|
|
Valley Ministries Charitable Trust
God's love in a hurting world
"HELPING THROUGH THE VALLEYS OF LIFE"
How to become a Christian
Whether you become a Christian or not is the most important decision you ever make. Don't make it lightly! The consequences of your decision will affect your quality of life, your influence on those around you, your contribution to society, the legacy you leave behind, but most important of all; your eternal destiny!
With so much at stake, don't you think you should at least give it some serious due diligence to borrow a popular phrase of the day? The facts are simple. The facts are true. Take a look at them and read the supporting Scriptures in the Bible, you will find that a truly amazing love story will unfold before you. Can I suggest you pray this simple prayer before you begin:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Please open my heart and understanding to see your love as I read your truth. Thank you.
Amen.
The simple truthful facts:
1. God created mankind for personal relationship with Himself. Colossians 1 Vs 16 - 17, Ephesians 1 Vs 4
2. Sin entered the world and caused a separation between God and man. Isaiah 59 Vs 2, Romans 3 Vs 23
3. The consequence of sin is death. Romans 6 Vs 23
4. God does not want this separation to exist. John 1 Vs 29, 2 Peter 3 Vs 9
5. Man cannot restore the relationship with God by any means or effort on his part. Galatians 2 Vs 16, Ephesians 2 Vs 8 - 10.
6. Since death was the consequence of sin, God sent His son Jesus to die in our place. John 3 Vs 16. Romans 5 Vs 8, 1 Corinthians 15 Vs 3
7. God the Father accepted the sacrifice of the death of His only Son Jesus. Philippians 2 Vs 9 - 11.
8. He raised Jesus from the dead. Matthew 20 Vs 18 -19, John 20 Vs19 -20.
9. He seated Him at His right hand in heaven. Mark 16 Vs 19
10. He asks for a response to His show of love and obvious desire for a relationship. John 1 Vs 12
11. He sends His Holy Spirit to dwell within those who respond and enables that relationship to take place. John 14 Vs 16 - 17.
12. He will judge all men according to their response to the death of Jesus. Romans 10 Vs 9, John 5 Vs 24
I encourage you to read the Scripture references and do whatever research you need to come to a place of decision. It must be a decision of your own volition and one that you are willing to take to the grave even if you're wrong!
If you decided you want to respond to God's love and become a Christian, you need to understand what that means. An intellectual understanding is not enough, you must receive Christ into your life. A Christian is a person who has been "born again" as a child of God through the praying in faith of a simple prayer. He has repented of sin, by turning from it and chooses a life of relationship with God and obedience to Him. The exact words of the prayer are not nearly as important as the sincerity of your heart, but you can use the following if you are genuinely repentant and want God to give you a new life:
Dear Lord Jesus,
I confess that I have sinned against you and repent now before you. I thank you that you died on the cross in my place so I may have forgiveness and a relationship with God. I ask you to come into my heart and life and take complete control. Cause me to be born again by your Spirit and enabled to live a life that pleases you.
If you prayed that prayer you are now a Christian! Welcome to the family of God. As a newly "born again" child of God, you have certain needs! You need all that which will cause you to grow in your faith and overcome any battles ahead. The best way to do this is to go along to a church where they have sound Bible based teaching and believe in the work and life of the Holy Spirit. A good measure would be to use our
"Articles of faith" as guide to knowing that you're in a place that will truly have your growth and development as a child of God at heart. If they dispute any of these points then continue to look until you are in a safe place. When you find one then tell them you are a new Christian and want to be "discipled". This simply means that you are asking them to help you grow by teaching you the ways of God.Finally, please drop us a line at vmct@clear.net.nz and tell us that you have become a Christian. We will continue to pray for you, asking God to help you grow in your relationship with Him and we will put you on our mailing list.
Home - About us - Our core values
Writer's corner - Counsellor's corner - Student's corner - Personal corner
Let's testify - Links - Your support - Contact us - What's new?