How Do I Convert to Christianity?
How do you convert to Christianity? Well, let us start by first defining Christianity and what it means to be a Christian.
Christianity in its purest and Biblical form is a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity is not a religion of Do’s and Don’ts but it is a personal one-on-one relationship between you and the Creator of the universe.
A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ and the teachings in the Bible which is the infallible word of God. The word Christian means: to be Christ-like or to have the character of Christ.
Therefore a Christian is one who aims to conform to the image and character of Jesus Christ in his/her daily life.
Why Christianity?
Christianity is about the good news that God loves the world so much that He sent Jesus Christ to die and pay for the sins of mankind (John 3:16).
Sin is when we violate the commandments of God knowingly or unknowingly. All of mankind is guilty of committing sin against God (Romans 3:23).
Therefore if you have ever had an impure thought; or if you have ever stolen; or if you have ever told a lie; or done any kind of wrongdoing in your life – these are examples of sins that we are guilty of committing before a just and holy God.
So before God we are like criminals who deserve to be punished for their crimes. So because we are sinners, we actually deserve to be punished in hell.
However, whilst we are sinners, God still loves us and Jesus Christ was crucified on the Cross to save us from our sin and to save us from experiencing the ultimate consequence of sin which is punishment in an everlasting hell (Romans 6:23).
So even though we are sinners deserving hell, God demonstrated His grace and love for us by allowing Jesus Christ to pay for our sins so that we may have eternal life.
Romans 5:8 says: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
So even though we are sinners who deserve to be eternally punished for all our transgressions, God shows demonstrates His love and grace for us by giving us salvation as a free gift through Jesus Christ.
Conversion to Christianity Happens Inwardly
It is only faith or trusting in Jesus Christ that can save you from sin. Conversion to Christianity happens inwardly. Jesus came to save people through changing the hearts of men so that they turn away from sin and follow Him. Christianity is an inward desire to follow Christ and become more like Him and this inward repentance will eventually manifest outwardly in our actions and behavior in life.
God is willing to save anyone and He desires that all people should repent.
2 Peter 3:9 says: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
It does not matter if you’re from a different religion; or if you’re an atheist; or if you have committed many terrible sins in your life. Jesus Christ died for the lost; Jesus died for sinners.
Jesus said the following in Matthew 9:12-13 – … “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
God loves you and Jesus Christ paid for your sins and the sins of the world on the Cross.
Remember that Christianity is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
How Do I Practically Convert To Christianity?
1. Acknowledge You Are A Sinner
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
It does not matter which background or religion that we come from – we have all broken at least one or more of God’s commandments, like those mentioned in Exodus 20:1-17. For example, if you have told a lie; if you have stolen something; if you have lusted after somebody or if you have coveted. This means you are guilty of breaking at least one or more of God’s 10 Commandments. Breaking God’s commandments makes us sinners. The fact that we are sinners who have broken God’s law means that we are accountable to God who is the Lawgiver.
Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
You must acknowledge that you are a sinner who has broken God’s commandments and that you therefore need Jesus in your life.
2. Repent of Sinful Lifestyle & Follow Jesus
“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action;
Therefore God wants you to repent of sinful values and of sinful living. God wants you to decide to
follow Him and to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life.
3. Confess Jesus Christ as Lord & Saviour
“If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)
God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.
4. Believe Jesus Christ is the Only Way for Salvation
“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).
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6)
You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave.
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him, 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 1:11-12)
By faith, You must receive Jesus as Your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God
Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?
We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior (Galatians 3:26) & (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ.
PLEASE NOTE: You can choose to pray in your own words. This prayer is a sample prayer and it is only an EXPRESSION of your faith, belief & trust in Jesus. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH or TRUSTING in Christ Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.
“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love. I thank You that You died on the cross for me and resurrected so that I may have life through You.
I confess Lord that I have sinned against You and today I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins, past present and future.
Today I repent and have decided to follow you. Thank you for forgiving all my sins.
From this moment, come into my life Lord Jesus & take full control of my life. I want to follow You Jesus and I want to follow Your ways. Save me and from today, make me the person You want me to be.
I receive You Lord Jesus right now by faith. I trust You as my Lord and Savior – Amen”
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