Becoming A Christian

The Gospel is the Power of God unto salvation, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith,” Romans 1:17.

God, in His infinite holiness, because of His great love, has provided a means by which sinful humanity may be forgiven of sin and reconciled to Him. Jesus Christ left the glories of Heaven and humbled Himself and dwelt among men. He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect, sinless life, and died on a cross, appeasing the wrath of God and atoning for the sin of all who believe. He was raised to new life, triumphing over the power of death, ascended to the Father and now is the mediator for sinful man. He rules and reigns as Lord of His spiritual Kingdom, and will return for His children in bodily form. He is the only hope for sinful humanity who must come to Him through turning from sin and putting their faith in His finished work on the cross.

1. Realize that sin separates mankind from Holy God, and we are dead in our sins, deserving His wrath and judgment.
   1. Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
   2. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2. Understand you cannot gain eternal life by anything you do on your own.
   1. Romans 3:10-11, “10As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; 11There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.’”
   2. Ephesians 2:8-9, “8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
3. Believe that God provided the only means of forgiveness through Christ’s death on a cross and resurrection to life.
   1. John 3:16, “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.”
   2. Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
4. You must be truly sorry for your sins and desire to turn from them in faith to the Lord Jesus, asking Him for forgiveness, believing that He is Lord and Master and the only way to be saved.
   1. John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
   2. Romans 10:9-13, “9 that if 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. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
5. Truly turning from your sin to Christ by faith is marked by full surrender to His Lordship. A person who is headed to Heaven is One who wants to live for Him on earth.
   1. John 3:3, “Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.”
   2. Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”