What does it mean to
trust Jesus to be your Savior?
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 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TRUST JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR AND HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM?
You just have to take a few simple steps:
1. RECOGNIZE YOUR CONDITION.
In order to find the way to eternal life with God, I must admit I am a sinner
Romans 5:12 teaches us that since Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on earth, a sin nature has been present in all people. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Sin is any act contrary to God’s laws and commandments, and those sins that I have committed separate me from God. Whenever I have been lost, I have paid some type of penalty. I have been late to a special event and, on occasion, I have received a speeding ticket. Sin also has a penalty. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The “wage” or payment for our sin is spiritual death, and eternal separation from God.
2. RELIGION AND GOOD WORKS ARE NOT THE ANSWER.
Religions try to create their own ways to God. Their systems may seem logical, but they cannot bridge the gap created by our sin. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” In other words, our thoughts and ways are not what matter. God’s Word, the Bible, provides true answers of grace and forgiveness. In Ephesians 2:8–9 the Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
3. THE GOOD NEWS: JESUS CHRIST PROVIDED THE WAY.
Even though we were lost and separated from God, He loved us, and because He is love, God sent His Son to die on the Cross and raise from the dead three days later. John 3:16 explains “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, He became the payment for our sin. He took our place as our Substitute! Now, we do not have to pay for our sin ourselves. By His grace, salvation is provided. In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, “But God showed his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
4. REPENT AND BELIEVE TO RECEIVE THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
In order to have a relationship with God and an eternal home in Heaven, we must turn from our sin and our own efforts to save ourselves and instead place our full trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sin and eternal life. Repentance is not about turning over a new leaf or reforming your lifestyle; it's about having a heart change about sin, seeing it as God sees it and wanting deliverance from it.
Belief means more than just agreeing with some facts about Jesus. Rather, it is completely relying upon Jesus and Him alone to forgive your sins, satisfy the Father's wrath, and declare your righteous before a holy God. In Roman 10:13 the Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
That is a promise directly from God that if you will pray to Him, confess that you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive your sins, and turn to Him alone to be your Savior, then He promises to save you and give you the free gift of eternal life. You can make that decision today by calling out to God in faith.
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)