How to become a Christian

 

How?

I wrote three articles on ‘What is a Christian?’

Now I write to answer ‘How does a person become a Christian?’

 

False ideas –  born a Christian – no, using a set religious formula – no,           a secret initiation ceremony – no,   a religious ceremony – no  following a set of rules – no      switching religious affiliation – no.

 

The Bible , and Jesus in particular used many metaphors along with direct invitations.

Matthew 11:28 is outstanding- He said:

“Come to Me, all of you who labour and carry heavy burdens. I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you, and let Me teach you, for I am humble and gentle and you will find rest for your souls.”

   This invitation still stands for real, as the living Lord Jesus still welcomes all who come to Him. Because of who He is, He can and will lift your burden. Coming to Him is to trust in Him (Saviour) and commitment to Him (yoke).

 

Many other Bible verses called people away from different circumstances to faith in Jesus Christ the Lord.

For example :

To the religious Jews He said “If you do not believe that I am He (the Son of God the Father), you will die in your sins. -John 8:23,24

This is the crucial change for Jews and Muslims.

 

To repentant sinners of His time, He likened Himself to a shepherd seeking lost sheep. His promise still stands : “I am the gate, if anyone enters through Me , they will be saved” John 10:9

 

In a present time of Christ deniers, the promise of John 1:12 is enough to bring a person from distance to inclusion in the family of God. “He came unto His own people, but He was not accepted.. But to all who believe in Him, He gives the right to become the children of God.”

 

Think for a moment of the Gentiles mentioned in Acts 10. They admired the law of Moses, but felt left out of the blessings of Temple ceremonies. Peter put it clearly:  “He (Jesus) is the one all the prophets testified about saying, that everyone who believes in Him (Jesus the Messiah) will have their sins forgiven(complete) through HIS Name.”  Acts 10:42

And they did believe and the Holy Spirit sealed their connection with God.

 

Peter, who was birthed into religious observations, learned that new life in the kingdom of God was not based on good works:

“God, who knows people’s heart, confirmed that He accepts Gentiles by giving them Holy Spirit, just as He gave the Holy Spirit to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for God cleansed their hearts through faith”  Act 15:11

 

    Salvation (saved) is a special word to those who feel the curse of sin. Sin binds like a chain, sin blinds, sin creates webs of irreparable relationships, sin takes people to hell. To be saved is the only true answer to this human condition. But the Word of God has many promises for being SAVED.:

        “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is LORD (the LORD who came down from heaven), and believe in your heart that God raised Him ( the Son who died as a sacrifice for sin), you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

 

 Many other Bible accounts show that conversion is the definite  change from many different situations to simple, sincere, solid  faith in Jesus Christ the Lord.

For me conversion was from trying my best to trusting in Him.  For Robert Spurling it was the change from mental blindness to seeing and trusting Jesus Christ the  Lord.(John 9). Conversion stories are  different, but the focal point is always the same – the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1 John 5:12   “ Whoever has God’s Son, has life (eternal), whoever does not have the Son does not have life.

 

There is no set formula to be saved, but I recommend taking time out to connect with God:

 

Stop rushing around and ponder your present reality before God – made for God, lost away from God, a sinner in nature and practice! (let the Bible convince you “all have sinned”)

 

Be still and consider what God has done to remedy this situation – unworthy as we are, because of His love, He sent His Son to be our Saviour by death and resurrection.

 

Speak out loud to the LORD your need of Him.

 

Speak out loud  from your heart your decision to receive Him for who He claims to be , and trust Him to save you from sin and its penalty in hell.

 

REST in HIM and commit to following Him.

 

Let the many promises  of God be your assurance  of acceptance with God now and forever. Not feelings or fantasy experiences.

 

“Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Acts 16.31

 

He said to those who loved HIM:

“I will come back and take you to be with Me, that you also may be where I am”    John 14:3

 

What a joyful day it will be when the family of God is gathered home, and the saved sheep gathered into the eternal fold. The amazing thing is that Jesus the conquering  King of Kings will forever be known  as “the Lamb” upon the eternal Throne .

 

Not by AI – bit obvious by my deficient grammar

johnmckee@internode.on.net