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TO BE A CHRISTIAN
To be a Christian, first of all, one must realize is not a
matter of religion. It is a matter of relationship. What's the
difference? Religion is a system of beliefs and actions that one
subscribes to in order to express a devotion to whatever they
place highest value to; to that deity, or non-deity, to which
everything else is subordinate. Relationship has nothing to do
with outward expression, but everything to do with inward
condition of the heart. ("Man looks upon the outward things but
God looks upon the heart." -1 Sam. 16:7) Therefore, to be a
Christian is a matter of the heart.
In our hearts we must choose to believe that:
Romans 3:23: "There is no difference for all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin are death,
(eternal separation from God where "the fire is not quenched and
the worm does not die.." -Matt. 9:48, where there is "weeping and
gnashing of teeth" -Matt. 8:12),
Romans 6:23b: "...but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Ephesian 2:8,9: For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the
gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
John 1:12,13: Yet to all who received him, to
those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of
human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Romans 10:9,10: 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. For it is with your heart
that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth
that you confess and are saved.
Now a new commandment is given which deals not with outward
actions but our hearts:
Luke 10:27 He answered: "'Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as
yourself.'"
John 3:15-18: ...that everyone who believes in
him may have eternal life. 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. For God did not send his Son into
the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through
him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does
not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed
in the name of God's one and only Son.
By praying and asking God to give you this free gift, you too
can have the assurance of everlasting life. You may want to pray
like this:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I acknowledge I am a sinner, just like everyone else, no better,
no worse.
I admit I don't have the answers. I can't save myself. I need a
Savior.
Jesus, I believe you are that Savior.
I believe you came born of a virgin, you suffered and were
crucified for me.
You were resurrected after 3 days. In that resurrection is my
hope of new and everlasting life.
So please come into my heart. Forgive all my sins.
Set me on a path to seek your will for my life from this day
forward.
I will live for you, as you enable me. I now receive you as my
Savior, my Lord and my King.
Thank you Jesus for being true to your word,
for forgiving me all my sins, for receiving me into the family of
God.
In Jesus' name - Amen.
Now, if you prayed this prayer from your heart, you are
according to God's Word, a recipient of eternal life, born again,
saved, converted, a Christian! But this is only the beginning of
your new life. Now it's important to begin your new spiritual
growth by
- Reading the Scriptures to come to know Him better
- Remaining in continual prayer
- Finding a church or group of Christians who can help you grow
in your new-found faith
Please let us know of your decision by e-mailing us at
bill@marriageandfamily.org. We will send you a New Birth
Certificate with a cassette teaching for your new life in Christ.
We rejoice in receiving you into the family of God.
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