1. Acknowledge Your Sin.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23.
First, see yourself for what you are...a sinner. Sin is tragic, vile...it blights, degrades, destroys. It has dire consequences: The soul who sins is the one who will die.For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. Repent Of Your Sin.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out...Acts 3:19.
You must also repent. Repentance is not making a resolution to do better. It is not just conviction of sin, for a person may be convinced that he is wrong and still not repent.
As the Bible says, Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord...for He will abundantly pardon. You must change your mind about sin and want God to end its mastery over you. After all, sin is so bad it took Christ's death to make forgiveness possible for you.
3. Believe In Jesus Christ
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Believe in the completed work Christ accomplished on the cross. You must believe that Christ substituted Himself for you, that He died for your sins (though HE never sinned), and that He was resurrected from death. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. Our sins nailed Him to the cross, and by His wounds we are healed. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.
4. Make Your Decision
That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9.
You must believe in Christ and receive Him personally into your life by faith if you are to be saved from the power of sin and its consequences. To all who receive Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.
Will you pray to God something like this?
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen
If you prayed this prayer, the Bible says.... Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
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 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.
May the peace of the Lord be always with you. Your friend in Jesus the Christ, Jim.