Becoming A Christian

Interested in learning more about the Christian life?  Aren’t sure that you’re really a Christian?  Have you just been going through the motions?  Here’s how you can come to know God on a personal level for eternity.

God loves you beyond anything you can imagine, and He has a wonderful plan for your life.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3: 16-17).

That God has a plan for our lives does not mean we will never experience suffering or hardship, if we choose to follow Him.  That is a false teaching.  What God promises is that He will walk with us through suffering, and will uphold us despite it.

But sin separates everyone of us from God.  Because of it, we cannot fully experience God’s love or His plan for our lives without the intervention of Jesus Christ.  Worse than that, sin without Christ’s intervention, condemns us to spiritual death and separation from God for all eternity.

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom. 3: 23).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6: 23).

This is a fallen world.  We see the evidence of sin everywhere – in wars, crime, hatred, corruption.  We may think we are no worse than the next man.  But the standard of holiness against which we are measured is God’s, not man’s.

Yet God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take our place and pay the penalty for OUR sins.  That was the reason He died on the cross.

Christ is God’s ONLY provision for man’s sin.  Christ – the sinless sacrifice – willingly gave His life to restore the relationship between God and man.

“Jesus said… ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’ “ (John 14: 6).

“…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…He was buried, and…He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.  After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once…” (1 Cor. 15: 3-6).

Some argue that this is exclusionary.  But they miss the point.  God was under no obligation to extend forgiveness to mankind at all – under no obligation to make any way whatsoever.  Yet God demonstrated His great love for us “that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5: 8).

Christ’s Resurrection was not a pipe dream, not a fantasy Christians devised to console themselves.  It was a historical fact, as real as Christ’s life was.

We must individually accept Christ as our Savior and the Lord of our lives.  We cannot “work” our way to salvation.

“…[I]f you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10: 9).

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name…” (John 1: 12).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2: 8-9).

You can become a Christian right now, wherever you are.  There are no special words necessary.  There is no formula that must be followed.  You admit to God that you are a sinner in need of salvation, turn away from your sins (repent), and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and the Lord of your life.

Here is a simple prayer:

Dear Jesus,

I confess that I am a sinner and that I need Your salvation.  I turn away from my sins and turn toward You, my Savior.  Come into my life, and forgive me for my sins.  Change my heart and fill me with your Holy Spirit.  I commit my life to you now and forever.

Amen

Even if your words are different, God knows your heart.  You may not feel an immediate change.  But if you have sincerely asked Christ to come into your life, He will.

If you’ve asked the Lord into your life, please, call us at (410) 219-1174 or email us at CalvaryChapelOceanGatewaySBY@gmail.com .

Meanwhile, the following steps will help you grow in your walk with the Lord:

  • Pray daily. Prayer is your way of speaking with God.  It need not be formal.  Share your hopes and fears with God.  In fact, share everything on your heart with Him.
  • Get a Bible and read it daily. Ideally, this should be a study Bible which explains difficult passages.  We suggest you begin with the New Testament and the Book of Psalms.
  • Begin attending a church that teaches the Bible. There is nothing more powerful than the work of God’s Word in the lives of His people.