Becoming a Christian
Many people go their whole lives without knowing the truth of Jesus Christ and what it means to be His follower. They exist year after year without God in their life, with no idea of how to live or for what purpose they have been created. Maybe you have tried to find happiness and fulfillment through acquiring possessions or wealth, tried to escape through the use of drugs and alcohol, or tried to find peace through various religions or self-help programs. All of these will fail without knowing and accepting the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
The Human Dilemma: This dilemma is at the very core of our ministry. Let’s start at the beginning. According to the Bible, we are created in the image of God. We are designed to have a personal relationship with Him, but because of sin we are separated from God. God has given us free will and the freedom of choice. It is we who choose to disobey Him and go our own willful way. We make these choices every day. There is God’s way and our way. God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life, abundant and eternal. Our way leads to sin and “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Sin is a real problem and all of us are guilty of it. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Many of us have tried to bridge the gap between God and ourselves. We have given up our bad habits, tried to do more good than bad, and tried other religions. We have said things like, “If I am a good person then I will go to Heaven” and “If I go to church enough then I am a Christian.” “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12
There is nothing other than belief and faith in the message of Jesus Christ that man can do to save himself. Jesus Christ is the only bridge between man and God. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5
The Bible is very clear on this issue. In John 14:6, Jesus states: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” What is the solution to the human dilemma? Read on and find out.
God’s Solution: The solution is found in Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ” John 3:16-17
God has provided the way. The good news is that God sent us His son to restore our relationship with Him. Jesus Christ gave His life as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind by dying on the cross. He then rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and His people.
Now you have a choice. You can reject the message. “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. “1 Corinthians 1:18. Or you can accept the message: “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we can all be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.” Romans 3:22
Which choice will you make? Your way or God’s way? Which will you decide? Your response to this question is the most important decision you will make in this lifetime. Will you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. “ Romans 10:9.
Our Response: To receive the gift of eternal life you must first believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God, who died for your sins, rose from the dead, and is alive today. “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
If you want Jesus to be your Savior, you may pray something like this: Dear Jesus, I know I have sinned, and I believe You died to cleanse me of my sin. I want You to rescue me, and I want You to live inside of me now, so that I can live with You in heaven someday. Thank you for becoming my Savior. Amen.
The next step is baptism. CLICK HERE