Below is a simple, four-step plan to receive Christ.
This process is called ‘being saved’ (1John 2:2; Acts 4:12) or born again (see John 3:3 and 2 Cor. 5:17).
Born-again believers are disciples and followers of Christ. Those who believe in Jesus Christ, are saved by Jesus Christ. They are forgiven of their sins and assured of eternal life in heaven.
1. Understand that God has not been first place in your life and ask Him to forgive your sins. The Bible notes that God loves us and that Jesus will forgive all sins that are confessed to Him.
- The Bible says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from every wrong.” (1 John 1:9)
2. Believe that Jesus died to pay for your sins and that He rose again and is alive today.
- Sin separates us from God. Know that Jesus died and rose again so that your sins can be forgiven. When this happens, you are restored into a right and perfect relationship with the Father. The first step is to acknowledge that you believe in God, that His Son is Jesus, that Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, was crucified, rose again and will come again in fulfillment of the Scriptures. The Bible notes: “If you confess that Jesus is your Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
3. Confess your sins to Jesus and accept God’s gift of salvation.
Believe that God loves you. Believe that Jesus came and died for you. Believe that God’s grace is greater than your sin. Do not let regret, bitterness, fear or shame keep you from falling into the arms of God.
- Remember, restoring our relationship with God is not based on anything we do, but on what Jesus already did for us!
Remember also, that when you confess your sins, your sins are both forgiven and forgotten. Scripture notes that “When we confess our sins to Jesus, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
4. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and be Lord of your life.
- It is not enough to believe in Him—the Bible notes that even the demons believe in Jesus. The call is to love Him and follow Him with all of your heart, all of your mind and all of your strength.” God’s grace is promised to all who truly believe.
- “To all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
You can be sure of your salvation right now by praying a simple prayer of commitment to God. Your commitment to God will be met with the indwelling presence of His Spirit, and that is your guarantee that you will share in the blessed rapture event that prophecy tells us is to come, in God’s timing.
A sample prayer is presented below:
“Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me, even when I’ve ignored You and have gone my own way.
I realize I need You in my life and I’m sorry for my sins. I ask You to forgive me.
Thank you for dying on the cross for me.
Please come into my life and make me a new person inside. I accept Your gift of salvation.
Help me to understand Your love, and Your will for my life, more and more. As much as I know how, I want to follow You from now on.
Please help me to grow now as a Christian. Thank you, Jesus!”