The family here at Living Hope are thrilled that you are reading this right now and we believe that it is no accident. The idea of becoming a Christian is something you may be curious about, have questions about, or are simply seeking a deeper understanding of. This question can show up in several different ways:
“How can I be saved?”
“How can I become a Christian?”
“How do I become a follower of Jesus Christ?”
So here's the thing. You don't exist by some accident. God created you, loves you and He wants you to know Him through His Son, Jesus. But here's the problem. There is sin in our world and it is sin that separates us from God. What is “sin?” Sin is our failure to live up to God's holiness and His standards. We can sin by the things we do, the choices we make, the attitudes we harbor and even the thoughts we entertain. Sin is also when we fail to do the right that we know we should. The Bible affirms this truth, There is none righteous, not even one. Romans 3:10 This means that no matter how hard we try to be good, none of us can do good all the time. All of us fall short and sin.
Now, if you're like most people you divide people into two groups, “good” people and “bad” people. But God says that every person who has ever lived is a sinner, and because sin separates us from God, we are separated from God. No matter what we think about ourselves, no matter how good you and I may think we are or how many good things we may do, we are still sinners. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
So what is the answer for this sin problem? How do we get back to God?
This is where many experience confusion. Some people think they will be punished or rewarded based on how good they are. Some believe that they have to become good or get their life “right” before they try to come to God. Others have a hard time believing that Jesus can love them when no one else seems to or they don't even love themselves. Here's the thing, and it is GREAT news for you. God DOES love you! He loves you more than you can even imagine! And get this, there is nothing you can ever do that will change that! He loves you no matter what! Yes, our sin demands a punishment and the punishment for sin is death and separation from God. But because God loves you so much He took care of this punishment through His Son. He sent Jesus to die for your sins. God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
So how do you make your way back to God? How do you get rid of your sin problem?
Well, you can't do it for yourself, no matter how hard you try. You can't make yourself right by being a better person or doing more good things. Only God can rescue us from our sins. He is willing to do this not because of anything you can do or offer Him, but because of His GREAT love for you!
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. Titus 3:5
It is only God's grace that allows you to come to Him, not your efforts to “clean up” your life or doing good things. You can never earn it- It's a FREE gift.
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
For you to come to God means that the penalty of your sin must be paid. God's gift to you is His Son, Jesus. Jesus is the one who paid the penalty for your sin when He died on the cross. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Isn't it great to realize that Jesus paid it all for us?
Yes, sin separates us from God and causes us to be separated from Him in heaven as well. But Jesus paid the price for our sin by giving His life on a cross at a place called “Calvary,” just outside the city of Jerusalem in ancient Israel. But this wasn't the end. God brought Jesus back from the dead. This is how God provided you a way to have a personal relationship with Him. When we realize that we have a sin problem that we can't fix, that our sin and separation from God causes Him great grief, then we see how desperate we are in need of a Savior. It is at this point we are ready to receive God's offer of salvation. To admit that we are sinners means that we turn away from our sin and turn to Jesus. The Bible calls this “repentance,” which simply means that we change our thinking about how grievous sin is and begin to align our thinking with God's. It's really that simple to do. All that is left for you to do is simply accept the gift that Jesus is offering to you right now.
If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10: 9 & 10
God says that if you believe in His Son, Jesus, you can have a relationship with Him, and someday you will live with Him for eternity in heaven.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
Are you ready to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus is offering you right now?
If so, this is what you need to do:
I acknowledge I am a sinner in need of a Savior – this is to repent or turn away from sin
I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead – this is to trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for all my sins
I confess Jesus as my Lord and my God – this is to surrender control of my life to Jesus
I receive Jesus as my Savior forever – this is to accept that God has done for me and in life what He promised
If it is your sincere desire to receive Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, then talk to God from your heart.
Here’s a Suggested Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation and to prepare me to live in your presence forever. Jesus, come into my life, forgive my sins and save me and take control of my life. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life.”
If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please let us know.
We want to rejoice in what God has done in your life and help you with your next steps.