Nothing would please God more than to know that you are responding to His call! That was the whole mission of Jesus Christ on Earth… to share this good news: if you confess, accept Jesus as the vessel through which your sins (or wrongdoings) are forgiven and believe that Christ is your rescuer (or Savior), you can experience the glory God intended for your life!
The first step is to recognize that both goodness and evil are inherent in every human being. Goodness is easy to recognize. Goodness comes from God - from all that is right and pleasing and wonderful. Evil (or sin) is the opposite of goodness. It is the essence of all that is terrible or all that detracts from goodness.
We need only look in our own hearts to understand that sin exists. Regardless of how good we try to be, we cannot ever be good enough to be perfect. Because of the very nature of God, we cannot be with Him unless we are made “clean.” God’s goodness is separate from sin. The two cannot dwell together. But we, humans, cannot separate sin from our being!
Once you recognize the sin in your own life (selfishness, pride, indulgence, self-derived power, etc.), you are asked to confess it. Perhaps the sin in your life doesn’t look “that bad.” Remember, though, that all sin separates us from God, regardless of its degree! In God’s eyes, selfishness is just as bad as pride, which is just as bad as greed, which is just as bad as gossip or even murder. All of us fall short.
Someone once said that there is something “unreasonable” about God’s love for us. “Unreasonable” because when faced with who God is, as compared to who we are, we just can’t imagine that He could actually love us. But God’s being is the essence of His love for His creation. That’s you!
Because of His passion to restore a relationship with you, God sent Jesus to Earth so that all of your sins – even those you have yet to commit – can be made right and washed away. Through Jesus’ death, the price for your mistakes has been paid. You no longer need worry that your actions will deny you access to God. No matter the sin, if you confess it, God will hear your prayers… he will know the condition of your heart… and he will extend forgiveness to you, even though you do not deserve it. This is called mercy or grace. And it is available to you, because of the death on the cross of Jesus Christ!
Confessing your sin is usually done through prayer in which you ask Jesus to intercede on your behalf. You must speak the truth of your own sinfulness. Then, and only then, are you able to ask for forgiveness.
Finally, you must invite God to dwell within your heart. God does not force himself on you. He does not demand your heart. He waits, knocking at the door if you will, to be invited in.
These are the first steps in becoming a Christian.
Recognize that there is sin in your life, of which you alone cannot be absolved.
Confess this sin, through prayer, to Jesus that he might “speak” on your behalf to God, his father.
Pray a prayer of invitation* so that God can be welcomed into your spirit, soul or heart and dwell there forever.
Become involved with a community of believers! If you think of your new relationship with God as a living plant, your roots will grow deeper when you surround yourself with the nutrients necessary for growth! A community of believers can help you develop into a strong, healthy, blossoming Christian.
It is important to remember that becoming a Christian does not mean that your life will be easy. Nor does it mean that you will not experience struggle, pain, or suffering. Life hands us those experiences and we must all deal with them.
Becoming a Christian does mean that you will not be alone in your struggle. It means that God dwells within your heart, that He has made promises to you (which you can discover through reading and studying God’s word in the Bible) that He will not break. It means that you are welcomed into a family of believers who will stand beside you as you travel through life. It means you are forgiven – for every sin that you confess – and that you can begin to experience the freedom that comes with an assurance that your old life has gone and that within you, a new life has begun!
We rejoice in the fact that you are interested – or perhaps just curious – about beginning a relationship with Jesus Christ. And we are so excited to talk to you and to meet you! If you have prayed a prayer of invitation* or if you have more questions, please click
here for a link to one of our pastors who is eagerly waiting to hear from you. Or click here for information on First Presbyterian Church’s location, hours of worship and programs where you can begin to explore your new life more fully!
Welcome!
*Here is a sample prayer of invitation that you might use.
“Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. Lord, I am sorry for my sins and want to turn away from them. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and that You rose again to live in me. Lord, I ask you to come into my heart and life, guide me, protect me. I place my life in Your hands. Thank You Lord that I am Your child and You are my Father. Thank You Lord that You have forgiven me and cleansed me of my sins. Amen"
