Questions about becoming and being a Christian: 3. Please spell out for me, how do I actually become a Christian?
Please spell out for me, how do I actually become a Christian?
Becoming a Christian, or coming to Jesus as Lord and Saviour, is so simple that even a child can do it and yet, sadly, so many make it harder than it needs to be and therefore miss the chance to be rescued and saved.
No-one is born a Christian; it is not something inherited, passed down, or earned. Instead, the Bible says, ‘If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.’ (Romans 10 v. 9)
My son went to hospital for an operation a while ago. When he did so he had to believe in, or have faith in, the anaesthetist, the surgeon and nurses, that they would take care of him. With my work I do a fair bit of travelling and sometimes need to catch a plane over to Northern Ireland or further. When I do, I put my trust in the plane, the pilots and the crew. I believe they know what they are doing and will direct the plane (and me) safely to where I want to go. Believing in Jesus is similar. Becoming a Christian is a case of putting your full and total trust in God to forgive, save and change you.
Though being a Christian means enjoying a relationship with God, it is founded on certain definite beliefs. It is not possible to know God without believing what He says about Himself and us in His Word, the Bible. In believing, there are steps to finding peace with God:
First, be honest with God. Admit that you have rebelled against Him and not given Him His right place in your life. This is obvious; we know we’re guilty, but our sin is more serious than we usually understand.
Secondly, believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sin. God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to die in our place. His death on the cross was not a mistake; it was planned – for us. What Jesus accomplished on the cross is enough to make us right with God and set us free.
Thirdly, repent. That is, to do a U-turn from living your own way and to start living God’s way. God gives us His Spirit to help us change. We can’t do this in our own strength. Instead, the God who created the earth, who came to be born in a manger, who walked on water, who fed the hungry, and healed the sick – the all-powerful God, is powerful in our lives as He changes us from
the inside by His Spirit.
Fourthly, as you ask for forgiveness, commit your life to Him. You no longer have to live as an enemy of God, you can live as life is intended to be, which is, living life to the full with God at the centre. Romans chapter 10 verse 13 promises, ‘anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ – this can be you.
Many have found that praying a prayer similar to the one below has helped them put their trust in Jesus:
‘God, I admit I have done wrong in your sight. I have sinned and I am sorry. I want to turn from it. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to carry my sin and offer me forgiveness. Thank you that He rose again and gives me hope for eternity. Please transform and change me so that I can live your way each day. Thank you for hearing this prayer which I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.’
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