Do you sometimes wonder what the purpose is behind your existence? Do you know what will happen after you die? These questions can be answered through God’s plan of salvation and love for you. This is the “Good News” as it is often called, because it certainly is the best news.
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and eternal life. Because of our sinful nature, we as humans are separated from God. Jesus Christ is the answer to bridge that gap. Jesus Christ came into the world as human, lived a sinless life, died on the cross and rose from the grave—all for us. This sacrificial death makes it possible for our sins to be forgiven and enjoy eternal life with Him. However, this forgiveness and eternal life are not automatic. We must trust and receive Him into our hearts through our own invitation. You may have heard about a “personal relationship with God.” This is where it starts. Simply ask, believe, pray and receive.
How to Receive Jesus Christ and Become a Christian
~ Ask
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, ““Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus Christ wants to have a personal relationship with you but He is not going to force you. You must ask and invite Him into your heart and into your life. He is waiting for your invitation. It is His desire for all to accept this gift of salvation. “…God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” I Timothy 2:4.
~ Believe
The first step is to ask for forgiveness. Repent…and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19. Once you ask for forgiveness, you must next believe and trust in God’s plan of salvation and this gift He is giving you. It is a free gift given to those who believe on Jesus Christ and what His sacrificial death means. Understand that this gift of salvation, forgiveness and eternal life cannot be earned. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. —Ephesians 2:8, 9.
~ Believe
The Bible does say that faith without works is dead, but to initially receive God’s gift of salvation you must simply believe. It is after this that you begin to enjoy a personal relationship with God who has a plan and purpose for your life. But at this stage right now, you must just believe with your heart that Jesus Christ died for you. This is where God’s grace comes in. He is offering you a gift you could never provide for yourself. It just requires faith and believing.
The Bible promises that you will receive new life in Christ when you sincerely confess, ask God for forgiveness and trust in Jesus Christ. “… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” Romans 10:9
Today is the day to enjoy new life in Christ. With a true heart, confess your sins and ask God to forgive you. Surrender your life to Him. Proclaim that you will trust in Christ, and thank him for this gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Pray:
“Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son and died for me—He took upon Himself my sin and died on the cross. I know that I have sinned. Please forgive me and wash away my sins. I am ready to accept You as my personal Lord and Savior. I surrender my life to You today. Thank you for Your gift of salvation and eternal life. Please come into my life and help me live for You. In Your name, Amen.”
Know that there is nothing magical about the exact words used in this prayer. It is about confessing and believing. God cares about the attitude of your heart as you pray.
~ Receive
The final step in becoming a Christian is to receive God’s free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. In John 1:12, we read, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Upon receiving Christ into your heart, you become a child of God. You have a personal relationship with God that will last for all eternity. Here are some additional verses you may want to read: John 3:16, I John 1:9, 1 John 4:14-15, I John 5:12-13, and I Corinthians 15: 3-4.
** All verses are taken from the New International Version (NIV).