How do I become a Christian? -- Ray

Becoming a Christian means that you desire to "follow Christ." One cannot follow Christ if they want their sin (wrong attitudes, actions, and words) more than Jesus and what He offers. Look at what the Bible says:

1. God wants you to honor and serve Him.

Revelation 4:11, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

2. Your sin (breaking God's rules) keeps you from pleasing God.

Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

I John 3:4, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

3. Sin is paid for by death and separation from God.

Psalm 5:4, " For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee."

Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Revelation 20:15, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

4. You cannot get to heaven by being good or doing lots of good works.

Titus 3:5a, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us."

Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."

5. Here's the best part. Christ paid for your sins.

Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth [showed] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

I Peter 3:18a, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God."

6. Accept Christ's payment for your sin.

John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Acts 16:31a, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

Romans 10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

7. Turn from your sin. Want something completely different than your sin.

Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

8. God has made you a promise--eternal life.

John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

God's Promise has three parts: The person who believes . . .

1. Has eternal life

2. Does not come into judgment

3. Has passed from death to life

Ray, becoming a Christian is much like joining an army. It costs nothing to join but the good soldier is willing to obey and even lay down his life for the general. When somebody does join the army, their life is no longer their own. When somebody joins the army, they surrender their rights to their leader. That's what God expects of us. Look at what Jesus said about becoming a Christian (follower of Christ):

Matthew 16:24-25, "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

In order to become a Christian your will must be broken because it is naturally at war with God! In fact, the Bible says that our condition is pretty miserable, for we are born into this world:

1. An enemy of God -- our will is against His will (Rom. 5:10)

2. Dead in sins (unable to anything that pleases God -- Eph. 2:1)

3. Held captive by a foreign power greater than ourselves (Eph. 2:2)

4. A child of wrath (someone destined for eternal judgment -- Eph. 2:3)

Have you ever seen a football game? There are two teams, each with different wills. One team desperately wants to run one way, and the other team wants to go the other way. They have opposing wills. We are born with a will that wants to do anything except turn from our sin and trust Christ for forgiveness! That's why becoming a Christian is primarily a surrender of your will!

To become a Christian you must Admit that you have sinned against God and ask Him for His forgiveness. Believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God Who died for you on the cross and rose from the dead. Call upon Jesus Christ to save you and ask Him to become your Lord and Savior. God didn't make the way to heaven difficult -- because of what Jesus did on the Cross, it's as easy as ABC!

Ray, you can become a Christian right now! There are no special papers to sign or certain works you have to do. God is so BIG and so willing to forgive, you don't have to go anywhere special or say any magic words. If you see your need for Jesus and are willing to turn from your sin and to Him, tell Him that. The Bible says that there is "joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents [turns from their sin and trusts Jesus]" -- (Luke 15:10).

God promises that those who truly believe have passed from death unto life, and are secure forever in His hand. Praise the Lord that He provided for us a way of escape from a terrible place called Hell.

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