How do I become a Christian?
What is a Christian?
If you are a perfect person, then you don't need Jesus Christ. You do not need to become a 'Christian' and you shouldn't bother yourself reading the Bible. Face it, it is a long book.
Let's get real.
We all sin. Bottom line. No one is exempt from this solid and well known fact. No matter how hard we all may try to be sinless, we all come up short. Why? Simply because we are not perfect!
However, there is hope found within Jesus. He is the only true way to salvation, free from sin. Please do not be mislead by false teachings! God's Word tells us that Jesus Christ is the only way to gain eternal salvation. You can not earn your way into Heaven through good deeds. Jesus Christ lived and died for each and every single one of us!
"Christ didn’t come into this world to condemn the world, but rather to offer them salvation." ~ John 3:17
So, what is a Christian?
Firstly, a Christian is a person who believes in Jesus Christ, God's son.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ~ John 3:16
Secondly, a Christian is a person who accepts and asks Jesus Christ to be their personal Savior and practices what God's Word teaches us. Not just a person who talks the talk, but a person who chooses to walk the walk. Not all people who claim to be "Christian" are truly saved. Being saved has nothing to do with religion.
Jesus answered them, "My mother and my brothers (and sisters) are those who listen to God's teaching and obey it!” ~ Luke 8:21
Well, what does it mean to ‘believe in Him’?
It means that you ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and come into your life and be your Lord and Savior. And in doing so, you gain a personal relationship with Him! Apart from feeling the peace a person may experience when accepting Jesus into their lives, there is a great reward in knowing that one now has God on their side! And let's not forget the ultimate reward that lasts an eternity after ones death: Heaven!
Well, I'm not ready!
There is no better time than now! We are not promised tomorrow! You may be thinking, "Well, I've got to get right with God first," or perhaps, "I'll wait until I know I can do better," but that thinking is not of God. God wants you now! You can not "get right" with God without a relationship with Jesus Christ! God has been waiting your entire life for you to search and accept Him, however, He gives you the choice. You choose, Jesus, or sin.
Why choose a life of sin over Jesus Christ? Ponder that for a moment... Jesus verses sin. There is no middle ground. You are either a friend of Jesus, or you're not. God gives you the choice. God is loving and caring, and does not force anything onto you. He has given you free will and will let you decide.
Take a moment, and ask yourself:
What do I choose? What do I say about God's gift of salvation? Will I turn from my sin and repent?
Will I give my life to Jesus? Will I turn my back on God and reject Him? If so, will I go to Hell?
Christ died for you and I, for all of mankind. We can all be forgiven and can live forever in paradise! But this gift of forgiveness and eternal life cannot be yours unless you willingly accept it. God requires an individual response from you!
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ~ Romans 3:23
How do I become a Christian?
If you are hearing the call of God in your heart, and you would like to ask His Son Jesus Christ to forgive you once and for all for your sins so that you can spend eternity with Him in heaven, then I’d like to invite you to take a moment, to speak directly with Christ and say a prayer like the following: ( You do not need a priest or holy man to speak for you - God states that we all have direct access to Christ! )
“Father, I now understand that I am a sinner and that my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. I know that Jesus Christ can wash my soul clean of sin, and set me right before Your eyes that I might be saved from the penalty of sin. Please forgive me for my sins. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer just as Your word said He did. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I might be close to You and live as You would have me to live, and that He might teach me Your ways. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
If you have prayed that prayer, or you are thinking about praying that prayer, I would encourage you to speak with a pastor who believes in eternal salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, and ask for guidence. It sure does help to have someone knowledgeable who can answer any questions you might have. The Holy Spirit of God will work in your life to guide and teach you, but just know that He does work through others such as pastors, evangelists, or even your next door neighbor!
If you did read the prayer, it only gets better from here! Welcome to the family!
That's right, Christianity is God's family! One Body, for Jesus Christ!
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." ~ John 1:12