HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

 

Straight from the Baptist Hymnal  the other Sunday night...

PLAN OF SALVATION

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A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. A Christian has a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, tries to obey Him in all things, and draws on His strength to help with problems. God made us for Himself and our souls are restless until they find rest in Him. Only God can fill the void in your life. The answer to your search is accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life. To become a Christian, you need to know these basic facts from the Bible:

1. God loves you. Because of God's love for all persons, He desires that you have unbroken fellowship with Him. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-5)

2. You are a sinner. All persons are sinners in that they disobey God. Sin is choosing to go your own way and do your own thing as opposed to being obedient to God. (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10)

3. Sin separates you from God. Sin forms a barrier that prevents you from entering into unbroken fellowship with God, Who is holy. As an unholy sinner, you can't have fellowship with God. You are headed for a Christless eternity that the Bible calls hell. (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23)

4.You can't save yourself. People often think that through their effortsthey can overcome the sin barrier between themselves and God. Thatisn't true. There's nothing you can do to restore the broken relationshipwith God. You can't earn God's salvation.(Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 4:4-5)

5. God sent His Son Jesus to remove the sin barrier. The death on the cross of Jesus Christ, God's Son, removed the sin barrier between you and God. Jesus died for your sins, taking your punishment on Himself. God did for you in Jesus Christ what you couldn't do for yourself. (1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

6. You can receive Jesus Christ through faith. Faith is trusting in what Jesus has done for you rather than trusting your own efforts to restore fellowship with God. Faith is complete reliance on Christ to put you in right relationship with God, allowing Him to live His life through you. Faith also involves repentance or genuine sorrow for sin and willingness to turn away from sin.

(John 14:6; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10)

7. Through prayer you can trust in Jesus Christ. Admit to God that are a sinner. Express sorrow or repentance for your sinfulness. Ask Him you to forgive your sins. Invite Jesus into your life as Savior and Lord. Thank Him for entering your life. Commit yourself to live for Him.

Accepting Christ is the beginning. After accepting Him, be obedient by following Christ in baptism and by uniting with a church. When you do, you will find that life truly does have purpose and meaning. Talk with another Christian about your decision for Christ.