How can I become a follower of Jesus?
Have you rejected God? Are you wayward? Have you not been baptized? Do you need a recommitment? It’s not too late! Now is the perfect time. For not one day of life is guaranteed. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, God wants you. His son calls you. This can be the beginning of a transformation like you’ve never imagined. Goodbye to the shame of the past! Today you walk free!
Here’s what to do:
Pray to God in your own words.
Pray with me. Or by all means pray in your own words. He longs to hear your heart and grow in relationship with you. No fancy words or formula are necessary. Maybe something like this:
God please forgive me for my sins. I believe your son Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead to cover those sins. I accept him as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, transform me and make your will my will. I love you! In Jesus name, Amen
Receive the Holy Spirit and begin the renewing and transformation of your mind and life.
Read God’s Word.
Begin reading the Bible on a regular basis. This will determine how quickly you grow in your faith. If you’re not sure where to start, try the gospel of John. If reading seems daunting, try listening to the Bible on the YouVersion app. This will be an incredible blessing and guidance for your life as you hear from God himself!
Find a church.
Get plugged into a Bible-based church. Check out this church directory by The Gospel Coalition. This is key to having those seeds He has planted flourish and not be pecked away by the birds. Welcome home! We’re called to be a community to lift up one another.
Take communion.
Take communion with the wine representing his blood and bread representing his body. This is the New Covenant you are entering with the King of the Universe.
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29
Get baptized.
Believers in Jesus Christ are baptized in water to outwardly demonstrate a spiritual change on the inside. Being washed in the water is a public way to declare faith in Jesus Christ and symbolize the cleansing of sin. It represents the death (going under the water), burial (being submerged) and resurrection (coming up for air) we now join Christ in.
Share the gospel.
Tell the world about the good news of Jesus Christ!
Jesus’ last words before he ascended into Heaven:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Welcome to the family!
You just made the most important decision of your life! You have been forgiven and redeemed. You now walk in righteousness, fully whole and clean in the eyes of the Lord. Welcome to the new you!
It’s real! If you prayed and believe that Jesus died for you and want to walk in covenant with him, he accepted you, the Holy Spirit will come in and it’s real. Don’t waste time questioning it. Spend time praying and asking him to reveal himself to you. It will take time to move on from bodily desires to spiritual desires, but you just changed your eternal address, friend! Congratulations!!!
