How to begin your new life in Christ
Did you know that the Bible tells us that we can know “for certain” (1 John 5:13) that you have eternal life? It is not a question of how good you are, whether you go to church, or how much money you give to charity. God says, in order to begin your new life in Christ, you must be born again (John 3:3).
Born again? That’s how Jesus described beginning our new life in Christ. It’s like being born again. All of us had a physical birth, and to begin your new life in Christ you must be born again spiritually.
How does that happen? First, you need to understand that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). Because we are sinners, we are separated from God. Separation from God is death. ”For the wages of sin is death.” (Roman’s 6:23) But God loved each of us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus, to bear our sin and die in our place. ”God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus became our substitute.
In the Bible, a jailer asked his prisoners, Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:30-31). It’s very clear in the Bible, trust in Jesus as the one who saves you (and not your own efforts or good deeds), and you will be saved. Just like that jailor in Acts 16. Is this offer good for everyone or just some? The Bible is clear, all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ”For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) So then, if you confess that you are a sinner, and you believe Jesus Christ came as the one and only Redeemer of sin, and call upon Him alone as He is offered in the gospels, then you understand the plan of salvation. The question is, are you ready to execute the plan, be receiving God’s gift of His Son, Jesus Christ? If so, believe in Christ, repent of your sins, and commit the rest of your life to Him as Lord.
How do you do that? Tell God, it’s called prayer. Right where you are you can bow your head and close your eyes and talk to God. Say something like:
“Father, I know that I have sinned and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Is that it? Yes, that’s it. And now you can begin your forever relationship with the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit’s empowering.
So now what? Well, if you don’t already have a church home, you should call the pastor of the closest PCA church near you. Tell him what God has done in your heart and ask to meet with him. He’ll no doubt introduce you into your new faith. God bless you!