Be a Christian

Have you felt the tug of the Spirit and Love on your life? If you believe in Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior, you begin to live in Christ by "grace through faith, saved unto good works". Faith is an essential part of your personal life: as when you have Live by Faith in people to drive at 70 mph in two-way traffic with perhaps only a stripe separating you from a head on collision.

Faith in God is not at all as scary as that example. If you have chosen to become a Christian, but you don't know whether there is more to do or not, this article will shed some light on receiving your new life and living in God's love.

Becoming a Christian is easy and does not require any rites or rituals, though some churches have classes and confirmation by a pastor or priest. Your new beginning in your new birth, however, leads into the personal development of serving others and living in Christ as discussed below.

Steps

Conversion

  1. See your need of Jesus. Take a look at the Ten Commandments for a moment. Have you ever lied? Blasphemed? Stolen (even something small)? Looked at someone with adulterous or lustful feelings? In Christianity, we are born with original sin, and act as sinners through our lives, even after accepting Jesus: as Jesus said, "If you look upon a woman to lust, then you are guilty of adultery already" (Matthew 5:27-28). He who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. ( 1 John 3:15). You have to face God on judgment day to give an account of your sins. If you die in your sins, God has to send you away from Himself to Hell, called the second death, for transgressing His law.
    • Realize, however, that He sent Jesus to give Himself willingly on the cross and so: If you believe, receive the Holy Spirit, and repent of your sins, then after you are saved, you will also serve others as if it is to God himself.
    • As Son of Man, Jesus said, "Father, if it is your will, let this bitter cup pass from me -- nevertheless, 'not my will but thine be done'.", giving Himself freely as the sacrifice for you so that you may now turn, "repent (change your mind) therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out/wiped away, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" (Acts 3:19)[1]
  2. Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins. Believe, further, that Jesus died and rose again from the dead to pay the penalty for your sins and make you right with God. Believe the basic doctrine of Christ's redemptive death and resurrection
  3. Repent which means, "turn to God" for salvation. Verbalize your belief in Jesus' forgiveness and your regret for all the ways you have fallen short of His holiness. This is a good time to admit your personal failure and disobedience to God. Believe that Jesus Christ forgives you. Repentance always expresses itself in a changed life; you turn from sin and to Jesus Christ; then, accept your free gift of salvation by faith in Jesus' redemptive death through grace from God.
    • Express reliance upon God: Specifically, confess your spiritual need and acknowledge for yourself Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
    • You need the Gospel of Christ: The good news of Jesus Christ, that you broke His Law but Christ took your punishment, paying your sin-fine. It is not earned, it is strictly given by God's grace. He grants us repentance and faith in His Son in order to save us from Hell.
    • Learn the difference between churches of the Gospel. Choose a Christian meeting to attend and fellowship. Consider and decide on the Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Nondenominational, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Mormon, etc. denominations in order to decide which one is the closer to what Christ taught, according to His words in the Bible.

Growth and Obedience

  1. Find community and assembly with other Christians. We cannot walk alone in life. It is important that as a Christian you find a group of supportive and seasoned Christian believers who can help you and encourage you in your new faith and continuing trust in God. You may find it helpful to talk to a Christian. Choose someone that you respect for his or her integrity and knowledge as a Christian.
  2. Be baptised. Baptism is about coming into the community of Christ. Baptism comes from the Greek word "Baptizo", when translated it means to be "fully submerged. It is baffling why some religions today merely sprinkle with water, instead of baptizing as it says in the Bible. This is the second step of salvation, after repentance. It may be thought of as a self portrait of your joining with Christ in the death and resurrection in your heart (core of your being) and in the eye of the observer. “Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”[2] Baptism was described by the apostle Paul as: "Therefore we are planted together (united) with Him by baptism into death: that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."[3]
    • Continue your walk . After you have accepted Christ by receiving the Holy Spirit, fellowship with Him in your daily life by praying, reading the Bible, and following Christ's example.
  3. Love Jesus and love others with the love that Jesus gives you. These things reflect your changed heart, and love one of the most important aspects of a Christian life.
    • Be truthful to God and Jesus. Truly repent of your actions and thought, and seek, then accept God's love and His plan and then be saved by His grace. It's really bad for you to not confess, repent and to be saved, but if you are not, you will then die in Hell (and nobody ever wants that to happen). If you ever want to see your friends and family in Heaven and to tell them all about your life. Well, isn't that what you want?
  4. Be amazed when you understand what Ephesians 2:8--10 says:[4]
    ""8. For it is "by grace" you have been saved, "through faith"--

    and this "not of yourselves", it is the "gift of God"--

    9. "not by works", so that no one can boast.

    10. For we are God's workmanship

    "created" in Christ Jesus "to do good works",

    which God prepared in advance for us to do.    "    (Ephesians 2:8--10) So if you are saved, live to do good to others, according to God's law of love...
  5. Read the Holy Bible as much as possible. Then you will begin to understand what you need to do with your walk with the Lord. In order to become a Christian, you need to grow in Christ:

Two Simple Keys

  1. Learn about Jesus and believe that He died, rose from the dead as your Savior and then pray for repentance to the one, true God repenting, similar to: "Father, God, I turn from my sin, all my wrong doing; I want to change, and I truly thank you for everything you have done and that I am now freely forgiven and saved from the penalty for my sins -- as a free gift, and you do place a new life in me. Thank you for your gift for me of receiving The Holy Spirit in Jesus' name."
  2. Walk in love; follow Jesus, telling others that "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2:5) the Son of God, who is Lord and Savior for everyone who believes, repents and follows Him, and, yes, you must follow -- and so, (Live by the Spirit:"

    "Following Jesus Christ" will include going to Christian meetings with people of like faith, being Baptised, in the name of the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, as a sign of accepting your new life, praying to God, reading the Bible, and showing God's love by kindness, forgiving others, making peace, having a faithful, loving relationship with believers (don't live by feelings; judge no one harshly, not even yourself; live and walk in Christ's Spirit, The Spirit of God, in faith, hope and charity. So, live in the Spirit and no one can snatch you out of Jesus' hands and The Father's hands; that is safety, secured.) But, when you (in your mind) are convicted of sin, expecting consequences for it, ask for forgiveness (so that you can be forgiven), and you can keep on living as a Child of God, all in Christ Jesus' name -- with God as the one, true Judge of all things both good and bad. God's love is perfect and casts out all fear.

Tips

  • Remember that God loves you no matter what and is always there for you. You can talk to Him any time, through prayer.
  • To all true Christians, Christianity is not just a religion of the adoration of the divine; it's a personal relationship with Jesus, the one mediator between God and man, with the Spirit of God as your friend and comforter living in you and you in Christ (as Jesus promised He will never leave you).
  • Don't curse unnecessarily (i.e.: it's not necessary). If somebody says something that hurts you, don't retaliate. After all, when the Lord Himself was accused of guilt (when He didn't do anything wrong as He is holy), He didn't retaliate or even get angry. Follow His example.
  • God can not lie or make mistakes. Don't ever think He did something wrong or bad. He knows exactly what He's doing, and all of His plans for you are good and attainable, if you walk in the straight and narrow path He places before you.
  • Read and be encouraged by inspiring examples of God working in lives[5] of people who have become Christians and have received miracles and healings -- that can help you to believe what God can do for you, being a Christian.
  • Remember it isn't just prayer. After your repentance you can receive the Holy Spirit and the power to live a Christ-like life.
  • Also, God created you to be joyful in life. Please do not mistake Christianity as some set of moral codes to live by that takes away exciting, sinful pleasures of life. Accept God as your source with exceeding joy; may that be the main issue. God is most glorified when you are most satisfied in Him. He created us to know, love, and serve Him ("Whatever you do to the least of my children, you do to Me!" said Jesus), and to enjoy Him (and share His purposes) in this life and the next. When we fulfill the purpose we were created for, we experience deep fulfillment, peace and joy even through the hard times in life.
  • Don't just look at articles. Although you may think reading casually on religion will help you, it is only a beginning step. You can find God by following in His path. Jesus said follow me and "I and my Father will come to you and live/stay with you..."
  • As often as you receive Holy Communion -- as a gift from Christ for all of us who love Him -- do so in remembrance of Jesus Christ giving His life's blood and body as explained by He, Himself, concerning the bread and the wine at "The Lord's Supper." "Holy Communion" is the Literal Presence of Christ for us all to receive.
  • Please don't waste this precious life. We only have one shot to make life in Christ our purpose in everything.
  • Know that when you become a true Christian, you will have a new attitude toward God.

    • You should hate the sin that you used to love after you repent of your sins and turn to Him.
    • God will give you a new heart with new desires when He gives you the Holy Spirit.
  • When reading the Bible, don't just read pages of words.

    • Reading pages just to look good and think you're doing a good thing is not the point.
    • Simply study small portions at a time, or as much as you can "absorb" mentally without being overwhelmed.
  • You will find it helpful to continue to study who Jesus says He is and what He has done.

    • It is extremely helpful to examine the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
    • You will want to learn how His sinless condition, His unjust execution and His resurrection from the dead makes forgiveness possible for those who believe in Him.
  • The Holy Bible states that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23). In other words, each and every person has done wrong.

    • Romans 6:23 continues, "The wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives us everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord."
    • Because God loved you, He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem you, by dying in your place. Thus, He Himself, once, took responsibility for and paid for all our trespasses (a tremendous debt of sin), in order that we may continue, individually, to become able to, without being ashamed, freely approach God in prayer and each one openly come into a personal relationship with Him, adopted and transformed as His own deeply loved and "Yes!", His [adored] children. His love is perfect, with the power to overcome through His all sufficient grace, abundant, that His Holy Spirit should reside in you, and His blood, as your Father flow within your veins as a child of The King. Thus, you yourself, then "walking not with but in Him" by receiving His measure of faith, a free gift -- that you may serve Him (by loving others, thus showing Him forth).
  • The Holy Bible documents the redemptive works of God in this world. The Christian Bible is divided into two categories of Old Testament and New Testament. The Protestant Bible contains 66 and Catholic Bible contains 73 books, and different Eastern Orthodox Bibles have varying numbers of books. That difference is in the number of books of Jewish writers included in the Old Testament. The number of books in the New Testament volume does not vary but is the same among those denominations.
    • The first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels (the "good news") because they present the life-changing Gospel that brings you the new life in Jesus Christ. The book of John is generally recognized as a good place to start to understand the teachings of Jesus Christ.
    • The book of Revelations is the last book in the Bible and is a very interesting book to read, but jumping right into it can be distracting and scary by giving the reader only one large piece of the Biblical message that may seem to give mystical thrills, not whole saving faith that you need. Be sure you understand its place in the context of the Gospel before reading this complicated book of the Bible.
  • You need nothing to become a Christian, but to repent after hearing the Gospel so that you then follow Jesus Christ. You receive Christ's Holy Spirit "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesian 2:8--10). We were told to be baptized, and to show love to the least of God's children, as unto the Lord, but we do not earn salvation by doing that work.
    • But, Jesus said, "If you do not love one another, you are none of mine." And so, Jesus explained God's amazing gift to us when He was asked about not loving each other: " 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?' "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of my children, you did not do it to Me.' These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:44-46)
    • Remember when you get baptized it is an act of obedience but cannot grant you salvation by itself. You must repent, believe and place your faith in Jesus Christ.
    • Most protestant churches encourage you to be baptized as a symbol of your personal conversion, repenting/turning to God and being thankful for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for payment of your sin debt, to be saved.
    • Catholic and Orthodox Churches Sacraments welcoming you into the Church are structured, and there you need to seek formal spiritual guidance (such as confirmation from a priest) in those Churches.
  • You don't need to be baptized to go to Heaven or to be a Christian, it is simply a public showing of our faith.

Warnings

  • There are many non-believers, but that doesn't mean you can't be friends with them. Be an example; your attitude should be like that of Christ. Although Christ sat and ate with sinners, He taught and lead them to become saints. We all stumble in many ways. Remember the height from which you've fallen! Forgive as Christ God forgave you.
  • Although Christians do experience problems, you will also experience amazing forgiveness, grace, healing and miracles including the miracle of Salvation and everlasting life. Jesus has promised to help, so thanking God for life and eternal hope in Him, never give up.
  • Although you may have been persuaded that when you become a Christian: things will always be better; your marriage will heal; you won't be sick; all problems in life will be resolved, etc. But, "No!" that is simply untrue. Jesus said that because they hated Him, people will also hate you (Matthew 24:9). You may be mocked, laughed at and persecuted. Don't let this get you down. This life doesn't last very long, and your reward is great in Heaven.
  • You could keep a journal and write about your experiences with God in everyday life. For example, make a prayer journal such as keeping a record of your Keep a Prayer Record. If you doubt or waiver, then expect nothing amazing beyond salvation from God.
  • If you feel the need for change in your life, want to be free from the oppression of your sins, and want to learn to live a better life without the burdens of your past, then visit a Christian church and take a look at the Bible verse John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him shall not die but will have everlasting life." This means that God sent His son, Jesus, to take on the burden of our sins and free us through our trust and belief in Him.
  • Remember that all human beings are incomplete, sinful people. When you sin, repent of your sins.
  • There are denominations (branches) of Christianity which have differing approaches to doctrines. Seek out a Christian church that teaches from the Bible and that you are happy with. not from their own personal interpretations. Some beliefs/ teachings/ traditions vary from denomination, as does the congregation's personal beliefs. Find a church you are happy with, and if something seems off, or goes against your personal beliefs, ask someone and talk about it.
  • Don't try to do things to earn your way to Heaven because being saved is "not by works."(Ephesians 2:9) Your righteous deeds are "no more effective for true reconciliation with God than filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Visualize trying to clean or purify yourself with dirty rags... But, you need to repent (change your mind) of your sins. Without true repentance, you cannot become a Christian. Confess your sins to Christ.
  • Be faithful in your witness for Christ. Every Christian is to preach the Gospel in word and deed, but do this with gentleness and respect. Christ did not preach what people wanted to hear. If He had, our Lord wouldn't have been crucified. People will get offended, but make sure, if they do get offended, that it wasn't done unjustly or hypocritically.
  • You decide whether to receive Jesus Christ and to be a Christian. But not all people who "call" themselves Christians believe in the things laid out in the Bible or this article. Some do not believe in a Divine Jesus, Hell, or original sin. But they may still call themselves Christian as a form of godliness, despite denying its Truth. The most important thing about living as a Christian is believing in the Get to the Point With Christ like Jesus taught, and following the Golden Rule. Of course, Jesus taught belief in God as real, all powerful and as the judge, and so to live as Jesus taught as Christian, one will believe in God, and believe in Jesus also...
  • You could read books based on Biblical scriptures for doctrines that interest you. Or, study the writings of the Early Church (as in the Bible), as well as the history of Christianity. Try not to feel negatively influenced or guilty for any bad things reported that other Christians have done. While you share a faith, their beliefs may have been different, as was the level of Biblical education in the past. There were only hand written copies of the Bible to read until about 1600, when practical methods of printing were invented.

Things You'll Need

  • The Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ -- as found in the Bible

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ Acts 3:19 "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away..."
  2. ↑ Acts‬ ‭2:38‬ ‭MEV‬‬ http://bible.com/1171/act.2.38.mev
  3. ↑ Romans 6:4 "new life"
  4. ↑ http://bible.cc/ephesians/2-8.htm
  5. ↑ "www.ourGodanswers.com Examples of people on being Christian"
  • Christian Answers for more information and answers to questions about Christianity
  • Living Waters for more resources and information
  • Revival Centres more resources explaining the miracle of "what must I do to be saved..." according to the Bible
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