How can I have a fresh start with God? How can I become a Christian?
Last modified: 16 Sep 2009
A fresh start with God
Where do we begin?
Jesus tells us that we begin with God’s love for us …
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
… and that he is the only way we can find God.
Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
It’s not a leap into the dark …
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Everyone needs to turn to God for forgiveness …
“Everyone has sinned and is far away from God’s saving presence.” Romans 3:23
… to receive God’s gift of eternal life.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus was punished in our place when he died on the cross. He removed the barrier of sin forever, making it possible for us to come to God.
But we need to make a response …
The gift God offers us is a relationship with him, forgiveness, a new beginning, his Spirit to guide us each day, and a life for ever with him. God wants us to discover this good news for ourselves.
o We need to admit we’ve been self-centred and done wrong (sinned) and ask God to help us turn from this.
o We need to believe – which means more than just accepting the facts about Jesus. It means relying on him alone for eternal life.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31
o We need to change from putting ourselves first to putting God first and commit our lives to following Jesus.
Read the following prayer carefully and see if this expresses what you want to say to God.
Lord Jesus, I need you.
I admit that I have sinned against you, in my thoughts and in my actions, and cannot save myself.
I am truly sorry for my sins.
With your help, I am willing to turn from everything I know to be wrong and follow you, putting you first.
I believe that you died on the cross taking my punishment.
Thank you for dying for me.
I accept your free gift of eternal life.
Right here and now I invite you to come into my life, please forgive all my sin and be my Saviour, Lord and Friend.
Thank you dear Lord, for answering my prayer and coming into my life. Thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit.
Make me the kind of person you want me to be, and help me to follow you.
Amen
We can be certain of Jesus’ promise …
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24
… and that whatever we feel, and whatever comes our way, Jesus will never leave us.
Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Please
contact us to tell us your story of how you came to be searching for God, and what he’s now done in your life.
