How To Become a Follower of Jesus

Let's start with God's original purpose for you. God created you because he loves you and wants you to experience peace and eternal life in a relationship with him as your loving Father. That has always been his plan for you.

"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1

God created to us with the free will to be able to choose to love him because we want to not because we are forced to.

The problem is that we have all chosen to use our free will to go our own way. This is called sin and the Bible tells us that sin separates us from God.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Our choices have separated us from God and now there is a great gap between us and him. Many have tried to build a bridge back to God with their own efforts but have failed.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." Proverbs 14:12

There is only one bridge that leads back to God.

Because of his great love for us, God sent his own son Jesus Christ to die on a cross and bridge the gap between us and him. Jesus is the bridge back to God.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" - John 14:6-7

"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God has provided THE ONLY way. Now each of us has a choice to make.

You follow Jesus Christ by receiving him into your heart as your Lord and Savior.

"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9

Here is how you receive Christ:

• Admit your need. (I am a sinner and I have gone my own way like everyone else.)

• Turn away from your sins(repent) and ask for God's forgiveness.

• Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.

• Invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

  You can do this anywhere and at any time, on your own or with somebody.

  We suggest closing your eyes and praying a prayer like this:

  "Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn away from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him from the grave. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus' Name, amen."

  If you have prayed this prayer and have believed it in your heart, congratulations! You are now a Follower of Jesus Christ otherwise known as a Christian.

1. Find a group of Christians to share your life with and receive support because you are part of a family now called the church. If you can't find any anywhere let us know and we will try and connect you with a group in your area. (Hebrews 10:25)

2. Read and study the Bible daily so that you can grow in your faith and your relationship with God. Start by reading and meditating on the book of John. (Hebrews 4:12)

3. Spend time in prayer and worship so you can be refreshed and get to know God personally. It's not a religion, it's a relationship. (John 7:38)

4. Tell others about Jesus and what he has done for you and what he will do for them if they accept his offer of eternal life and forgiveness of sin. (Matthew 28:19-20) (Mark 16:15)