BECOMING A CHRISTIAN:
Each individual has to decide for himself or herself what to do about the Gospel, or 'Good News' of Jesus Christ. If someone is willing to put their trust in Jesus then they can become a Christian.
Being a Christian is not a 'one-off' decision, but it involves building up a relationship with God through Christ which will last through all the ups and downs of life. Initially it's the case of coming off one road and getting on another which will take you in God's direction rather than your own.
The Christian life is one which demands that we become disciplined followers of Jesus and His Teachings. But it is quite impossible for us to get onto the right road without God's help in the first place.
HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN:
There are a number of things which happen as you become a Christian:
First, you accept that you need God's help to make it through life and death.
If making the grade depended on us we would all fail to reach the required standard (most of us would fail to reach the standards we set for ourselves, so we are well short of God's standard.) The word 'sin' means to miss the target and a miss is as good as a mile.
The Bible puts this clearly when it says,
''There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.''
Second, you acknowledge what happens if you don't get changed.
The Bible says,
''The wages of sin is death...''
As long as you live and say ''I did it my way'' then you are not doing it God's way. The net result is that you are dead to all that God wants for you. If you do not have a living relationship with God is this world you cannot expect to have one in the next.
Third, Believe that Jesus is the resurrected Son of God.
God had to do something about our 'sin' for He knew there was nothing we could do. So God sent His Son Jesus Christ who became one of us. All the way through His life Jesus reached God's standards never once missing the mark or sinning against God. There was no way He deserved the wages of sin which is death, yet He was put to death on Calvary's Cross. It was so unfair, that ever since then, individuals who acknowledge their need of God's help and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, their 'account' with God is settled. It's as if Jesus paid the price of our sin, which is death.
Fourth, this becomes effective for you as soon as you ask Jesus to become your Lord and Saviour, and invite His Holy Spirit to start living in your life.
As the Bible says,
''The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.''
This is not the end of the story, it is only the beginning.
In Christ we have a New Life, "eternal" not just in quantity but in quality too.
We start listening more efficiently to God through prayer and bible study, and bit by bit we are enabled to live a life obeying the teachings of Jesus, including his command to be baptised.
''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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.''
If you would like to become a Christian and experience this New Life for yourself you are welcome to pray to God using this simple prayer:
''Father God, please hear my prayer. I believe that you sent Jesus who died on the Cross and was raised back to life. I am sorry for the way I have lived for me and not for you. Please forgive me for the past and make me a friend of Jesus. Come into my life through the person of the Holy Spirit, and help me to live a New Life more acceptable to you. Help me whenever I fail. Never let me go. Help me to get to know you better day by day. Amen.
Do not be afraid to tell people what you have done. They may be able to help you understand any differences which might happen in your life.
The Bible says,
"Everyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.''
