So if you haven't read part one of How Do You Become A Christian, I advise you do so now before you read further. It'll all tie together better with this lesson and leave you less confused. We're picking up from yesterday right where we left off on learning how to become a Christian.
The last thing we talked about yesterday, was that the only way to get to God was to cross the bridge that separates our sinful selves from a holy and perfect God, and that knowing Christ is the only way to cross that bridge isn't enough. So what else do we need to know to ensure that we are saved? Isn't knowing Jesus enough?
The fourth thing I want you all to know is how we are to respond to this truth. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know God personally and experience his plan, because without gaining a relationship with him, we cannot fully experience his love and plan for us.
"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)
We must receive Christ, but we must have faith to receive him:
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
If you just believe that a family member or your best friend loves you, you can't get to know them or develop a better relationship with them by knowing this alone, you have to spend time with them and create a relationship with them. Jesus wants us to know him personally! Read John 3:1-8 to understand the new birth we experience when we receive Christ (I have a link on my home page to an online Bible if you do not own one).
But we are not just given the choice to know Jesus, he personally invites us to get to know him and receive him:
[Christ speaking] "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)
When we receive Christ we must turn away from ourselves (repentance) and turn to God and trust that Christ will come into our lives to forgive us of our sins and make us what he wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for our sins isn't enough, but either is having an emotional experience. We receive Christ by faith, as an act of our will, because God has given us the choice whether or not to believe in his son and to develop a relationship with him.
On the left shows A LIFE WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST. We put ourselves at the center and sitting on the throne, while Christ (+) is outside.On the right shows A LIFE ENTRUSTED TO CHRIST. Christ is in the center, sitting on the throne, and self yields to Christ.
How about you, which circle best describes your life?
Which circle would you like to have represent your life? Just dwell on those questions for a moment.
So, now that we know all the incredible things God has done for us and is doing for us and how much Jesus Christ loves us, how do we receive him into our lives so that we can start to develop a relationship with him?
Right now, you can receive Christ right now, by faith, through prayer. (Prayer is talking to God) God knows your heart and is not as concerned with your words as he is with the attitude of your heart. Be honest and sincere, he knows everything about you! Here is a prayer you can pray to God if you are ready to accept Christ as your Savior and friend so that he may begin to heal and save you:
Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally.
Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins.
I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord.
Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life.
Take control of the throne of my life.
Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?
If it does, pray this prayer right now, and Christ will come into your life (instantly!) as he promised.
God understands that sometimes we may find it difficult to surrender our lives over to him so that he may take control, but don't worry! He only wants good things for you and he provides everything you need to prepare you for a life of faith and acceptance of Christ. I pray that all of you have decided to accept Christ into your heart today. If you have not, that's ok too. If you aren't ready to take this leap of faith, I encourage you to take the time everyday to pray to God and ask that he comfort you and provide you strength to accept his son. It'll be the best thing you've ever done with your life.
Tomorrow, I'll provide you with follow up points so that you are ready for this new life Christ has given you through his bloodshed. Thank you, Jotters for reading through these posts, because just reading them is a step towards a new life of hope. I pray for you all and your new journeys in Christ!
Love you, Trish
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