Following Jesus
Salvation starts with an important question…
What does God want?
Surprisingly, the answer is simple. God wants you!
God wants you to know why your life is so valuable to Him and who you are. He wants you to trust in Him so that you can be saved from eternal death and sin. And because it is His nature to seek you (although you may believe He has more important things to attend to), He is committed to you!
Why does God want us?
God acts out of a desire to be with and enjoy His creation—us. He didn't create humans out of need or loneliness. He is complete and truly cares for what He has made, especially those made in His likeness. As stated in Genesis 1:26, we are created "in His image, to represent him.
Biblical Basis
Romans 10:9-10 teaches that by declaring Jesus is Lord and believing he rose from the dead are essential for salvation. And in Acts 2:38, the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, urged people to turn away from their sin to be forgiven and get baptised, emphasising the importance of changing one's heart and actions.
In other words, all those who have put their trust in what Jesus did on the cross and his resurrection as the only means of salvation will have everlasting life.
Finding Clarity
Before we dive more into God's love and redemption, known as the Gospel (good news), let's clarify some words you might not be familiar with. Understanding these terms will help you appreciate the amazing story of a loving God filled with grace, mercy, and redemption.
Repentance
Repentance is the gateway to your relationship with God and being face-to-face with Him.
Confession
No one is sinless like Jesus. We confess we can't save ourselves and can only rely on what Jesus did for us.
Forgiveness
Jesus is the only means of forgiveness for our sins & our entrance back into God's family.
Free Gift
Salvation can't be lost by your mistakes or behavior. Trusting in what Jesus did for you is enough in God's eyes.
Reconciliation
Once we have permanent access to God's family as His children we rely on God's definition of who we are.
Discipleship
This looks like being with Jesus so you become like Him and then you can do what He is doing.
The Result
Faith in Jesus leads to salvation, which brings us back to God and His family. When you trust in Him, you are saved from sin and death. You receive salvation by letting go of self-reliance and believing in what Christ has done, which makes you a disciple of Jesus.
What is your response?
At this crucial point in your journey, it’s important to consider how you might respond and what actions you could take. Let's see what the Bible says about this. In the book of Acts, after Peter preached the Gospel, the people asked a key question.
““Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.””
It's not a magic trick; it's about believing in what Jesus did for you through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus desires more than just a choice from you—He wants you to leave your old life behind and follow Him every day.
If you find yourself asking, like the people in Acts 2, "What should I do?", you are ready to accept God's means for salvation and are ready to take the next step.
The Prayer of Salvation
If you are sincere and recognise that you are a sinner and need salvation through Jesus Christ, you can pray this heartfelt prayer to God. We encourage you to express your faith (trust) by praying the following prayer out loud, engaging with your heart.
Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name. I acknowledge that my sin separates me from you and that I fall short of your glory.
Thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for my sins. I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus died and He rose again, so I can be forgiven and given eternal life.
I repent from my sin and ask for your forgiveness and to cleanse me. I choose to follow you, Jesus, as my Lord and Saviour. Please help me to love, serve, and obey You for the rest of my life
— Amen!
Congratulations!
Welcome to God's Family!
Undoubtedly, you're eager to learn more about what it means to follow Jesus. Just like a baby needs certain things to grow, you will need to take a few steps to help your spiritual development.