How do I become a Christian? You must accept the gospel. What is the gospel? It is the good news that Jesus died and paid the full penalty of sin, he rose from the dead, and saves all who turn from their sin and trust Him! Another way of putting it is that the gospel is the good news that God has the perfect answer to life’s most important questions. These questions are:

Where did I come from? Genesis 1 tells us that God created everything. Humanity, who God made in His image, is the pinnacle of His creation. God made everything perfectly, including mankind’s relationship with God. There was truly paradise on earth.

What went wrong? You don’t have to live for very long before you realize things are not the way they are supposed to be. Just look around you and you’ll find suffering, broken relationships, disease, and death. All of this misery is the result of man’s sin. The Bible says that Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, rebelled against God (Gen 3). Ever since, every person is born into sin. We are separated from God. That is why we suffer. It is a consequence of our actions. It all has to do with sin (Rom 3:23; Rom 5:12).

What is the solution? If God left everything alone, there would be no solution. We’d be without hope, because every person would be eternally punished for their sin. But God’s love provided an answer for our sin problem. John 3:16 tells us: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” God’s solution is salvation that is made possible through the life, death, and
resurrection of Jesus. If today, you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved! (Romans 10:9).

Where am I going when I die? God made us for eternity. If you never receive Christ as Savior, eternal separation from God in hell is certain. But if today, you will trust Christ as Savior and turn from your sin, your eternal home will be with Him in heaven (John 14:3). Heaven is a perfect place, just like the world was after God created it and before sin entered into the picture. In heaven, God will wipe away every tear, death will no longer exist, and grief, crying, and pain will be no more (Rev 21:3-4)!

If you would like to talk to a pastor about how to become a Christian, email mmcqueen@hpfbc.com.