What does it mean to
be a Christ follower (Christian)?
BECOMING A CHRIST FOLLOWER
You probably have an opinion about Jesus. Maybe you think He’s a great teacher or a prophet or a really nice guy. Whatever you believe, we can probably agree that Jesus changed things.
We believe He wants to change you too, and that he’s paved the way back to God for you.
Jesus himself said:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well…”
JOHN 14:6-7
Trusting Jesus as the way to God is inclusive for everybody. No matter who you are, what you’ve done, no matter where you were born or the color of your skin, Jesus is the way for you to have a relationship with God. Everybody’s invited. Everybody’s included. Everybody’s important.
If you think you’re an exception to the rule, you’re wrong. Jesus loves you. Yes...you.
SO HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY BECOME A CHRISTIAN?
You just have to take a few simple steps.
Look at what the scriptures say:
First, admit you're a sinner:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
ROMANS 3:23
Sin can be defined as breaking God’s law. Whenever we build our life on something other than God, we sin.
Second, realize Jesus died for you.
“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” ROMANS 5:8
Jesus died for your sin. He paid the penalty that our sin demanded.
Third, turn from your sin and trust Jesus to be your Savior
“If you declare 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
That’s it.
Turn from your sin. Confess with your mouth. Believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord...that God raised him from the dead, and your sins are forgiven and your relationship with God has begun.
BUT YOU'RE PROBABLY THINKING, "DON'T I HAVE TO BE A BETTER PERSON?”
No, you don’t. You don’t change in order to gain God’s love, you change because you’ve experienced his love.
When you trust Jesus as your Saviour, you walk into the fullness of God’s love. Gradually, over time, God’s love changes you as you follow Jesus. You change because you’re loved, not in order to be loved. You change because you are saved by his grace and not because of your good works.
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift - not from works, so that no one can boast.”
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
Through His death on the cross, and then coming back from the dead, Jesus took all of your wrong and gave you all of His right.
If you believe that and commit to following Him, your life will never be the same. It’s as simple as repenting of your sin, declaring you want to follow Jesus, and believing He is who He says He is.
Believing in Jesus is the first step on the greatest journey of your life. You haven’t finished the race—you’ve just gotten started.
Want to see this visually illustrated? Check out this video
Want to learn a little more? Does it seem just “too simple”? Check out the link below to a mini-book that will help you understand a little more about what it means to be a Christ follower.
DONE: WHAT MOST RELIGIONS DON'T TELL YOU ABOUT THE BIBLE (AMAZON)
DONE: WHAT MOST RELIGIONS DON'T TELL YOU ABOUT THE BIBLE (PDF DOWNLOAD)