How to accept Jesus as your Saviour
<< ForgivenessHow to live as a follower of Jesus >>A Big Descision
Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour is not difficult to do. All it takes is a few words which you mean right from your heart. When you accept Jesus' death on the cross as payment for your sins, sin no longer separates you from God (learn more about how Jesus has defeated sin). Although none of us deserve God's generous gift of never ending life, and his limitless love, still he chooses to give it to us anyway. But it is not just a once-off free ticket to heaven... it is a lifelong committment. Our mission as new Christians (followers of Christ) is to try and tell more people about the fantastic news of how to get right with God.
Before you make a descision for Jesus, you should be aware that it is not an easy life being a follower of Jesus. Many people will ridicule you for your faith in God, and the Devil will be out there to try and stop you following God. God will not just make everything in your life run exactly as you want it to ... he might want you to give up some bad habits you have, and he will be training you to become more like the character of Jesus. God knows the best way for that to happen - but quite often God's way is different to our way. So becoming a Christian will mean you have to be willing to do things God's way even when God's way conflicts with your way of doing things.
But despite the difficulties that life presents, Christians are able to work through all these obstacles - because God is always there to guide us and help us when we need him. Think about it carefully, and if you are prepared to face the challenge of life as a follower of Jesus, then continue reading.
Accepting Jesus
If you'd like to accept Jesus as your Saviour, and start a personal relationship with God today, then all you have to do is admit to God that you have rebelled against him in the past, and tell him about your descision to follow him. The actual words you say don't really matter, because God knows what is in your heart. But if you are stuck for words, you could say something like this:
Lord Jesus, I realise that I have rebelled against you and I'm not worthy to get into heaven on my own merit. I believe you died for me and that your death paid for my sins and restores my relationship with God. I acknowledge you as my Lord, Saviour, and Friend. Thankyou for your gift of eternal life, which I accept by faith. I pray this through Jesus. Amen.
If you sincerely meant that prayer, then you are now forgiven by God! The Bible says that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness (or evil)". (1 John 1:9).
New Life With Jesus
The awesome thing about Christianity is that it doesn't stop there. We dont just do a quick deal with God to get into heaven and the just forget about it. When we accept Jesus our Lord and Saviour, God gives us the right to be sons and daughters of God. At first that sounds completely absurd, but it is absolutely true. God chooses to adopt us as his children, and reserves a place for us in heaven! You are now part of God's family - congratulations!
God is now our spiritual 'Father'. This means that we can relate to God like a father (although he is a much more loving father than any father can be here on earth), and God treats us like his very own children, by loving and protecting us. It also means that God helps us grow to into more perfect children - more loving and faithful and trusting. He is always there to guide us and help us when we need him. The Bible tells us "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your new life as a Christian will never be easy, but neither will you ever be alone - God will always be with you. God will be constantly changing and transforming your character and your life!
The best advice we have is that you ask a Christian friend or pastor about how to live as a Christian. Look around for a church that honours Jesus, and which you feel comfortable in. Other Christians are now your 'brothers' and 'sisters' through what Jesus has done, they are your family, so you should meet up regularly with Christians and encourage each other in your faith.
Get involved in a Bible study group - it is very important to read and know the Bible, because it contains God's instructions to us about how to follow Jesus. See what the Bible is and how you should read it. Some good books of the Bible to begin reading would be Matthew, John, and Romans.
You can also talk to God anytime, just like a father (We call this 'prayer', but it is just like talking to another person. We usually close our eyes to avoid being distracted, and bow our heads as a sign of respect for God. But God doesn't mind how you pray or what words you say, he cares about the state of your heart!).
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