Understanding the Message of the Gospel and how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Question: How do I become a Christian and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ?
Answer: First I need to understand the gospel and how it can change my life:
Here’s the problem: Man is sinful and is separated from God.
Every one of us chooses to run from God and rebel against Him, living for ourselves and not for Him. The Bible calls this “sin.” Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Yet God loves you and wants to save you from a life enslaved to sin and self, to offer you a new life of hope with purpose.
Here’s the solution: The good news of the gospel:
God provides the only way to be reconciled to Him through Christ, to give you true life now, and for all eternity with Him. John 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.”
Salvation is a gift initiated by God who made a way to know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus reconciles us to Himself, and redeems us from the punishment of sin.
The gospel is this:
Because the just penalty for sin is infinite and eternal, only God could pay the penalty, because only He is infinite and eternal. But God, in His divine nature, could not die. So God became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. God took on human flesh, lived among us, and revealed Himself. When the people rejected Him and His message, and sought to kill Him, He willingly sacrificed Himself for us, allowing Himself to be crucified (John 10:15). Because Jesus Christ was human, He could die; and because Jesus Christ was God, His death had an eternal and infinite value. Jesus’ death on the cross was the perfect and complete payment for our sin (1 John 2:2). He took the consequences we deserved. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead demonstrated that His death was indeed the perfectly sufficient sacrifice for sin.
Romans 6:26 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
The truth of the gospel is in Jesus.
“Christ died for our sins. … He was buried. … He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Jesus is the only way to God.
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).
Here’s the invitation: You receive this gift by faith alone
Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you are saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is God’s gift-not from works, so that no one can boast.”
It is only by faith in Jesus Christ and in His substitutionary atoning death on the cross that we can be saved. By His grace, when we repent and believe in Him, He makes us right with God.
Romans 10:9 says, “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.”
Faith is a decision of your heart that is demonstrated by the actions of your life. To repent means to change one’s direction completely. Turn your back on sin as Christ forgives you, and choose to live a new life following and serving Him.
It is not just a religious system or rules to live by, but Christianity is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, a relationship that lasts all eternity. A relationship that transforms your life as He leads you.
If you believe that Jesus died for your sins and desire to receive forgiveness and new life through Him, you can pray a prayer similar to this to express your repentance and faith in Him:
“Dear Lord,
I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died
for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I now accept your offer of eternal life and repent from my sin. I want to trust you as my Savior and choose to follow you as Lord,
from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. Thank you for the new life you bring as I surrender to you.
I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
The prayer itself is not magic, but the attitude of the heart and the surrender of your life by faith in Christ as your Lord, is what brings salvation. If you have now trusted Jesus for salvation, share your decision with a Christian friend or pastor. If you are not already attending church, find one in which you can worship and grow in your faith. We encourage you to become a part of a local church who focuses on teaching the Bible and can help you grow in your faith and service to the Lord.
If you need further assistance contact us. We rejoice in your decision to follow Christ and pray you will trust Him daily as He leads you.
Here’s the Promise: John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
A Christian is a person who has put their faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for sins and His resurrection on the third day. The mark of a Christian is a love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4, 10). If you have taken this step to trust Christ, as a new believer you are now a child of God and one who has been given new life in Jesus Christ. Live in a way that honors Him. You have purpose and meaning and a relationship with the Savior now and for all eternity.
This is reason to celebrate.
If you would like to speak with someone further about a relationship with Christ, call us at 479-310-5220 or email us at [email protected]
See these resources for spiritual growth: Discovering your purpose, Help in growing in your new relationship with Christ.
by Dani Cypert, Customer Care Manager for MissionGuide.global, a pastor’s wife, mission trip leader and participant.