Seeking a New Life.  How do I become a Christian?

The question is simply, "How do I change?"

Man's heart cannot change by itself. Nor can his attempts to improve his condition change his inward nature. Some, of course, believe we naturally seek the welfare of others but any clear look at this world starting from infants up portray the same picture of a self-seeking nature.

Jealousies, fights, arguments, hitting, despising, hating, adultery, immorality and lying all clearly depict man's natural bent toward seeking ones own desires. God's nature on the contrary is love-oriented. We see this when God sent His Son Jesus to earth to die on the cross. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

God's gift of love in Christ was horribly rejected by man. Man killed Jesus the Peace Maker. It is interesting how the most vivid scene of love is seen here inthe Gospels.

Love is God's nature. How can that help us?

We must realize that left unchanged by God's love, we remain totally guilty for each and every self-oriented thought and action. We have not sought God's ways but man's. Romans 3:10-12 says,

There is none righteous, not even one;
there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God;
all have turned aside, together they have become useless;
there is none who does good, there is not even one.

Focus on me is selfish
Focus on God and others is love
Our selfish and unholy nature is easily seen when our lives rotate around our own preferences. Man naturally has been infected with this base nature. God's love nature seeks out the preferences of others. This can be obtained only by supernaturally being born from above by the Holy Spirit.

God wants to bring the new nature into our own lives. This is what is meant by born again. This does not mean our old life is reincarnated, but a new spiritual life from God is implanted in our souls. I was totally changed from inside out. Many millions around the world throughout time have been likewise changed. Jesus clearly outlined the necessity of being 'born again' or 'born from above' (either translation is accurate). John 3:3 says,
    
"Jesus answered and said to him,
    "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again,
    he cannot see the kingdom of God.""
This new life begins now but has an eternal impact.

Nicodemus, the person Jesus was addressing, had it all. A well known and liked community leader, wealthy, and noted for his devout character. But these outward influences never changed his heart. Nicodemus knew this. This is the reason he sought Jesus late at night. He needed to know something. Others patted him on the back for his accomplishments in society, but he knew down deep there was something missing. Later Nicodemus indeed was born again. And he became a changed man. He repented from his self-motivated life and believed that Jesus had taken away his sin on the cross. A new man born with God's nature of love. We see evidence of this later on in his life as you read on in the Gospel of John.

If you yourself can see the horror of your self, your guilt before God and are willing to seek God's help, do pray to Him. Declare your hate for sin, your willingness to turn from all evil behavior and plead with God in the name of Jesus Christ to cleanse you from all sin. John, the disciple of Jesus, wrote very clearly describing this whole process in John 1:12.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

God takes us and adopts us into His family as His child and given His own nature. Christian love grows out from this new nature. We do not force it but nurture it. The new seed has been planted. And from that seed grows a beautiful life.

Let us know if you have taken such a step or thinking about it. We would love to speak more with you on what God expects from His children and how God cares for His greatly loved children.

The Bible calls the way Christians grow as discipleship. BFF's website is dedicated to producing discipleship material to help each Christian grow in every area of his or her life as God has designed.


Here is a sample prayer that you can repeat. But feel free to say your own prayer of confession, repentance and belief. There is nothing magical about this prayer. The key is your sincerity and belief in Christ's forgiveness for your sins.

Dear Lord, I have gone astray from You. In fact, I didn't even care about you. I had my friends but never contemplated how I have rejected your from being my best friend. I recognize that I have gone against your ways. I have failed you. You are angry with me for my sin. I have no other way to get rid of my sin but through Jesus. I accept Jesus Christ right now into my life in His wholeness and holiness. I repent from my old life and embrace You, Lord, and all that you have for me. As you have pledged yourself to me, so now I pledge myself by your grace and power to live and to die for you.
Please take my sin away and now accept me as your adopted child as John 1:12 says,

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name," Take me now, Lord. All of me.
Trusting in Christ's Name, ______________________. Amen.

Listen to two testimonies how the Lord radically changed the lives of two men! Jatin | Jadav


Other articles on find salvation
Rivers of Living Water John 3:37-39
Uniqueness of Jesus Christ John 1:1-13
How does truth lead me to life?

Understanding Beliefs

"How can I be born again?"

Lingering Shadows: Living in a World of Gods

Detecting Error Confronting the Christian Church (Acts 20:20-28)

Sharing the Gospel with Jehovah Witnesses

Dangers of Mormon Cult Teachings - The Latter Day Saints

Guarding Our Hearts from Error Within

The Choice against Secularism

The New Birth & Evangelism: Another Look at How to Share the Gospel or Witness

The Fascination of Light

The Empty Search of Man

The Moral Awareness of God

Springtime!

God's Ingenious Design


Biblical Foundations for Freedom