To Be A Christian!
What's the Problem?
Picture a huge valley in your mind. We are on one side of that valley and God is on the other. The valley is our selfishness and sin and that sin has separated us from God. The Bible says, "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." Isaiah 59:2 (NAS)
When our relationship with God is not right, it causes problems in every area of our lives: Marriage, career, relationships, finances, etc.
What's the Solution? The solution to our sin problem is Jesus. God Himself came to earth as a human being to bring us back to Himself. He paid the price of crossing that valley of sin for us. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me!" John 14:6 (NIV)
God has already done His part to restore our relationship to Him. He took the initiative. Now He waits for each of us to individually accept what He has done for us.
What does God want me to do?
1.) Believe that Jesus died to pay for your sins and that He rose again after three days, and is alive today.
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NIV)
2.) Repent of your sins by turning from a life that is outside of Christ.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30 (NIV)
3.) Confess that God has not been first place in your life and ask him to forgive your sins.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 (NIV)
4.) Commit yourself to him through the obedient act of baptism (immersion).
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:36-37 (NIV)
5.) Remember: God's gift of salvation is free. Don't try to earn it.
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 (NIV) What next?
If you have surrendered your life to Jesus it is important to be in fellowship with other Christians. I encourage you to find a Bible believing church where you can plug in and be encouraged by other believers.
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