eph. 1:3).",
            "The Greek word translated \u201ccoming\u201d in 1 Peter 2:4 conveys more than initially turning to Christ for salvation. It implies remaining with Him. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament this word was used of those who drew near to God for ongoing worship. It was also used of Gentile proselytes\u2014those who chose to identify themselves with God\u2019s people.",
            "When you came to Christ, a permanent relationship of intimate, personal communion was established. Before that, you were rebellious toward God, without hope, and alienated from God\u2019s promises. Now you\u2019ve been born again to a living hope, you abide in Him and in His Word, and you have wonderful spiritual privileges.",
            "Indeed, you are a privileged person, and the greatest of those privileges is your personal relationship with Christ Himself. Continue to draw near to Him today through prayer and worship.",
            "Suggestions for Prayer:  Tell Jesus how much you love Him and how you want your relationship with Him to be all it should be.",
            "For Further Study: Read Ephesians 2:1\u201322. How did Paul describe our spiritual condition before salvation? How are sinners reconciled to God? What analogy did Paul use to describe our relationship as Christians to Jesus Christ?"
        ]
    }
}