We all wrestle with big questions about life, purpose, and what comes next. Deep down, most of us feel it: the world isn’t the way it’s supposed to be.
We know the world is broken. Pain, loss, and disappointment are everywhere. And deep down, we long for something more.
The good news is that Jesus came to offer us something better: a restored relationship with God, a new way of living, and a future full of hope. This is the life we were made for—and becoming a Christian, a follower of Jesus, is the way.
What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?
Becoming a Christian begins with a decision to trust and follow Jesus. It’s not about being perfect or getting your act together, but about realizing that on our own, we can’t fix what’s broken in us or in the world. Only Jesus can.
Because of his great love, Jesus willingly died on the cross to take our place—to pay for our sin and make a way for us to come back to God:
“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.” Romans 5:6-9
Then he rose from the dead, declaring once and for all that sin and death don’t get the final word:
“And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:8-11
That single act changed everything. When we trust Jesus, we become lives changed by Christ—forgiven, restored, and invited into a new way of living.
What the Bible Says About Becoming a Christian
So what does it actually look like to follow Jesus. How does someone become a Christian? In Acts 20:21 (NIV), the Apostle Paul, a leader of the early Church, sums it up: “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”
The two key words here are repentance and faith.
- Repentance means turning away from a life centered on ourselves and turning toward God. It’s a change in direction—a decision to stop living for “me” and start living for “him.”
- Faith means trusting Jesus to forgive your sins and to lead your life. It’s choosing to believe he is who he says he is, and letting that belief guide how you live.
2 Corinthians 5:15 puts it best: Jesus “died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” Trusting Jesus means changing the way we live from something self-serving to something that reflects faith and trust in Jesus—who he says he is and how he calls us to live.
What Happens When You Say Yes to Jesus?
Saying yes to Jesus doesn’t just change your destination. It changes your identity and your everyday life. When you trust him, you’re not just forgiven. You’re made new. You begin a journey of transformation, and you live with the unshakable hope that God is making all things right—including you.
But that hope doesn’t end with this life. Jesus promised that those who trust him will live forever with him in a world where everything broken is made whole. Revelation 21:4 promises that one day “he will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
When we think about becoming a Christian, we often think about going to Heaven after we die. And while that’s certainly part of it (John 3:16), this verse in Revelation points to God’s ultimate plan to restore the world. Heaven and earth will be reunited one day, and as followers of Jesus, we will be part of it!
That’s the future we look forward to—not just escaping pain, but being with Jesus face to face. Becoming a Christian means living with that promise of eternity in your heart and letting it shape how you live right now. Even in a broken world, you can live with confidence, purpose, and peace, knowing that your story is part of something much bigger.
You're Invited into a New Life
So, how do you become a Christian? It starts with an honest conversation between you and God. There is no perfect script. Just tell him you want to turn from doing life your way and trust Jesus to forgive you and lead you.
Even a simple prayer like this can be a starting point: “Jesus, I know I need you. I've tried to do life on my own, and it’s not working. I believe you died for me and rose again. Please forgive me. I want to trust you and follow you from this day forward.”
And if you’re not quite ready? That’s okay. Questions are part of the journey, and we’d love to help you process them. You were created for a full, lasting life with God. And Jesus is the way to do it.
If you’re ready to trust Jesus, let us know—we'd love to celebrate with you, pray for you, and share some resources that will help get you started.
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There’s proof Jesus is a real, historical figure—and it doesn’t just come from the Bible!
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LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!