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Plan of Salvation
How To Become a Christian
By Billy Graham
If your desire is to become a Christian, please read these four steps everyone
must take to have peace with God.
Step 1 - God's Purpose: Peace and Eternal Life
First you must understand that God loves you, and He wants
you to live in peace with Him and to receive eternal life.
The Bible Says...
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Since God planned for us to be at peace with Him and to
have eternal life, why are many people not enjoying this experience?
Step 2 - Our Problem: Sin & Separation
Secondly, we must know that God did not make us robots to
mindlessly love and obey Him. Instead He gave us a will and freedom of choice.
But, like Adam, we often choose to disobey God and go our own selfish ways
(read Genesis chapters 2-3). This side of our nature is called sin, and it
separates us from God.
The Bible Says...
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...
and the wages of sin is death." Romans 3:23; 6:23
"But your iniquities (sins) have separated you from
your God;
and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear
you." Isaiah 59:2
Tragically, our sin separates us from God.
Step 3 - God's Remedy: The Cross
Next, each of us knows that we have tried to make peace with
God by doing good things for others or giving money to charities or working at
being a better person. We need to understand that we can’t earn our way to
heaven by trying to be good enough because God only allows perfection into
heaven and we all know none of us are perfect. God knows that man, no matter
how good he tries to be cannot attain perfection so He provided the only answer
– his son, Jesus Christ – to the problem of separation between Him and man.
Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to pay the penalty for our
sin--completely bridging the gap between God and us.
The Bible Says...
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 "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
"...God is on one side and all the people on the other
side, and Christ Jesus, Himself man, is between them to bring them
together..."
1 Timothy 2:5 (TLB)
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word [Jesus]
and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has
crossed over from death to life." John 5:24
God has provided the only way... and we must make the
choice....
Step 4 - Our Response: Receive Christ
Finally, We need to know we can receive Jesus Christ when we
believe in His message and trust in Him alone to save us. Or we choose to
continue on our own way of self-destruction and separation from God’s love.
The Bible Says...
"All the prophets testify about Him that every one who believes in Him
[Jesus Christ] receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Acts 10:43
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right
to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name."
John 1:12
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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9-10
How to receive Christ:
1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the
grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through
the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as your Savior).
What to Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am sinful and I need Your forgiveness. I believe
that You died to pay the penalty for my sin. I want to turn from my sin nature
and follow You instead. I invite You to come into my heart and life. In Jesus'
name. Amen.
God's Assurance: His Word
If you sincerely prayed this prayer and asked Jesus Christ to come into your life,
do you know what He has given you?
The Bible Says...
"Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
"Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:39
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the
Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe
in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal
life...." 1 John 5:12-13, (NKJV)
Your New Life:
When you receive Christ, you are born into God's family through the
supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live in every
believer...this is called regeneration or "new birth."
Then the Holy Spirit is there to help you live the Christian
life as you ask God for direction in living in such a way as to please Him. God
bless you as you begin your wonderful new life in Christ.
What to do next:
- Let us know of your
decision by contacting us.
- Click
to email or Call us at (770) 943-5511.
- Get involved in a Bible
study that helps you grow as a Christian.
- Join a church that
provides that family nurturing we all need.
- Be baptized as a public
way of demonstrating what God has done in your life
(Webmaster)
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