beanieboy said:
I've read the bible.
Even looked up verses while posting on TOL.
Does that make me a Christian?
You are very curious about how to become a Christian today.
1. Everyone is a sinner.
[Romans 3:10] "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
[Romans 3:23] "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"
No matter what our religious background, we all find ourselves short of the standard that God has set for us.
2. There is a price for that sin.
[Romans 6:23] "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
[Revelation 21:8] "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
As frightening as it may seem, God's Word declares that all of us have sinned enough to merit the punishment of Hell.
3. You cannot pay that price.
[Ephesians 2:8-9]"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
[Romans 3:28] "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
[Galatians 2:21] "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. "
There is not one deed we can do, not one rite to perform, not one law we could keep that has the ability to pay for one sin that we have committed. The only hope that we have is to find cleansing apart from the Law or man's idea of self-redemption.
4. Jesus paid that price.
[Romans 5:8] "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
[John 3:16] "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Jesus paid the price for the sins of the world, now it is up to you what you do with this free gift.
5. You must personally accept this gift.
It is time to transfer your trust from your own effort, works, religion, or intentions and realizing that these are a futile attempt to pay for sin, trust in Jesus Christ and his finished works alone for payment of your sin.
[Hebrews 6:1b] "...let us go unto perfection; not laying against the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.
[Romans 10:13] " For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
If you wish to personally receive this free gift, then go to God and accept it with a prayer like this:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve to go to Hell, but I also know that You died in my place, taking the punishment that I deserved. I now accept that free gift, the payment for my sins through Your shed blood. Save me from my sins, and take me to heaven. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.
