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There is no greater question than this. In its
answer you will find the purpose for your excistence and the way of true happiness, in this life and 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
to become a Christian:
1. 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 to do this. 2. Realize
your total inability to love and adore God as you ought. Sin has devastated all of us to such an extent 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! 3. Agree that the only thing you deserve is God's righteous
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). 4. 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). 5. 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 (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus died on the cross as our substitute
and bore our sins to save us from its horrific consequences. Salvation is a free gift of God to all who trust in Jesus 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).
If you have done these five things, based upon
the authority of God's Word, you are a Christian; you are saved. 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 biblebaptistchurch@biblebaptistov.org or telephone us at 805-649-1385.
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. You can read the Gospel According to John online at BibleGateway.com. Click below to
start reading..
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