how to...

There is HOPE. You have a PURPOSE. God loves YOU.

 

Where can I find hope? What does it mean to be saved? How do I get to heaven?

 

To be sure you are going to heaven, you must have a relationship with God. He is not exclusive. We know this relationship is open to everyone because everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13). He sent His only Son to save you, not condemn you. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:17). We have all messed up and made mistakes. None of us are perfect or measure up to God's perfection (Romans 3:23). This is what separates us from Him. You must take personal responsibility for your sin. Forgiveness is not something you can earn. You are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift - not from works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). You must walk in a different direction away from the old, sinful life and walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). Because of what Christ has done, you will want to live differently. You can be confident that God loves you because not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord 
(Romans 8:38-39)!

 

Let's make it simple. Here is what God's Word says about how to become a Christian.

 

Admit: Admit to God you are a sinner.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Believe: Believe that Jesus is God's Son and paid the punishment for our sin.

Romans 5:8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 

Confess: Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord of your life.

Romans 10:9-10 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. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

 

After a person admits to God she is a sinner, believes Jesus, God's Son, paid the punishment for sin, asks for forgiveness and turns away from sin, and confesses faith in Jesus, she is a Christian.

If you are wondering what to pray, here's an example for you to follow.

Lord Jesus, I want to have a relationship with You. I know I am a sinner and do not measure up, and  I need a Savior. I believe You sent Your Son, Jesus to earth to die and He paid the punishment for the sins of the world. I also believe that You made Him alive and because of this, I can be forgiven. Please forgive me for my sin. I want to follow You in a new direction and ask that You come into my life as Savior. I want to live for You. Thank You for saving me. Amen.