Hey everyone!
As always, it is my hope that you are continuing to walk and grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. I’m embarrassed to say, but it just occurred to me that not everyone who reads this site is a born-again Christian. If that is the case, and you want the opportunity to become one, then I truly apologize for not posting this earlier. I found this website that covers all bases (all the fonts in bold are found at joycemeyer.org):
How to Become a Christian
Why am I here? Who am I? What will happen when I die? These questions have intrigued people throughout the ages. And the answers can be discovered by understanding God’s plan of salvation.
You have probably heard the story of God's love referred to as the "Gospel" or "Good News." What is the Good News? Simply this: Because of what Jesus has done, your sins can be forgiven and you can live forever.
What did Jesus do? Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world as a human being, lived a sinless life, died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Because Christ died to pay for our sins, your sins can be forgiven. And because He conquered death, you can have eternal life—you can know for sure what will happen to you after you die.
But this gift of forgiveness and eternal life cannot be yours unless you willingly ask for it. God requires an individual response from you.
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."
What does this mean? Jesus Christ wants to have a personal relationship with you. He is waiting for you to receive Him into your heart and life. All you have to do is invite Him in.
But your first step is to ask for forgiveness:
Repent...that your sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come from the Lord. —Acts 3:19
Once you’ve asked for forgiveness, your next step is to believe and trust in the gift God is giving you.
Understand, this gift of forgiveness and eternal life is free. It’s something you can’t earn.
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
The word grace means "undeserved favor." It means God is offering you something you could never provide for yourself. You don’t have to work for this gift. All you have to do is believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ died for you. Do you believe?
The Bible promises that when you sincerely ask God for forgiveness and trust in Jesus, you will experience new life in Christ.
That 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
Today, with all your heart, surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Confess your sins. Ask God to forgive you. Say that you'll trust in Jesus. And thank Him for the gift of everlasting life. Pray now:
"Father, I know that I have sinned against You. Please forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust in Jesus, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself when He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead. I surrender my life to Jesus today.
"Thank You, Father, for Your gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus' name, Amen."
There is nothing magical about the words you use. It is the attitude of your heart that God cares about.
Your final step in becoming a Christian is to receive this free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. The Bible teaches:
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. —John 1:12
When you receive Christ into your heart, you become a child of God. You have the privilege of talking to Him in prayer. At any time. About anything.
The Christian life is a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. And best of all, it is a relationship that will last for all eternity. Joyfully receive it!
If you want another example of how to do a Salvation Prayer, you can use the following, but remember this is the beginning of a new relationship, not religious practice. More than anything God wants you to speak from your heart.
“Dear Heavenly Father, I am coming to you asking that you forgive me of all the sins that I have committed. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins and on the third day rose again and conquered death and the grave (Romans 10:9-10;13). I believe Your Body and Blood is more than enough to cleanse me of my sins if I choose to accept. I know that I can no way save myself, but You are the Mediator who makes it possible for me to come to throne of grace (John 14:6; Hebrews 4:14-16). This day, I choose to repent (turn away from) all my sinful ways and walk in your ways (Joshua 22:5). Thank you for coming into my heart and making it new (Psalm 51:10). Satan, I renounce your ways and no longer choose to walk in darkness, but in light (Acts 26:18). No longer will I be controlled by sin or the desire to please myself, but follow Christ all of the days of my life.
Thank you Jesus for making me your child and having me become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21)! Amen!”
If you just prayed this prayer or something similar to it, you have just become a Child of the Most High!
Until next time....
