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GRACE LEAFLETS No. 1
To become a Christian is not simply to have a change of mind or even religion. It is to know Jesus personally and to be brought into God's family. It is like passing from darkness to light according to the Bible. This leaflet tries to look at the processes involved in that amazing change.
Why become a Christian ?
Reason 1
We were made to worship and serve God. Therefore
when we live without God we are failing to live out the purpose
for which we were made - or as the Bible puts it, we have
fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3: 23). Without God there
is always something missing. Human beings are different from
other animals. We have a part of us (we normally call it "soul"
or "spirit") which is never satisfied without God.
A philosopher once said, "There is a God shaped hole
in every man." We will be dissatisfied and spiritually
hungry until we come into a relationship with God.
Reason 2
It is our own fault we are separated from God.
All human life is affected by sin, which is rebellion and
disobedience towards God, as well as something that often
damages our human relationships. Sin has separated us from
God, and means that He must judge us. You could read about
this in the Bible in Ephesians chapter 2, verses 1 to 3.
Reason 3
Becoming a Christian is not mainly about what
we need. It is really about God, not us. His Son, Jesus, came
to earth to restore the relationship with God that had been
broken by our sin. He lived a human life and faced all the
problems we face. He also healed the sick, raised the dead,
cast out evil spirits and brought wise teachings to the people.
Despite all this, men took Him and put Him to death on a cross.
It was in His death that Jesus bore all the guilt and judgement
of our sin. Amazingly, little more than 36 hours later, His
followers found His grave empty and Jesus alive again. God
had raised Him from the dead in order to show that Jesus is
Lord of everything and everyone, and now requires our obedience,
worship and faith.
How
do I become a Christian?
The first thing to understand is that it is
not really a question of what I do. I can do nothing to win
God's friendship or forgiveness. That is why Ephesians chapter
2 verse 8 says our "works" cannot save us. It has
nothing to do with our determination or our birth. It is entirely
about what God does; we call that grace.
Step 1
I agree with God that Jesus is Lord of all.
This means I willingly allow Him to take full responsibility
for my life, and will let Him direct my life from now on.
If I say Jesus is Lord, I am saying He is my God and I will
worship Him and live for Him. The Bible's words for this are
repentance and faith.
You could now pray, "God, you raised Jesus from the dead.
I recognise Him as my Lord and give you my life to live your
way and to serve you from now on. I choose not to go my own
way and I trust you alone."
Step 2
God takes all the other steps! He forgives our
sins and completely forgets every one of them. The Bible says
it is like God drowning them in the depths of the sea. God
sets us free from the control sin has had over us, so that
we can live changed lives from now on. He brings us into His
family, and instead of our being separated and distant from
God, He calls us His children and Himself our Father (you
could look in the Bible at Romans chapter 8 verses 14 to 16).
All this is possible because of Jesus. He died on the cross
to take the guilt and punishment due to our sins. It is His
death that makes the way for us to come to God. There is no
other way (1 Peter 2: 24; Acts 4: 12). We can now pray, "Father
God, thank you for the change you have made in my life. Thank
you for forgiving my sin and for giving me a place in your
family. Above all thank you for your love in allowing your
Son, Jesus, to die for my sins and open up the way for me
to come to you."
Now What
Happens?
You have just begun a new life with God in charge.
He does not leave you to do it on your own, but promises to
be with you. You have a guarantee of a new life that no one
can ever take from you, and which makes it certain that whatever
happens you will be with Him in heaven.
This does not depend on you, but on God. To get you going
on your new life God has given some essential steps.
| Be baptised.
It seems strange that we should submit to being
dipped in water, but this is what Jesus requires of us, and
when we are baptised God breaks the power of our sin over
us and of many things that have hurt us and lead us into wrong.
In being baptised we are letting God do something in us that
leaves us dead to our old life and alive to a new life (Romans
6: 3, 4). It is as though we leave many things that do not
please God in the water. Once you have become a Christian
you should arrange to be baptised as soon as possible. |
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Be
filled with the Holy Spirit.
You may only realise it in looking back, but
the Holy Spirit, Who is also God, was working in your life
before you became a Christian
Without Him it could not have happened at all. Now the Holy
Spirit wants to fill your life with His power to enable you
to be a witness for Jesus. He wants us to tell other people
about what He has done for us and to do the things Jesus did
on earth. To live a life like that we need to be filled with
the Holy Spirit. He will make us increasingly like Jesus,
and even release supernatural gifts, like speaking in new
languages, in our lives. You could read a little more in the
Bible in Luke 11:13; John 7:37 - 39; Acts 1: 8; Acts1: 38,
39).
Jesus said that our Father, God, gives the Holy Spirit to
those who ask Him. You may find it helpful to ask another
Christian, who is filled with the Spirit, to pray for you
and, in a way the Bible describes, to lay hands on you as
they pray as a sign of God's gift being passed on to you.
Become
part of a Church.
God never intended us to be just individuals
trying to live as Christians on our own. God's people on earth
are gathered into a body we call the Church. It is expressed
in local communities of Christians we still call Churches.
God wants to join us to such a local Church (Acts 2: 41 -
47). You will need a Church where people know Jesus personally,
believe the Bible, and love and care for one another. Your
Church will become a very important group of people to you
and you will begin to get to know God better . Just as important
you will be able to express your love for God by serving Him
in the context of your church.
Getting to know God better is vital as you begin your new
life. You will have special times of meeting Him for yourself
as you pray and read the Bible.
DerekReynolds © Grace Church2002
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