"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:16 (NASB)

Coming to Know the Lord

People have asked about the process of being saved and becoming a Christian in a personal relationship with God. Can the process be simply stated?  Can I do it.? Who will help me? Is there a clear guide? While the answers to these questions can and do fill volumes, they can also be answered very simply by following the guidance of our Lord, as found in His Word.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." Romans 1:16a (NASB)

Why do Christians want to share their faith, and why do we want you to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal saviour? Jesus very clearly directed us to do exactly that in what is known as the Great Commission.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)

Though you feel drawn to the Lord, you may ask why you should believe that you would have salvation. God clearly states that He has made the way for you.

"and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" Romans 8:30 (NASB)

In other words, He guides you home: past, present and future. God again confirms this promise in the following passage.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

Christians want to share the joy and freedom that comes from this personal knowledge of the Lord.

What, then, are the steps that lead to knowing the Lord and knowing Salvation for eternity?

First, one must recognize his or her overwhelming need for this help.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23 (NASB)

Our lives, upbringing, social and economic status, and general coping mechanisms are largely centered on being self-sufficient and on not needing anything outside of ourselves for our well-being.

The Lord has made it clear that he is there for us, but we must acknowledge our need for Him and seek His help. Only with the admission that we are not self-sufficient, and are in need of Him, can we enter into fellowship with Him and receive that help.

Further, we must admit that we have lived a sinful life, and on our own merit are not worthy of or capable of changing.

Have you found yourself in that place? Whether desparately "running on empty" or just quietly feeling need, He is there for you right now.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8 (NASB)

Through Faith, in asking His help and depending upon Him, you can receive the gift of saving Grace. It can not be earned or purchased in any way - it is a gift from God. It is available for you.

"Thomas asked 'How can we know the way [to heaven]?' Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" John 14:6 (NASB)

This gift is available only through Jesus Christ.

"But the righteous will live by his faith" Habakkuk 2:4b (NASB)

Next, we must come to Him in prayer, have Faith in Him, and ask Him to save us. We must confess and ask forgiveness for our sins and our previous way of life. He has promised that all those who come honestly and contritely to Him, asking forgiveness, will be saved.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (NASB)

Next, we need not only to acknowledge our need for Him, but also to commit to follow Him in the path of  righteousness. That is, sacrifice our old ways and follow Him.

In commiting ourselves to Him, we need to directly ask Him into ourselves and our lives, to be in control instead of us. Then, in Him, we are truly free.

Remember again that He promised "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13 (NASB)

He has also promised that He will send the Holy Spirit as a Helper and Comforter, to dwell in all those who believe and are saved. We will never be alone and the Holy Spirit will be with us and help us until our Lord returns.

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever" John 14:16 (NASB)

To summarize:

1. Recognize you have sinned, lived an ungodly life, and can not correct the situation alone.
2. Confess your sin to Jesus, and asking for forgiveness.
3. Ask Him to help you turn away from your old life, and commit to doing so.
4. Ask the Lord into your life, to be in control and guide you.
5. Determine to follow Him, through the direction of His Spirit and the study of His Word.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." John 14:26 (NASB)

And this is just the beginning of a new life in your walk with Him, and the revelation of His plan for you, now and forever.

" Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4 (NASB)

Since our relationship is directly with the Lord, and therefore our primary source for all things is Him, it is most important that you obtain and read His Word directly. Should you be unable to obtain a Bible locally, we would suggest that you refer to the United Bible Societies web site to find the Bible Society or affiliate in your country or geographic area. The complete Bible can be read directly on the Internet at this NASB link (other version are also available at that link). Other Bible reading and study references are listed on our Bible Study web page under Individual Bible Study.

Since this web page is visible worldwide, we likely can not be there to help you directly, but we would urge you to seek out a local evangelical church or missionary. You might also contact the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches, who co-ordinate a large missionary base, and may be able to refer you to a contact in your geographic area.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NASB)

We sincerely pray that the Lord will Bless and assist your search, and that His Grace will guide you Home.

For further information please see the Contacts page or contact the Church Office.

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last modified Saturday, 04-Feb-2006 21:35:44 EST
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