How Do I Become a Christian?

Allow me to pose a very simple question to you: "Are you going to heaven?" If you are like most people, you feel a little uncertain about your answer. You would like to think you're going, after all you've lived a pretty decent life, but not quite sure just how favorably God views you. Personally, I had felt my good works were sufficient, but as I investigated what the Bible had to say I realized something very different. What I discovered (and millions of others as well) radically changed my life.

You see, God's love for us causes Him to long to be with us forever, but His justice and holiness demand that our sins, our lusts, selfishness, rebellion, hurtful words, and lies, be paid for. No magical wand can be waved over those offenses to God to make them disappear so we can be with God and have a relationship with Him. As it stands, apart from any intervention from God, we are left to pay for our sins-"the wages of sin is death", complete, total and eternal separation from God.

But I did say that this required something from you, didn't I? No, I'm not talking about works, I'm talking about something from inside you that you cannot see. Jesus said this: "For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life," (John 3:16) That's right, He asks us to believe, to have faith. And not merely give some intellectual assent to the facts. This is a heart issue! Faith says more than, "I believe that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world." It says, "I believe He died for My sins, because I have displeased God and I can't do this on my own, by myself. So I choose to surrender to God. I choose to follow Him. I commit my life to Him."

If you prayed this prayer sincerely then we would love to hear from you to help you grow in this new relationship with God that you've discovered. Come join us on Saturday nights, grow in our L.I.F.E. groups, and discover God's awesome purpose for you life. May God richly bless you as you discover a new life in Him.

What was it that changed me? The same thing that can change you, my friend - FOREVER!! First, understand God's heart for you. He loves you and offers you the free gift of eternal life." One blatant problem stands in the way, however: sin. Romans 3:23 declares, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Just three chapters later it states that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

But God's perfect love and perfect justice are not opposed to each other, because in His vast love, He chose a special remedy for our situation. There is hope! There is a way back to God, a plan He offers to every one of us! It's so simple, yet requires so much....of our heart, that is! God sent His one and only Son to earth with one ultimate purpose-to live the sinless life we couldn't and then die a death so we wouldn't. You see, my friend, it was on a cross where Jesus hung almost 2,000 years ago that God the Father placed every sin you would ever commit. Jesus suffered "the wages of sin". He paid the price of death for you! Six hundred years before this event the prophet Isaiah foresaw this and declared: "All we like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way, but the Lord has laid on Him (Jesus Christ) the sins of us all." That includes you!

You see, our works will never be sufficient to bridge the gulf due to sin between God and man. Our works can't bring us to God. Only the cross is long enough, broad enough, strong enough, and sure enough!

 

Is something stirring in your heart right now, longing to have a close intimate relationship with God? Would you like Jesus to bridge the gap? Right now?! Pray this very simple prayer, but pray it wholeheartedly:

"God, I confess that I have sinned against You and hurt You. I deserve death, hell, and separation from You. But thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins, and paying the penalty for my sins. Jesus, I love you. I trust in You. I surrender my life to You as both my Lord and Savior. Please, forgive me for all my sins. Wash them away forever! Come inside my life and change me. I purpose to follow you all my life-forever. Amen."