The Bible says that God created the world perfect. There was no sin and no death. But Satan tempted Adam and Eve into disobeying God and sinning. Sin is simply wanting to go our own way instead of trusting God and following His commands. In Adam and Eve's case, they disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3). Ever since, everyone has sinned, and there has been much difficulty, worry and pain in the world as a result. Our sin even keeps us from God, because he is pure and holy and sin can't be in his presence.
If this was the end of the story, we would all be in big trouble. Quite frankly, we'd all be condemned to hell (Luke 16:19-31). But God loves us, and doesn't want us to go to hell. God loves us so much that he sent his one and only son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die on a cross as the sacrifice for our sins. Even though Jesus was without sin, He took the sins of the entire world upon himself and took the punishment that we deserve - death. But after three days, he rose from the dead! Now because of what Jesus did, we can have eternal life in heaven with God, after our bodies die here on earth. If you accept Jesus Christ as your saviour and decide to follow him, you become a Christian. The word "Christian" just means a follower of Jesus Christ.
Being a Christian is not the same thing as just going to church, trying be a good person, and thinking that God exists. That stuff won't save you from sin. To become a Christian you need to make a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ. God has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11), and He longs for you to accept him. Here's how to start following Jesus Christ:
A - Admit you are a sinner
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23
B - Believe that Jesus Christ died to save you from your sin, then rose from the dead
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
C - Choose Jesus as your saviour, God, and friend.
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. – Romans 10:9
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. – Psalm 9:10
✞ ✞ Some important things to know about Jesus: ✞ ✞
Jesus is God:
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” – John 8:58
("I am" was a name for God in the Old Testament – see Exodus 3:14)
Jesus is the only way to heaven:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through me. – John 14:6
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:12
✞ ✞ Conclusion ✞ ✞
We can't save ourselves from sin. Only through Jesus can we be made right with God. If you have decided to dedicate your life to following Jesus, join a church so you can grow in your faith and learn more about who He is! He's changed my life, and can definitely do some pretty cool stuff in your life too!
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. – Colossians 2:6-7
Bible verses are from the NIV ©2011.
