How to Follow Jesus
Spiritual gifts are given to people who follow Jesus Christ. If you're not sure where you stand with God, or you'd like to understand what it means to follow Jesus, this page is for you.
God loves you
God created you, knows you, and loves you. He wants a relationship with you, both now and forever.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Sin separates us from God
Every one of us has turned away from God and gone our own way. The Bible calls this sin. Sin breaks our relationship with God, and we can't repair it by trying harder or being good enough.
"For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Jesus made a way back to God
Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross to pay for our sin, and rose from the dead three days later. Through Him, God offers forgiveness and new life as a free gift.
"But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
You can respond today
Following Jesus begins with a simple, sincere response:
- Admit that you have sinned and need God's forgiveness, and be willing to turn from your sin.
- Believe that Jesus died for your sin and that God raised Him from the dead.
- Commit your life to Jesus as your Lord, and trust Him to lead you from now on.
"If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
A prayer you can pray
There are no magic words. God looks at your heart. If you want to follow Jesus, you can tell Him in your own words, or pray something like this:
Jesus, I know that I have sinned and that I can't save myself. I believe that You died for my sin and that God raised You from the dead. I turn from my sin and put my trust in You. I want to follow You as my Lord. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me new life. Amen.
What's next
If you've just decided to follow Jesus, welcome to God's family.
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Here are some good first steps:
- Tell someone. Share your decision with a Christian friend or a pastor.
- Find a church. Following Jesus isn't meant to be done alone. A local church will help you grow, worship, and serve.
- Read the Bible. The Gospel of John is a great place to start.
- Talk with God. Prayer is simply talking with God. Do it every day.
- Ask about baptism. Baptism is a public way to show that you follow Jesus. A pastor can explain more.
When you're ready, discovering your spiritual gifts is a great way to find where you can serve in your church.
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain.