In the fifteen years since then, God has shown me that what I went through was my own personal version of His Master Plan of salvation. While the circumstances and details will be different for each one of us, what follows is my understanding of that plan. I believe these are the things you need to know in order to become a Christian.
1) God loves you
He made you and formed you in the womb. Do not fear. Isaiah 44:2
The very hairs of your head are numbered. Therefore, do not fear. Matthew 10:30-31
God is love. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1John 4:16;18
God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. Psalms 86:15
2) You are a sinner
All of us like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way. Isaiah 53:6
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. 1 John 2:15
Whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles on one point, he has become guilty of all. James 2:10
3) God hates sin
Everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 25:16
There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19
'Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these are what I hate,' declares the LORD. Zechariah 8:17
3) Sin separates you from God
Your iniquities have made a separation between you and God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:2
The boastful shall not stand before His eyes; He hates all who do iniquity. He destroys all who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. Psalms 5:5-6
If you cherish sin in your heart, the Lord will not hear. Psalms 66:18
What fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
4) Your way will fail
There is a way that seems right to you, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12
All your righteous deeds are like a filthy garment Isaiah 64:6
You cannot go to the Father except through Jesus. John 14:6
If you do not enter by the door [Jesus] into the fold of the sheep, but climb up some other way, you are a thief and a robber. John 10:1
By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. Galatians 2:16
Wretched man that I am!
Who will set me free
from the body of this death?
Romans 7:24
5) The Only Way
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:25
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring you to God. 1 Peter 3:18
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and you, the man Jesus Christ 1 Timothy 2:5
But God demonstrates His own love toward you, in that while you were yet a sinner, Christ died for you. Romans 5:8
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on your behalf, so that you might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
6) You Need to Decide
Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12
Unless you are born again you cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
Unless you repent, you will perish. Luke 13:3
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away Acts 3:19
7) If you say yes
Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise Ephesians 1:13
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. John 10:27-29
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name John 1:12
There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
8) If you say no
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:5-6
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27
9) What will you decide?
How will you escape if you neglect so great a salvation? Hebrews 2:3
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. Hebrews 4:7
10) How to receive new life
If you know that you are a sinner; if you believe that Jesus died for your sins; if you want to change your life, then pray. If you can't think of words to say, then with an honest heart, try something like this:
God, I admit to you that I am a sinner, and I need forgiveness. I do believe that Jesus died to pay the price for my sins, so I can be forgiven. I want to change. Cleanse me of my unrighteousness. Set me free from my sins, and show me how to live a new life for You. Jesus, I ask You to come into my heart, and be my Lord and Savior. Touch me in a way that is real to me. Amen.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Tell someone that you have a new life. Tell them what Jesus has done for you.
If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10
Get a Bible and read. Try the book of John.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105
Pray! Talk to God and listen for His voice.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27-28
Ask God to help you find other Christians.
Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25
If you decided to become a Christian today, I will rejoice with you if you leave a comment or send me an email. I will also do my best to answer any questions you may have.
[Note: This post is also available here as a printable flyer. Feel free to copy and distribute.]
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