How can I be a Christian?

Step 1:  God's purpose - Peace & Life

God loves you and wants you to experience peace and a meaningful, purposeful life - abundant and eternal.

The Bible says:

Romans 5:1           

"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"

John 3:16              

"For God so loved the world that He gave us His one and only Son, that whoever believe in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

John 10:10             

"... I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly"

Since God planned for us to have peace and life with true meaning and purpose, why are most people not having this experience?

Step 2:  Our problem - Separation

God created man in His own image to have abundant life.  He did not make us like robots to automatically love and obey Him, but gave us a will and freedom of choice. WE chose to disobey God and go our own wilful way.  The Bible calls this sin, which results in separation from God.

Our sin results in separation from God

The Bible says:

Romans 3:23                  

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

Romans 6:23         

"For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"

Through the ages individuals have tried to bridge this gap in many ways -without success.

None of our efforts can bridge this gap.  There is only one remedy for this problem of separation from God.

The Bible says:

Proverbs 14:12      

"There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death"

Isaiah 59:2             

"But your iniquities have separated you from God; Your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear"

Step 3:  God's remedy - The Cross

Jesus Christ provides the only solution to our problem.  He died on a cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sins and bridging the gap from God to man.

God has provided the only solution.  We must make the choice.

The Bible says:

1 Timothy 2:5         

"God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Jesus Christ, Himself man, is between them to bring them together"

Romans 5:8           

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  while we are still sinners, Christ died for us"

John 14:6              

"Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life.  No man comes to the Father, except through Me"

Step 4:  Our response - Receive Christ

We must believe in Jesus Christ and receive Him as Saviour.

The Bible says:

Ephesians 2:8-9     

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast"

Romans 10:9            

"If you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved"

Revelations 3:20    

"Behold, I (Christ) stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in"

Is there any good reason why you cannot receive Jesus Christ right now?

How to receive Christ:

1. Admit your need (That you are a sinner)

2. Be willing to turn from your sins (Repent)

3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.

4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit.

What to pray:

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins.  I am willing to turn from my sins.  I now invite Jesus Christ to come to my heart and life as my personal Saviour.  I am willing, by God's strength, to follow and obey Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life.

God's Assurance:  His Word

Did you pray this prayer?

The Bible says:

Romans 10:13       

"Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved"

John 1:12              

"To all who receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God"

This is just the beginning of your new life in Jesus Christ.  To grow in your faith and this relationship, you should:

 1. Obtain a Bible and read it everyday.

2. Talk to god by praying to Him in your own words.

3. Meet, worship and enjoy fellowship with other Christians in a church where the Bible is believed and taught.

4. Tell others about Jesus and what He has done for you.

5. Give of your time, talents and money - as you are able.

6. Grow in your faith by meeting with other believers.