WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A
CHRISTIAN - NOW!
The gospel plan of salvation is clear. Sinners must believe in Jesus to be saved
(Jno. 8:24). Sinners must confess Jesus the Lord (Rom. 10:9-10). Sinners must
repent of their sins (Acts 17:30). Sinners must be baptized for the remission
of his sins (Acts 2:38). Since all of us have sinned, the gospel plan of salvation
is for everyone (Rom. 3:23; Mk. 16:15-16). If someone asks you, "Why should
I become a Christian?", how will you reply? Here are a few of the reasons
to become a Christian. (If you are not a Christian, then we ask you to carefully
examine your spiritual condition, and become a Christian without delay.)
Why you should become a Christian:
1) To be forgiven of your sins against God. Sin is the violation of God's law,
either by committing acts that are against His will, or by omitting conduct
that He commands (1 Jno. 3:4; 5:17; Jas. 4:17). It is also a sin to violate
one's conscience (Rom. 14:23; Acts 23:1). While the conscience is not a guide
in deciding what is and is not sinful, it is to be respected and not rendered
useless by repeatedly ignoring it (1 Tim. 4:2). Every morally accountable adult,
at one time or another, has sinned against God (Rom. 3:23). Until one becomes
a Christian, the sinner remains dead in sin. Sin is a weight that enslaves us
and brings us under the just penalty of spiritual death (Rom. 6:23). But, Jesus
said, "I will give you rest...you will find rest for your souls" (Matt.
11:28-30). Rest from the pain and penalty of sin is obtained through the blood
of Jesus (Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). He died so we can have eternal life (1
Pet. 2:24; Rom. 5:8-11). When the sinner obeys the gospel by being baptized
into His death, he or she is saved, redeemed by the blood of Jesus (Rom. 6:3-4).
2) To have the proper direction in your life. In a world where people constantly
seek what is new, different and exciting (things that never completely satisfy
the soul), Jesus Christ gives direction to our lives that is enriching, enduring
and joyful (Jno. 16:22; Phil. 4:4-7). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (Jno. 14:6).
The guidance Jesus gives us leads to the very throne of God. He also said, "I
am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but
have the light of life" (Jno. 8:12). When you become a Christian, you choose
to follow the true light that gives you spiritual life (read Jno. 1:4-5, 9).
When you decide to be a Christian you decide to walk in the light instead of
sin's darkness (Eph. 4:17-24; 5:8-10; 1 Jno. 1:7).
3) To receive present blessings and finally, eternal life. We speak of the spiritual
blessings of brotherhood in the family of God (Eph. 1:3). Jesus said, "Assuredly,
I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father
or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall
not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions-and in the age to come,
eternal life" (Mk. 10:29-30). Untold blessings are ours in the house of
God. Such blessings as encouragement, exhortation, teaching, prayer, support,
rebuke, love - all these and more are ours in Christ as we live among fellow
Christians. Christians live sharing, caring lives. They do not seclude themselves
from their brethren in Christ. Some have said Christianity promotes communal
living, but they misunderstand. Christians have the attitude that "what
is my is yours," gladly sharing without thought of return (Acts 2:44-45;
4:32, 34-35). Rest assured, whatever you give up to become a Christian will
be received back in blessings many times over in this life. And finally, you
will receive the greatest blessing of all - eternal life (Matt. 25:21, 34, 46).
4) To escape the penalty of sin - eternal death. Judgment is coming (2 Cor.
5:10; Rev. 20:12-15). If we die in sin, our judgment will be unto condemnation
(Rom. 2:6-10). God commands everyone to repent, because a day of judgment is
coming, and then there will be no escape from His wrath against your sins (Acts
17:30-31; Rom. 2:4-5; Heb. 9:27). Will you obey God and be saved today? Or,
will you continue to ignore your sin and the coming judgment?
By Joe R. Price
Return to the General Articles page
Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /