How to Become a Christian
The Holy Bible is an expression of God's love for you.

This love was shown when Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, was born into the world as a human being, lived a sinless life, was crucified until dead, and rose from the grasp of death. Christ died so that your sins could be forgiven, and because He conquered death you can have eternal life. You can know for sure what will become of you after you die.

You have probably heard the story of God’s love referred to as the "Gospel." The word Gospel simply means "Good News." The Gospel is the Good News that, because of what Christ has done, we can be forgiven and can live forever in eternity.

But this gift of forgiveness and eternal life cannot be yours unless you willingly accept it. God requires an individual response from you. The following verses from the Bible show God's part and yours in this process:

God's love is revealed in the Bible

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." --John 3:16

God loves you.

He wants to bless your life and make it full and complete. And He wants to give you a life which will last forever, even after you experience physical death.

We are sinful

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." --Romans 3:23

As sinners we feel estranged from God's love. We feel undeserving and unforgivable. We are human and suffer the short comings of our humanness. God is pure and perfect. We are all worthy of His love and forgiveness if, with truness of spirit and a contrite heart we humble ourselves and ask for His forgiveness. He wants to forgive your sins and He wants you to forgive yourself and accept Him into your heart.

Sin has a penalty

"For the wages of sin is death." --Romans 6:23

Just as criminals must pay the penalty for their crimes, sinners must pay the penalty for their sins. If you continue to sin, you will pay the penalty of spiritual death: You will not only die physically; you will also be separated from our holy God for all eternity. The Bible teaches that those who choose to remain separated from God will spend eternity in a place called hell.

Christ has paid our penalty!

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." --Romans 5:8

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, has paid the penalty for all your sins. You may think you have to lead a good life and do good deeds before God will love you. But the Bible says that Christ loved you enough to die for you, even when you were rebelling against Him.

Salvation is a free gift

"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: forgiveness of sins and eternal life, God's gift to you is free. You do not have to work for a gift. All you have to do is joyfully receive it, Believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ died for you!

Christ is at your heart's door

"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." --Revelation 3:20

Jesus Christ wants to have a personal relationship with you. Picture, if you will, Jesus Christ standing at the door of your heart (the door of your emotions, intellect and will). Invite Him in; He is waiting for you to receive Him into your heart and life.

You must receive Him

"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, and have the privilege of talking to Him in prayer at any time about anything. The Christian life is a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ. And best of all, it is a relationship that will last for all eternity.

How do I ask Him? Pray. Prayer is simply talking to God, not magic words. Your prayer should be your own, from your own heart. If you're not in the habit of praying, though, you may need an example. Such a prayer may go something like this: Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I was made for You, but I've been living for me. I want to begin a relationship with You now. I believe that You died in my place, to pay the penalty for my sin, and rose again for my salvation. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.

You have made the decision to accept the Lord Jesus into your heart. You have made that commitment to Him in heartfelt prayer and supplication. You have confessed your sins to The Father and have asked for His Holy Forgiveness. You, in your heart, mind and soul have become a Christian. From that moment, you are born again in the Spirit and have committed your entire being, your life, to the service of The Master.

What next? Often, after the emotional experience of accepting Jesus, becoming a born again Christian, we are left to our own devices to continue on the righteous path. The most vulnerable time in a born again Christians life is that time right after the commitment is made, the prayers are prayed, the promises are made. If at a Church Service, the new "baby" Christian leaves for home with a feeling of absolute exuberance. What happens the next day or after a week?

It is really important at this time to seek out a bible-believing church in your area so that you can be "mentored" by Christians that can help you grow in your faith. Start reading the bible on a daily basis-there are new modern day versions that are easier to understand at your local christian bookstore. Pray-you develop a deeper relationship with God when you spend time communicating with Him, just like you would get to know a new friend. If you have trouble connecting with a good local church or have specific questions, please feel free to contact me.God bless you in your new journey with Him:)