BECOMING A CHRISTIAN

 

The future lies before each one of us – not just a future on this earth but also in eternity. Did you know that you will exist beyond death? We need to consider these things carefully.  

 

The Lord Jesus Christ is calling you to follow Him.

This is the simplest and yet the most significant step that anyone can take, for it will completely change the direction of a person’s life. Christ never encourages anybody to make an unthinking response. Rather, He instructs us to sit down first and count the cost (1) because following Him every day will not be easy. However, it will be worthwhile. Listen to His own words: –

 

“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.” (2)

 

It will not be the beginning of an easy, comfortable life. To give up living for yourself is a costly thing. Nevertheless it is a vitally worthwhile step – for there is no other way to find eternal life.

 

 

There are four facts found in the Bible that we need to understand well. They relate to each individual person. Consider the following:-  

 

Sin:- “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (3) Sin has ruined the life of each individual in the sight of God, including yours. We have a sinful nature within that manifests itself in ways that are displeasing to a holy God. None of us has achieved the standard God has set – for He demands perfection.

 

Judgment:- “The wages of sin is death.” (4) Because God is holy and righteous, He must punish sinners. We deserve to die because of our sins – and death means being separated from God for ever.

 

God is love:- “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” (5) God has no delight in punishing sinners – though His holiness demands it. How could such an apparent conflict be resolved? The Son of God took on human form and willingly came into this world to make possible a way back to God.

 

Jesus took our place:- “Christ died for our sins…. He was buried…. He rose again.” (6) The perfect life of Jesus could not save us. He had to die in the place of sinners. The punishment that we deserved – separation from God – was heaped upon Him when He hung upon the cross and died. The wages of sin is death – and Jesus died for us.

 

 

Salvation is available for all, but not everybody is saved automatically. A personal response is needed. The Lord Jesus Christ is calling all who will hear Him:- “Follow Me”. (7)  Is He is calling you from your sin? Will you respond to His call? 

 

A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. Very simply, this means that we have to own His lordship and go where He leads. He does the leading: we must do the following. Jesus Christ must be Lord in your life. Control must be handed over entirely to Him. If you are not prepared to hand over your life to Him, you cannot become a Christian.

 

The consequences are plain: follow Him and He will take you to heaven one day, or refuse Him and face the judgment of God yourself. There is a price to pay for sin. We can humbly admit our guiltiness before God and accept what Jesus has done, or we can be independent and refuse Him and ultimately pay the price of our own sin when we stand before God’s Judgment Throne. A very big decision faces each individual – and it faces you today as you read this message.

 

Will you accept the challenge and follow the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you prepared to make Him Lord of your life? If you are, this is how you can take the step.

 

• 1. Repent. God “now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” (8) You must face up to your sin, recognize that you are “guilty” before God, turn away from your sin, and tell God from your heart that you are truly sorry.

 

• 2. Believe – that Jesus died for you. Ask Him to be your Saviour. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (9) is the simple message of the Gospel.  Accept what Jesus has done, and believe that He died on the cross for you – bearing your punishment.

 

• 3. Confess – that Jesus Christ is your Lord. (10) Don’t be a secret disciple! The Bible teaches that those who are true followers of Christ must let the fact be known.

 

If you have taken that step, we would love to know. Contact us at info@skywaymessages.co.uk and tell us.

 

Click on to the other sections of this website to find out more about the Christian life. Our magazine SKYWORD is designed to provide help for those who have come to trust the Lord Jesus Christ.    

 

END NOTES:- (1)Luke 14:28; (2)Luke 9:23-24; (3)Romans 3:23; (4)Romans 6:23; (5)John 3:16; (6)1 Corinthians 15:3-4; (7)Luke 9:59; (8)Acts 17:30; (9)Acts 16:31; (10)Romans 10:9.