How to become a Christian
The Bible records Jesus as saying,
"God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV)
. . . but what does that mean?
We receive eternal life as a free gift from a loving God.
"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
If you have a Bible, you can look up these verses for yourself. Sometimes it helps to read them in context, that is, in and among their surrounding text. We don't have to wait until we die to enjoy eternal life, though.
- We can live a full and meaningful life right now. Jesus said:
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
(John 10:10) - When we do finally die, we have a place waiting for us. Jesus said:
"I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
(John 14:2-3)
The prospect of eternal life gives meaning to this temporary life.
. . . yet, our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling God's purpose for our life.
Our Need is to understand our problem... "I gots bad news and I gots good news . . ."
Let's look at this concept of Sin a little more closely.
The BAD news:
1) We are all sinners by nature and by choice.
"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
2) We cannot save ourselves.
". . . not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:9)
3) We deserve death and hell.
"The wages of sin is death . . ." (Romans 6:23)
The GOOD news:
God is holy and just and must punish sin, yet he loves us and provided forgiveness for our sin.
Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."(John 14:10)
God provided a way for us to escape the penalty of our sin. His provision was Jesus Christ.
©Copyright 1997Used by permission.