How to become a Christian
God’s loving plan
God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (The Bible, in Jeremiah 29:11). God wants to have a relationship with you that is eternal.
Our problem
Many people try to earn a place with God in heaven by performing "good" deeds such as attending church, or giving money to the poor. Despite all these good intentions it is impossible to earn our entrance into heaven or into a personal relationship with God. The obstacle preventing us from establishing a relationship with God is our sin. It is something we all have in common, because we were all born with it. The Bible says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
God’s answer
The punishment for our sin is not just a bad day or a slap on the wrist. It's an eternity of separation from God. The Bible calls this hell. We can’t change this but God can. He sent His Son Jesus two thousand years ago to change everything. Through Jesus, we can receive a new life in relationship with God – we can be ‘born again’. This wonderful event occurs when we receive forgiveness of sin and start a new life with God in control.
Jesus' death on the cross removed the one barrier separating you from a relationship with God. Romans 5:8 says: "God demonstrates His own love toward us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This is how a loving and just God dealt with the problem of sin. He provided the only way to heaven, through belief in God's Son, Jesus.
Our part
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). True belief is about accepting that Jesus is God's Son, admitting your sin to Him, and choosing to follow Him. It is giving Him control of your life. To begin, you need to pray (which is simply talking to God). Here is a prayer you can use: "God, I realise I need a Saviour. I confess that I have sinned and I know that my sin will keep me out of heaven. I realise there is nothing I can do to earn my way into heaven. Right now I place all my trust in Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. I now accept you as my Lord and Saviour, and I commit my life to you. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me your Holy Spirit."
If you really meant that prayer, you are now a new-born child of God! Just as a newborn baby needs food and nourishment it is also important for you to get involved in a Christian group that will encourage you. Don’t try to be a Christian on your own. Find other Christians who will help you. Your local Bible-believing church will be a good place to start!
