How to become a Christian

Steps to Peace with God...*

God's Purpose: Peace and Life

God wants you to experience peace and life -- abundant and eternal.

The Bible says...
"...we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [Romans 5:1]

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16]

"...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." [John 10:10]

Since God planned for us to have peace and the abundant life right now, why are most people not having this experience?

Our Problem: Separation

God created us to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him, but gave us a will and a freedom of choice.

We chose to disobey God and go our own sinful way. We still make this choice today. The result is separation from God.

The Bible says...

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," [Romans 3:23]

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Romans 6:23]

Our choice results in separation from God. (People are sinful; God is holy)

Our Attempts...

Through the ages, individuals have tried in many ways to bridge this gap... without success...

The Bible says...

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." [Proverbs 14:12]

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." [Isaiah 59:2]

There is only one remedy for this problem of separation.

Good works, religion, philosophy, and morality cannot bridge the gap between man's sinfulness and God's holiness.

God's remedy is the cross!

Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin and bridging the gap between God and people.

The Bible says...

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," [1 Timothy 2:5]

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God...." [1 Peter 3:18]

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." [Romans 5:8]

God has provided the only way... We must make the choice... to allow Christ to bridge the gap between our sin and God's holiness.

Our response: Receive Christ

We must trust Jesus Christ and receive Him by personal invitation.

The Bible says...

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." [Revelation 3:20]

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" [John 1:12]

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." [Romans 10:9]

Which side of the gap are you on? On the side of sin and rebellion or on God's side -- having peace, forgiveness, and eternal life?

Is there any good reason why you cannot receive Christ right now?

How to receive Christ:

1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).

2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).

3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.

4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

What to Pray:

Heavenly Father,
I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that Christ died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow Him as Lord and Savior.
In Jesus name. Amen

The Bible says...

"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." [1 John 5:12-13]

Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer... this is called regeneration or the "new birth."

What to do now...

This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should:

1. Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better.

2. Talk to God in prayer every day .

3. Tell others about Christ.

4. Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.

5. As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others. God bless you as you do.

*From Billy Graham's Crusade literature.

For free literature on how to study the Bible for yourself and grow in Christ contact us at Milford Congregational Church. We may be reached by phone or you may email us by clicking below. We would love to hear from you.