The Bible gives us a guide to becoming a Christian, along with what He asks of those who bear (represent) His Son’s name. In order to understand our need for a Savior, we must first understand that we are all sinners and not one of us can live up to standard of the pure life needed to enter into heaven or even approach such a Holy God while here on earth. The Bible tells us that “We are constant sinners; how can people like us be saved? We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” Isaiah 64:5-6. But luckily, as Hebrews 4:14-15 states, “…since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God…This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” So we must confess to God that we are sinners who cannot save ourselves from the punishment we deserve and turn from our disobedient, sinful ways. We then need to decide if we are willing to accept the invitation to become Gods child and receive the free gift of eternal life that we cannot earn. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

 

Since we are unable to save ourselves, we must decide if we believe that Jesus, the Son of God, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. If so, then pray to God, telling Him that you believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for all of your impure acts and thoughts (sin) and that without the shedding of His blood you could never be “good enough” to enter into His presence or into heaven. Romans 10:9-10 “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

 

It is also important to follow through in identifying yourself with Christ's death, burial and resurrection by obeying the scriptures that instruct us to be Baptized. The original Greek word used in the following scripture is “baptízō” – meaning to properly, “submerge”; hence, baptize, to immerse (literally, “dip under”).  When we are baptized, our old inner man is being buried and when we come up out if the water, we are a new creation in Christ. Acts 2:37b-38 “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”, just as Jesus did in Matthew 3:13, 15-16 “Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.” This Baptism of both Spirit and Water leads to a new transformed life…2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

 

If you have just accepted Christ into your heart and life, have confessed to God that you are a sinner and that you believe in Jesus and His sacrifice and asked Gods Spirit to come into your heart, then it’s time to reach out to someone you trust :) Someone that can guide you in your new life as a Child of God and who can guide you to a good church home where you can obey God, by following through with your baptism. If you don’t know of someone, feel free to contact me and I can try to help get you connected with someone near you. With this free gift and simple but amazing plan for salvation, it’s important to keep in mind that the Christian life shouldn’t stop there. God has high expectations for His children who “bear” or represent His name. We should strive to “remain in Him” by spending time daily reading His Word (Bible) and in prayer. This way our growing love for Him will guide us to live in a way that both pleases God and will lead others to His saving grace as well. It’s also important to begin searching for a Church home for encouragement and direction for your daily walk as His child.