How to
Become a Christian
Did you know that the Bible tells how you can know for sure that
you have eternal life and will go to be with God in Heaven? The Bible says in 1
John 5:13, "These things I have written to you... that you may know that you
have eternal life." Here's how you can know for sure.
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Heaven (Eternal Life) is a free gift. The Bible says, "... the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) And because Heaven is a
gift, like any other genuine gift, it is not earned or deserved. Therefore, no
amount of personal effort, good works, or religious deeds can earn a place in
heaven for you.
The Bible also says, "By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not
of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."
Why is it that no one can earn his way to Heaven? Because...
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Man is a sinner. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God." (Romans 3:23) Sin is transgressing God's law and includes such things
as lying, lust, cheating, deceit, anger, evil thoughts, immoral behavior, and
more.
And because of this, man cannot save himself. If you wanted to save yourself by
good deeds, do you know how good you would have to be? The Bible says you would
have to be perfect. "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in
Heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) With such a high standard, no one can save
himself for God also says, "Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble
in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10) In spite of our sin,
however...
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God is merciful and therefore doesn't want to punish us. This is because...
"God is love..." (1 John 4:8), and He says, "I have loved you with an
everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31 :3b).
But the same Bible that tells us that God loves us all also tells us that God
is just, and therefore must punish sin. He says, "... I will by no means clear
the guilty..." (Exodus 34:7) and "The soul who sins shall die." (Ezekiel 18:4)
We have a problem; we have all sinned. The penalty for sin is death. We need
forgiveness so that we can have a right relationship with God.
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God solved this problem for us in the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells
us clearly that Jesus is the infinite God-Man. "In the beginning was the Word
(Jesus) ... and the Word (Jesus) was God... and the Word (Jesus) became flesh
and dwelt among us..." (John 1:1, 14).
Jesus Christ came to earth and lived a sinless life, but while on earth, he
died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins and rose from the grave to
purchase a place for us in Heaven. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him (Jesus) the
iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)
God hates our sin, but because of His love for us, He has placed them all on
His Son. Christ bore our sin in His body on the cross. Now Jesus Christ offers
you eternal life (Heaven) as a free gift.
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This free gift is received by faith. Faith is the key that opens the door to
heaven. Many people mistake two things for saving faith!
Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. It means resting
upon Christ alone and what He has done rather than what you have done to get in
to Heaven. "Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..."
(Acts 16:31).
You have just read the greatest story ever told about the greatest offer ever
made by the greatest person who ever lived - Jesus Christ. The question God is
asking you now is, "Would you like to receive a gift of eternal life?"
Because this is such an important matter, let's clarify just what this
involves. It means, first of all, that you transfer your trust from what you
have been doing to what Christ has done for you on the cross.
It means, next, that you receive the resurrected, living Christ into your life
as Savior. He says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock (at the door of your
life). If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him."
(Revelation 3:20)
It means further that your receive Jesus Christ into your life as Lord. He
comes as Master and King. There is a throne room in your heart, and that throne
is rightly His. He made you. He bought you, and He wants to take His rightful
place on the throne of your life.
It means, finally, that you repent of your sins. That means that you are
willing to turn from anything you have been doing that is not pleasing Him and
to follow Him as He reveals His will to you in His Word.
Now, if this is what you really want, you can go to God in prayer right were
you are. You can receive His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ right
now. "... with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth
confession is made to salvation ... for whosoever calls upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:10,13) If you want to receive the gift of
eternal life through Jesus Christ, then call on Him, asking Him for this gift
right now. Here's a suggested prayer:
"Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But,
I believe You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in Heaven for
me. Lord Jesus, come into my life; take control of my life; forgive my sins and
save me. I repent of my sins and now place my trust in You for my salvation. I
accept the free gift of eternal life."
If this prayer is the sincere desire of your heart, look at what Jesus promises
to those who believe in Him. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in
Me has everlasting life." (John 6:47) Welcome to God's family! If you have
truly repented (forsaken, turned away) from your sins, placed your trust in
Jesus Christ's sacrificial death, and received the gift of eternal life, you
are now a child of God! Forever!
Welcome to the Family of God! "But as many as received Him, to them He gives
the right to become children of God to those who believe in His name." (John
1:12)
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Christian life, just contact us by phone or email!
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Contact Us at OBC@OaklandBaptist.org
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