- Faith – believing in and obeying Jesus
- Admit you are a sinner
- Understand why Jesus died for our sins
- Live the way God directs us in his Word
- Fellowship with other Christians
God created man to live with Him in unity and fellowship. Adam and Eve sinned by doing something that God forbade them to do. They lived to please themselves, not God. This attitude tainted all of humankind and we have inherited sin that has been passed down from generations to generations. Sin is doing things that are againt the will of God. We are naturally prone to sin, it is innate in us. Through God’s will we can forsake sin.
The penalty for sin is death. God loves us so much, he allowed His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins, so that we may be redeemed and have everlasting life. When you open your heart to Jesus, you are saying you need Him in your life, to guide you. You are asking Him to forgive you your sins. Confess openly and honestly with Him. The Bible says, “Confess your sins and He is faithful and just to forgive you your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Do not wait to clean your act up before you feel you are worthy of God. Jesus died for our sins. Open your heart to Him and through the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and souls we can seek obedience. Salvation is the key to resisting sin.
The word “Christian” is derived from “Christ in.” The Lord is within all “born-again” Christians who have turned from their old, sinful ways. The indwelling of The Holy Spirit brings our spirit alive to God. Sometimes you will not receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit until you have been baptised in water — a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ and your becoming a Christian. Water baptism is also symbolic of what Christ has done in your life. Going under the water means you are dying to the old you and rising out to a new life where you are living for Christ.
Show your love for God by reading His word – the Bible. Learn his likes and dislikes. Follow the examples of the righteous people in the Bible. Learn from the mistakes of the unrighteous.
Spend time in prayer with God every day. Get to know Him. Develop a closer relationship with Him.
God uses your conscience to make you aware of when you are sinning. Repent and confess. Ask Him for renewed strength to help keep your from sinning again.
Go to church and fellowship with other Christians. Gain strength in knowing you are not alone as a Christian. The preacher is how God gets His message to you. You have an extended family now. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. In Galatians 3:26, the Bible says we are all sons of God through faith in Christ. God adopts you as His child when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
