How do I know I am a Christian?
A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ; it is someone who has made the decision to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, accepting Him as Savior (the One who delivers us from the consequences of our sin and offers us eternal life) and Lord (the One who is master and ruler of our lives). 1 John 5:11-12 says, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
If I want to accept Christ, what do I need to do?
Accepting Jesus is not about reciting magical words; it is a decision of the heart and will to believe that Jesus is who He says He is (The Son of God) and to choose to follow Him. The decision begins with the recognition that we are all sinners and are incapable of having a relationship with a perfect and Holy God on our own merit.
Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 tells us that “the wages (penalty) of our sin is death (eternal separation from God).” But, that same verse in Romans 6:23 also tells us that “the gift of God is eternal life though Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:8 puts it this way, “God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us.” Because of God’s amazing grace and love, He sent His own Son Jesus to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sin and to offer us new life in Him through His death and Resurrection. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not die, but have everlasting life.”
The steps to accept Christ are simple and straightforward:
Admit you are a sinner (Romans 3:23)
Believe that Jesus died on the Cross for your sins (Romans 5:8)
Pray and ask Jesus to be your Savior and Lord (John 3:16)
Your prayer may sound something like this…”Lord, I admit I am a sinner and fall short of the perfect standard you set for me. Thank you for loving me enough to send Jesus to die on the cross in my place. Thank you for His Resurrection on Easter morning that I might have new life through Him. I humbly offer my life to Him as my Savior and my Lord."
If you pray that prayer and mean it in your heart, you are a Christian; you are now a child of God and a member of His family. Your next step is to get plugged into His church family in order for you to grow up in Him. We are happy to help you in any way we can in that process.
I Accepted Christ TODAY!