THERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT AS PART OF BECOMING A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST.
GOD LOVES YOU AND ME SO MUCH THAT HE DESIRES TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH US.
Through this relationship with Christ, we will experience peace, purpose, and as a result have eternal life. This is why we are on earth, so we may enjoy a relationship with God, the Creator. This verse from the Bible gives a clear explanation of how much God loves us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:16).
We were created to have a close relationship with Him, but something messed that relationship up.
GOD LOVES YOU AND ME EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SINFUL. STANDING BETWEEN US AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS SIN (WHICH IS ANYTHING THAT SEPARATES US FROM GOD).
God by His very nature is sinless; He’s holy and cannot relate to anything that is sinful. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This verse states the condition that all of us are in. Even one sin in our life makes us a sinner.
So what can we do about this sin problem? Is there an answer?
GOD LOVES YOU AND ME SO MUCH THAT HE HAS PROVIDED AN ANSWER FOR OUR SIN PROBLEM.
The answer to this sin problem lies in the Son of God – Jesus – who lived a perfect life. Because Jesus lived a sin-free life and is the very Son of God makes Him the perfect sacrifice to take our sin away. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, and He purchased a place in heaven for us which He offers as a free gift. “God demonstrated his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
So how can we receive this gift of eternal life from God?
GOD LOVES YOU AND ME SO MUCH THAT WE CAN RECEIVE THIS GIFT FROM GOD IF WE BELIEVE IN HIM.
We receive this gift not for what we do, but as an act of faith. It is trusting Jesus Christ alone for salvation and nothing else. God wants this for you more than you can know. “Here I am! I stand at the door (of your life) and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20a). Jesus will do His part by providing eternal life if you do your part by believing in Him.
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What are the actual steps to become a believer?
Becoming a believer can take place anywhere. Going through the steps below will require praying to God, so you may want a quiet place where you will not be interrupted. Prayer is simply talking to God. There is no special language, and there are no special words. God sees you and knows what you are thinking in your heart. So as long as this is a genuine point in your life, He will most assuredly hear what you say.
CONFESS THAT YOU ARE A SINNER.
This is an important part of recognizing our relationship with God. God will forgive us our sins if we recognize that we are a sinner and are willing to confess that to Him. Confessing can be as simple as saying, “Lord, I am a sinner.”
ASK FOR FORGIVENESS FOR OUR SINS.
Again, no special words, but you could say something like, “Lord, I ask that you forgive me of my sins.”
ASK JESUS TO COME INTO YOUR LIFE AND BE YOUR SAVIOR.
It’s like opening a door. In your prayer, you might say something like, “Jesus, I want You to come into my life and be my Savior. I want to go to heaven, and I trust You and place my faith in You.”
WHEN YOU TALK TO GOD, YOU ARE PRAYING.
Here is a prayer asking Jesus to come into your life.
LORD, I CONFESS TO YOU THAT I AM A SINNER. I KNOW MY SIN SEPARATES ME FROM YOU. I NOW ASK YOU TO FORGIVE MY SINS. I KNOW THAT JESUS DIED FOR ME ON THE CROSS AND WILL TAKE MY SIN AWAY IF I BELIEVE IN HIM. JESUS, I DO BELIEVE IN YOU. I ASK YOU TO COME INTO MY LIFE (HEART) AND GIVE ME ETERNAL LIFE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FORGIVING ME AND GIVING ME ETERNAL LIFE. AMEN.
After you genuinely say this prayer, your salvation has become a fact. You are a believer and have been given eternal life by God’s grace. You may feel emotion or you may not. Either way is perfectly normal. We trust God by our faith, not by our feelings.
These are simple steps to becoming a believer. But if you need someone to help, we will be glad to add more explanation and/or guide you through this decision.
I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT SALVATION
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOU TO GROW IN CHRIST ARE LISTED BELOW:
- Tell someone that you are a believer. If you know a Christian, be sure to tell them too.
- Read the gospel of John in the Bible. Write down any questions you have. Then find a Christian friend or a pastor, and ask them to explain the questions you have written down.
- Try to read parts of the Bible each day. The gospels of Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John are wonderful reading for new Christians. Pay attention to how Jesus lived His life. This will guide you and help you as you live your life.
- Try to pray each day. Don’t worry about what you say. It’s like a friend talking to another friend.
- One of the best things about becoming a believer is allowing God to lead you. God will lead you to experience deep peace, joy, and abundant life if you allow Him to guide. In prayer, ask God to guide you, and allow some mature Christians to come into your life to help you grow in God.
- Partner with a church. Joining a church body will help you learn more and more about God and will help you learn how to worship God.
Again, remember, if you need someone to help, we will be glad to add more explanation and/or guide you through this decision.
I HAVE MADE A SALVATION DECISION