When exactly do you become a Christian?
- Thread starter Ernie
- Start date
-
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
PS95
Well-Known Member
Hey Ernie,
This is quite the thread you've started. You have answers from all sorts of people in various churches, cults and others. On this forum it takes time to discern who is who- since tagging yourself as "Christian" on here doesn't mean much.
I might as well chime in. I have never called myself anything other than a Christian. I am not one for denominational names. Most churches teach the basic gospel and disagree on finer points. Here- folks will fight over anything and everything. I found it to take away not to add anything good.
How do you know you are a Christian? In a world of people all claiming to be right that's a decent question. I don't think the answer is difficult though. We are to examine ourselves. Some basics..
Do you believe that Jesus was the Word of God who became flesh and dwelt among us?-- Do you believe that His death paid for your sins- his blood washed you clean - He is our Savior and Lord- The very Son of God?
Have you ever really thought about how wonderful that grace is? How amazing it is that He loves you enough to die for you? Who does that?!
Has it ever made you weep and rejoice? Did you ever get down on your knees and praise God for showing you His incredible love & forgiveness?
If so, I would say it fair to say you are a Christian.- a babe in Christ..
Afterwards, did you notice a desire to want to live in such a way that it's pleasing to God? Have you noticed that you don't want to do some of the things that you used to do?
Have you begun to desire to do the things that Jesus taught?
ie: helping others, forgiving people, speaking to others about Him, etc. Do you find yourself pouring over the scriptures?
That's how you know. Christ is in your heart and His Spirit is guiding and helping you to grow.
There is an inward change- and it continues throughout your life as you grow. Sometimes it's noticeable- other times it seems vague but draw closer daily. The Spirit can help you, guide you, teach you, convict you, comfort you.. take notice of that and heed His words.
Keep praying- keep praising Him for His love- keep asking Him to guide you and help you with each step in life you take-- iow stay connected- you are now in a relationship with God and are his adopted son. So, Talk to Him- confess when you mess up- praise Him for His grace fully trusting in the power of the blood of Jesus. Talk with Him about anything.
If you feel concerned- pray- If you feel thankful- pray- always pray and always rejoice in His love.
No matter what goes down in our lives- no matter how hard it seems- He is there.
It makes it so much easier to stay connected to Him in your daily life.
Never doubt His love even in the hard times. The hard times help to refine us. Just trust that the God of the entire universe is FOR you.
Overthinking can get us into trouble. We don't have to understand everything perfectly. What we do need to do is to trust His wisdom and remember to remain humble and love others. Keeping your eyes on Jesus is the way to stay humble and the way to love other people- He died for all of us- but especially those who believe in Him.
You will hit bumps in the road where you feel whatever ( depressed, angry, anxious etc) that is when you PRAY too and begin by thanking Him for anything and everything you can think of- all good things come from God- I have even thanked Him for soap and warm water- birds singing- a cup of soup- a baby smiling- a tomato in my garden- legs and arms- eyes to see with--
IF you do that- watch your worries fade.- watch what He does. He restores us.
You may hit times where it seems you go low so that you are drawn to Him-- yes- you are learning to lean on Him more and more. That's good!
Remember that when we don't want to pray- that is when we need to the most.-- Once you begin and stay with it it gets easier. There have been times when I could find no words, so I told him that too, and just sat in His presence.. Our relationship with God is as close as we make it- if you draw close to Him- He does draw close to you. In time, you will know when He speaks to you. You will just know.
Your peace- your joy- your power- your everything is found in Him- even your very life.
Try to make habit of putting on some of your favorite Christian music- for me, I prefer the older hymns but there is a lot of faithful music to choose from- and sing with them- sing your heart out- it is nature's antidepressant.
There is nothing that we deal with in life that God isn't above. When we fix our hearts on Him- watch this life's troubles fade to nothing.
The problems may still exist for a season but the inner peace swallows it up. I wish all the best for you and will keep you in my prayers.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.- Isaiah 26:3
soberxp
Well-Known Member
Wearing a cross necklace does not make us a Christian; this act of associating a material object with God is inappropriate.
Actually, I don't want to use the term Christian. I prefer to say I'm a believer.
When you believe in Jesus Christ then you are a believer.
When do you become a Christian? Here is the general sequence.
1. You are born with the knowledge that God exists
2. Before the gospel is ever presented to you, you have knowledge that God exists, that he is creator, that he is powerful, and that you will answer to him after death.
3. Armed with all this knowledge, someone gives you the gospel message.
4. The Holy Spirit convinces you of the truth of the gospel message.
5. An advanced believer will tell you that all you have to do is have faith in God or Jesus.
6. Here is when you become a believer: when you accept Christ by faith.
7. The big question is how much faith does someone need to have to be saved?
8. The answer: any more than none at all.
As you grow in Christ by the studying of his Word, you become more and more knowledgeable and become more and more convinced of God and Christ. Many truths will become certain. This happens over the years as you devote most of your time studying the Bible. If you don't engage in ongoing Bible study, you will have lots of doubt about Christian doctrines and your relationship with Christ. And you wont be able to help young believers, or unbelievers when they ask you about the assurance you have of your eternal destiny.
Similar threads
