How Do I Become A True Christian?
God created a beautiful world. It was His plan that
humankind would serve and worship Him eternally in that world. However,
everyone ruined this plan from the first person until you and me. We have all
rebelled against God. We have chosen to live as we please, without Him. The
Bible calls this sin. Because of this, the human race
has been spoiled, bringing chaos and disaster into the world.
Our self-centredness and sinfulness has
cut us off from God. He therefore seems a million miles away and disinterested
in us. This has occurred because of our sinfulness (doing what we want instead
of what God wants). Our sin acts as a
barrier between God and us. We cannot break through that barrier on our own
because we are not good enough. Charity, good works, philosophy, and even
religion, although they may be very praiseworthy, all fall short of what God
requires in order for us to have a relationship with
Him.
What is Gods answer?
God’s answer is Jesus. Jesus is proof that God loves us and
that He cares enough about us not to leave us struggling here on earth.
For God so loved the world (that includes you!),
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 King James Version (KJV)
We deserve to suffer the consequences of our sin and our
rejection of God, by being rejected by God forever. However, God loves the
world (you and me!) so much that He sent his Son, Jesus, who was also God to
share our life and hardships. But unlike us, Jesus did not sin. In fact, He
went about reversing the effects of our rebellion.
God’s anger for our rebellion fell on Jesus, who was
perfectly innocent. He was punished instead of us and died an agonizing death
in our place. The Bible says that when Jesus was crucified, He took our
sinfulness into Himself.
Jesus did not stay dead though. God raised Him from the
dead and He appeared to many people here on earth before God took him up to be
with Himself. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection opened the way for us to have
a restored relationship with God.
There is nothing to stop anyone from coming to know God, no
matter who they are or what they may have done. The way is wide open. God has
done His part in Jesus it is now up to you!
What is your response?
First, you need to believe that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died on a cross and shed his presious blood for forgivness of your sin,
Second, you need to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that He is reigning at God’s right hand. You need to trust Jesus, make Him your Lord and Saviour of your life
Third, you need to admit that you do displease God (i.e., sin) and fall short of His standards. In fact, you need to be truly sorry that you have ignored God and gone your own way.
Fourth, you need with God’s help, to turn from going your own way and go His way instead (i.e. repent). In fact, you need to willingly turn from every thought, word, action and habit that you know is wrong, God will give you the strength to do this if you trust in Him.
Is it really this Simple?
The answer is, ‘Yes, it is!’, but only that Jesus has done
all the hard work already
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9 King James Version (KJV)
If you want to become a Christian and know Jesus in your
life, if you want to know God’s acceptance, become one of His children and
therefore be part of His family, and if you want to have eternal life and the
life of God in you, then pray the following prayer (it is best if you speak it
out aloud)
Prayer
Almighty God, it is true that I do things, which fall short
of your standards. I honestly want to turn from this, which I now recognize as
sin. I ask your forgiveness for all I have done that is wrong in your
sight. From this moment on, I determine
to go your way instead of my own way. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to
die on a cross so that I can be free from the punishment I deserve. I make
Jesus the Lord of my life. Please come into my heart right now so that I may be
made new. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Please help me now to live the rest
of my life with the help and power of the Holy Spirit, which you have given to me.
I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen
Can you be sure that you are a
Christian?
If you have prayed the above prayer (or one like it) and
you prayed it from the heart, meaning every word, then you are a true
Christian. This is the most important decision you have ever made. Whether you
felt anything or not, you are changed, because God has promised this, and He
cannot lie.
If your answer was yes, then this is just the beginning of
a wonderful New Life with Christ now.
1: Be baptized, fellowship with other Christians.
2: Talk to God in prayer every day.
3: Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better. King James Only (KJV) other versions have bits missing.
4: Tell others about Christ.
Abstracts
taken from the book explaining The Christian Faith
Written
by David Fardouly Copyright ©1991