Become a Christian
People talk about God and "accepting Christ as your Savior". What does the Bible say and why should you "accept Christ as your Savior"?
Knowing God Personally
| Principle One: God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.
God created you. Not only that, he loves you so much that he wants you to know him now and spend eternity with him. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."1 Jesus came so that each of us could know and understand God in a personal way. Jesus alone can bring meaning and purpose to life.
What keeps us from knowing God? ... |
| Principle Two: All of us sin and our sin has separated us from God.
We sense that separation, that distance from God because of our sin. The Bible tells us that "All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way."2 Deep down, our attitude may be one of active rebellion or passive indifference toward God and his ways, but it's all evidence of what the Bible calls sin. The result of sin in our lives is death--spiritual separation from God.3 Although we may try to get close to God through our own effort, we inevitably fail. How can we bridge this gulf?... |
This diagram shows the great gap that exists between us and God. The arrows illustrate how we might try to reach God through our own efforts. We may try to do good things in life, or earn God's acceptance through a good life or a moral philosophy. But our good efforts are insufficient to cover up our sin.
| Principle Three: Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. Through him we can know and experience God's love and plan for our life.
We deserve to pay for our own sin. The problem is, the payment is death. So that we would not have to die separated from God, out of his love for us, Jesus Christ died in our place. On the cross, Jesus took all of our sin on himself and completely, fully paid for it. "For Christ also died for sins...the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God."4 "...he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."5 Because of Jesus' death on the cross, our sin doesn't have to separate us from God any longer.
Jesus not only died for our sin, he rose from the dead.7 When he did, he proved beyond doubt that he can rightfully promise eternal life--that he is the Son of God and the only means by which we can know God. That is why Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father except through me."8 Instead of trying harder to reach God, he tells us how we can begin a relationship with him right now. Jesus says, "Come to me." "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me... out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."9 It was Jesus' love for us that caused him to endure the cross. And he now invites us to come to him, that we might begin a personal relationship with God.
Just knowing what Jesus has done for us and what he is offering us is not enough. To have a relationship with God, we need to welcome him into our life... |
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."6
| Principle Four: We must individually accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
The Bible says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."10 We accept Jesus by faith. The Bible says, "God saved you by his special favour when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."11 Accepting Jesus means believing that Jesus is the Son of God, who he claimed to be, then inviting him to guide and direct our lives.12 Jesus said, "I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly."13 And here is Jesus' invitation. He said, "I'm standing at the door and I'm knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in."14 How will you respond to God's invitation? Consider these two circles.
Which circle would you like to have represent your life? Begin a relationship with Jesus... |
| You can receive Christ right now. Remember that Jesus says, "I'm standing at the door and I'm knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in."15 Would you like to respond to his invitation? Here's how.
The precise words you use to commit yourself to God are not important. He knows the intentions of your heart. If you are unsure of what to pray, this might help you put it into words: "Jesus, I want to know you. I want you to come into my life. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin so that I could be fully accepted by you. Only you can give me the power to change and become the person you created me to be. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me eternal life with God. I give my life to you. Please do with it as you wish. Amen."If you sincerely asked Jesus into your life just now, then he has come into your life as he promised. You have begun a personal relationship with God. What follows is a lifelong journey of change and growth as you get to know God better through Bible reading, prayer and interaction with other Christian.
I Just asked Jesus into my life (some helpful information follows)....
I may want to ask Jesus into my life,
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1 John 3:16
2 Isaiah 53:6
3 Romans 6:23
4 1Peter 3:18
5 Titus 3:5
6 John 3:16
7 1 Corinthians 15:3-6
8 John 14:6
9 John 7:37,38
10 John 1:12
11 Ephesians 2:8,9
12 John 3:1-8
13 John 10:10
14 Revelation 3:20
15 Revelation 3:20
Tips
- If you have accepted Christ as your savior,
Romans 10:13 (NIV)
You are now a child of God. Just believe what the bible says, and accept what it says practically, as if what it says is exactly what it means.
"for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" - Now that you have chosen to except Christ and receive his forgiveness for your sin, don't take advantage of his forgiveness and commit wrong like watching bad movies, reading porn magazines, etc. Don't beat yourself up if you do sin, remember that Jesus forgives us when we ask Him to!
- Christianity may be metaphorically compared to a race. A race to reach the finish line (Heaven) is our ultimate goal, but how we run the race is more important than when we finish the race. We pause to help others along the way (benevolence, and bringing others to Christ), and sometimes stumble on obstacles in the way (our sin, others' sin). Christianity isn't an easy path. It may be easy to 'run the first lap', but the race becomes more difficult as we mature in our faith. Never forget to ask Jesus' help, because we are not alone in the 'race'.
- You can approach God ANYTIME. talk to him as you would with a regular friend. You don't have to like tell the priest all your messages to God... God's a friend... and we have direct access to him!
- Plug into a church or a youth group. They will help you know more about God and be closer to him. Don't be too proud by thinking that you can walk with God alone. Christian friends build you up and encourage you, so plug into a church as soon as possible.
- Church does not mean a building. It means, and has from the beginning, a group of people who have accepted Jesus as the One True God meeting in the same place to celebrate what they have and learn from each other how God is working in their lives. This can happen anywhere, at set times, or even spontaneously.
- If your parents don't approve of the church thing, seek the help of the pastor or youth leader of the church you want to go to, or any other church.
Warnings
- Do not expect that this is an easy life. Some example may be found in books like Jesus Freaks, The Hiding Place,Boom, Heavenly Man, or Christian magazines such as OpenDoors International or Voice of the Martyrs to find out what true faith looks like worldwide.
- Don't ever suppose that God doesn't care about what you do from now on. Always be aware that he doesn't want you to go back and do the sin that you were used to. He has made you a different person so you can live 'above' sin, not fall back into it. Always remember that you will undoubtedly be tempted to sin, but you can pray daily that God will keep you from failing. If you do sin, ask forgiveness from God right away, and ask him to help you not to do it again. If you have wronged someone else, go and apologize, no matter how hard it may be it will always be worth it to make restitution. Again, do not dwell on it, but get back to following Jesus and His example.
- For some people becoming a Christian is an emotional step; for others it is a simple act of trust without emotions. God will save you with or without emotions.
- Do not expect all your family and friends to like the new you, but it is OK, Jesus never said that it would be easy, He just said that it would be the truth.
- The grace of Jesus covers all sins. None of your words or actions can ever keep you from salvation and God's loving embrace. The only except to this may be blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, but this only applies to those who are already believers and speak vile words or commit vile acts against the Holy Spirit.
Luke 12:10 (NIV)
Aside from this only exception, the grace of Jesus is yours when you believe in Him -- when you commit yourself to Christ.
"And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."Ephesians 1:12-14 (NIV)
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." - Be aware, once you've accepted Christ into your life, that persecution knows no bounds. Now that you understand and feel the love of Jesus, you may become one of Satan's prime targets. Fret not, though, because nothing on earth or in Hell can harm your faith with God daily at your side. Do not worry about it, but rather remember this when you face temptations to sin.
Things You'll Need
- Faith is an essential part of your personal life. If you have chosen to become a Christian, but you don't know what to do, email Ian or Jeannette for help in growing as a new Christian. We can give you free access to bible studies to help you grow.
- The Bible. In some countries, it is very difficult to obtain a copy of the Bible due to the persecution of Christians or lack of adequate funding or supply. The word of God, as written in the Bible, is the truth necessary for understanding what it means to be a Christian. Owning a copy of the Bible isn't necessary, but having access to the Bible ie: from the Internet is essential. you can use our bible links for many different translations.
- Other Christians to encourage and guide you. If you don't know any other Christians, praise God for the mission field He has placed you in! You may feel inexperienced, but ask God what He wants to do and then do it. He may ask this of you, and possibly in a specific way, but verify it is truly Him by comparing it with His word (the Bible).
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Latest Comments
- This is good stuff brother and the heart of the good news. Christ in you is what this is about. Peter said you are the Christ the son of the living Go... More...
- I really liked your article Ian. But it seems your statment about comments being appercated is subject to approvel. Oh well some things never change n... More...
- This thing about what church is and is not could be carried through about all that we learned while in those places. Much of what we call the gospel o... More...
- Thank you for sharing your opinion here. I really value it. More...
- I was blessed. More...