How to Become a Christian
You were created for a reason: to have fellowship with your Creator - God, the Father! The original plan for mankind was for there to be no sin, no death, no hell, no separation from that loving God. But sin entered into the picture through the devil, and we have been separated from God ever since.
In actuality, the Bible says that you were even born in sin.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Psalm 51:5 (NIV)
This sin (doing our "own thing"; going our "own way" instead of God's) separates us from God.
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)
Jesus Christ came to earth in order to do the work of reconciliation (bringing man back to God) by dying on the cross for your sins. The Bible tells us that there are clear steps that we take in order to begin the life-long process of becoming a disciple of Christ.
Believe
For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV)
Genuine belief equates genuine life change. If you truly believe something to be true, you act out upon that truth - it affects your life. In the same way, real belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God affects the way we live our lives.
Confess
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (NIV)
To "confess our sins" simply means to admit that we have gone our own way; done our own thing - lived a life apart from God and His will for us. It's okay; you can do it - He already knows anyway.
Repent
Unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Luke 13:3b (NIV)
To repent involves more than merely being sorry (although that's certainly a component). The original word repent is actually a mathematical (geometrical to be more precise) term that means "to turn 180 degrees away from". This means that if you are facing south (representing your sin), you are to purposefully turn 180 degrees away from that (due north); away from sin, and towards God and His purposes for your life. This is a more intentional act than it may seem at first on the surface. It is being sorry for the sins you have committed, firmly resolving not to do them anymore, and making a definitive plan on how you will avoid those sins in the future.
Count the Cost
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
Luke 14:28 (NIV)
Jesus didn't seem to water down the Gospel any when He made the presentation of what it meant to be Christian. He clearly said that there would be a price to be paid in following Him. It's not all sunshine and roses. In fact, He goes on to say...
Die to Self
Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.'
Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
Clearly, if we are to follow Jesus, we are to "die out to self"… and find new identity in Him.
DO IT NOW!
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV)
Be Born Again
In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again'.
John 3:3 (NIV)Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
If you believe in Jesus, have confessed your sins, repented, counted the cost, and died to self, the Bible says you are "born again"! Tell someone you trust; preferably a mature believer about what has happened to you (your pastor, a trusted friend or family member), and then...
Do What God Says
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
And Finally:
Talk with God regularly and often - like you would a friend!
Pray continually.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)
Get into the Word of God!
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Get involved in a Christ-centered church!
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Ephesians 2:19-20 (NIV)
You BELONG now!
We'd love to hear from you if you have become a disciple of Jesus Christ...please take a moment and e-mail us to let us know of your life-changing decision! You've just caused heaven to PARTY!
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:7 (NIV)