Plan of Salvation

We hope you have come to this page because you want to know how to become a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. Let us explain.

Our natural tendency is to turn our back on God and satisfy our own cravings.  Our hearts rebel against Him.  This is called "sin" in the Bible, God's Word. Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Despite our rebellion, God loves us and wants to save us from sin. He wants to offer us a new life that is filled with hope. We read in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."

In order to receive this gift of salvation, God made a way through His Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." John 3:16-17 tells us, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

We can receive this gift only by faith.  In Ephesians 2:8 we find, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Faith is a decision of our hearts demonstrated by the actions of our lives.  Romans 10:9 says, "That 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."  As you read this, if you choose right now to believe that Jesus died for your sins and would like to receive new life through Him, then pray a prayer similar to this one to receive his gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life and to thank Him for your new life:

"Dear God, I know that I am a sinner.  And I believe that Jesus died to forgive me of my sins.  I now accept Your offer of eternal life and ask Jesus to be my Savior.  Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins.  Thank you for my new life.  Beginning today, I want to follow you."

If you prayed this prayer with sincerity, congratulations; you have now received salvation and eternal life.  Your sins have been forgiven and you have a new life in Jesus Christ. Next, you need to share this decision with a Christian friend or a pastor.  If you are not attending a church already, find one in which you can worship and grow in your faith.  Then follow Christ's example, ask to be baptized as a public profession of your faith and turn away from your past way of life and walk with Christ.

We'd love to hear about your decision to follow Christ.  Please let us know by sending us an email at mailto:thenewlife@thenewlife.net