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There is no greater question than this. In its answer you will find the purpose for your existence and the way of true happiness, in this life and in the life to come. One is not born a Christian; one is not a Christian because they have done enough good things to earn it. There is only one way you become a Christian:
- Acknowledge God's Supremacy. As our Creator, God alone is supremely worthy and deserving of our loving devotion and whole-hearted adoration. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). But tragically, all of us have failed in this area.
- Realize your total inability to love and adore God as you ought. Sin has devastated all of us to such an extant that the Bible says we are "dead in our trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). What we need is not rehabilitation, nor resuscitation, but resurrection! We need life!
- Agree that the only thing you deserve is God's judgment. The penalty God requires for our sin is death, the ultimate death being eternal separation from God and eternal suffering in hell (Matthew 25:41). "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
- Repent of your sin. The Bible is clear in that "there is none righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10) and that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Turn from your sin and turn to God who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness. "God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent (Acts 17:30).
- Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of His great mercy, God the Father sent His one and only Son, who Himself is God, into the world to save sinners. "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Jesus Christ has come into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus died in our place and bore our sin upon the cross to save us from sin and from its horrific consequences. Salvation is a free gift of God to all who trust in Christ as their Lord and Savior. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Having raised Jesus from the dead, God is now commanding all people to believe in His Son. "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31).*
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If you have done these five things, based upon the authority of God's Word, you are a Christian; you are saved; you have eternal and abundant life! But this is just the beginning. In order to grow in your Christian life, you need to be part of a local church. If you have just become a Christian, please let us know. Our heart's desire is to be used of God to help you grow in your newfound life in Christ. Contact the church at cbcspringfield@sbcglobal.net or telephone us at (937) 399-4024 and ask to speak to one of our pastors.
There is an entire book of the New Testament devoted to the issue of how to become a Christian. It is the Gospel According to John. John himself said "these things I have written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).
You can read the Gospel According to John online at Bible Gateway.com. Click Here to start reading!
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