Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Olivia Woodford. Olivia Woodford is the Founder of Bible Women Speak. Olivia has been teaching biblical stories of women through theater since 1992. She is a member of Biblical Storytellers International and has performed at and hosted learning retreats with churches, schools, and women's groups of all denominations throughout the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Olivia has a BFA in Theater Arts from Boston University.
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According to the Christian Bible, Jesus’ forgiveness is eternal, and anyone who accepts Jesus into their life will be saved by his grace. If you want Jesus’ gift of salvation, there are a few things you have to commit to doing, like confessing your sins and asking for forgiveness. In general, you should also commit to being a good Christian and following the Bible so that you will be accepted into Heaven.
Steps
Confess your sins through prayer to communicate with God. When you commit a sin, sit down and take time to think about what happened. Use the time to pray in whatever manner you prefer, and be honest about what happened and why it happened. For instance, you might say something like “Dear Father, I’ve been having a hard time controlling my temper lately, and I lashed out and yelled at a friend today. Truly, I’m worried about disappointing my friends, and I don’t want to hurt them anymore.”[1]- It’s important to be honest about the situation and your intentions. As long as you’re honest, you can ask for forgiveness.
Recite a prayer asking for forgiveness when you sin. Once you’ve prayed about your sin, you can ask for forgiveness. Recite a “sinner’s prayer” of your choice, or make up your own to be specific to your situation. Emphasize that you are truly sorry for your actions, and think of ways that you will try harder to act in Jesus’ image.[2]Sample Prayer for Forgiveness
If you’ve sinned by speaking negatively about yourself, you could say something like:
“Father, today I ask forgiveness for speaking negatively about myself. I don’t want to think of myself in an abusive way. Change my thoughts about myself and let me understand how you see me as your child. Help me adjust my habits so I speak hopefully and positively about myself and my life. In Jesus' name.“
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Pray for the salvation of non-believers. If your friends and family haven’t accepted Jesus as the Son of God, you can pray for their salvation too. Communicate with God about how much you love them, and think about all of the ways they have helped you grow closer to God. Ask for God’s help in showing them the beauty of salvation through the Lord.[3]- It’s okay to pray for the salvation of people who have a different religion from you. They don’t have to change their beliefs, but you can still pray for them.
Make a plan to avoid temptation and sin. If you continue to commit the same sins over and over, try coming up with a way to remove yourself from the situation or avoid it altogether. Talk to your pastor, spiritual guide, or an adult who you trust about the situation. Finally, pray to Jesus to ask for guidance about how to resist temptation in your life.[4]- For example, if you tend to take the Lord’s name in vain when you’re mad, try to come up with other ways to verbally express your frustration. If you frequently say “Jesus Christ” or “Oh my God” you could say something like “Goodness Gracious” or “Sheesh!”
Accept Jesus as the Son of God. According to the Bible, all Christians who recognize Jesus as the Son of God are able to be saved. If you truly believe that God and Jesus are one entity, created the universe and everything in it, and are kind and forgiving, you are considered a Christian. In the Bible, only Christians are able to accept the gift of salvation.- It’s important that you do this, because without accepting Jesus into your life, you can’t be considered a Christian.
Read about Jesus’ death on the cross to understand salvation. In the Bible, God sends Jesus to Earth so that he can die and absolve humanity of original sin. Focus your reading on the books of Mark, Luke, and Matthew, each of which includes detailed stories about how Jesus died on the cross and his acceptance into Heaven by God. Each of these books tells the individual Apostle’s recollection of the life of Jesus, and will help you understand who Jesus is.[5]- This is considered Jesus’s first act of “salvation,” and acts as a reminder that no matter what your sins are, Jesus can forgive them if you’re truly sorry.
Devote yourself fully to God in everything you do. Live your life with the teachings of Jesus and God in mind, which will show that you are dedicated to having a holy life. Follow the Ten Commandments, which are instructions from God about how to be a good Christian. Do your best in school, work, and other activities to bring glory to God.[6]- For example, you can do kind things for your parents in order to live out the commandment that says that you should “honor your father and mother.”
- One way to show your devotion to God is by attending an organized church service. However, if you don’t attend church, you can still be saved through Jesus.
Tip: If you’re struggling at work or in school, try discussing the issue with a pastor or spiritual guide to get a better understanding of how you can utilize Jesus’ teachings to help you stay motivated.
Be kind and respectful of other people. In every interaction, try to remain upbeat and positive, and think the best of other people. As a general rule, it’s best to treat others the way you want to be treated, and act through love. Even when someone does something that hurts your feelings or pride, remember that Jesus loved everyone, including the people who sentenced him to die on the cross.[7]- For example, if one of your friends is spreading a rumor about you, you should talk to them about what’s going on, rather than talking about them behind their back. Once you talk about the issue, you can forgive them just as Jesus forgives all sinners.
- If you’re having a particularly hard time with a conflict, try asking yourself “What would Jesus do?” to remind yourself of the forgiveness that Jesus exhibits.
Volunteer and serve your community to spread love and kindness. In your free time, do good deeds and help others without expecting anything in return, just as Jesus did in the Bible. Follow Jesus’ teachings about treating others as you would want to be treated by volunteering for those in need. These will help you maintain a positive outlook in life and can remind you how Jesus’ love can help everyone, no matter their situation in life.[8]- For example, you could volunteer weekly at a local soup kitchen or organize a community day with proceeds that benefit a local non-profit.
- Avoid talking about religion while you’re volunteering unless you’re taking part in a special mission trip through a church. Some people may not agree with your views, and you can help them whether you agree with them or not.
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Community Q&A
- QuestionHow can I be at peace within?
Community AnswerRepent, confess your sins before Him, and He will give you peace with God. Trust in Him and only Him, and He will guide you in your life. - QuestionCan I go to heaven if I've made fun of Christianity in the past?Community AnswerAbsolutely. The Apostle Paul didn't just make fun of Christianity, he persecuted and killed Christians. But when God revealed the truth to him, he repented of what he'd done and dedicated his life to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. God is faithful to forgive.
- QuestionWhat do I do about the fear of failing Christ?
Community AnswerRemember that the spirit of fear is from the enemy, so rebuke it. In God, there is no fear. Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you. Serve Him to the best of your ability.
Tips
- Remember that according to the Bible, God’s forgiveness is eternal as long as you’re truly sorry for the sins you’ve committed.Thanks
- Keep in mind that your relationship with Jesus is always a work in progress, and you won’t be guaranteed salvation unless you truly accept Him into your life and are working to get better all the time.Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about spirituality, check out our in-depth interview with Olivia Woodford.
References
- ↑ http://magazine.biola.edu/article/12-winter/why-is-jesus-christ-the-only-way-of-salvation/
- ↑ https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/april/28.100.html
- ↑ https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/april/28.100.html
- ↑ https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_salvation.htm
- ↑ https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_salvation.htm
- ↑ https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_salvation.htm
- ↑ https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_salvation.htm
- ↑ https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_salvation.htm
About This Article
To be saved through Jesus Christ, you’ll need to bring the teachings of the Bible into your life and ask for salvation through prayer. When you commit a sin, confess it through prayer so you can ask God for forgiveness. After you pray about your sin, recite a sinner’s prayer to emphasize that you’re truly sorry for your actions. You’ll also want to read about Jesus’ death on the cross to understand salvation. To truly follow the Bible, live your life with the teachings of Jesus and God in mind, which will show that you are dedicated to having a holy life. One way to do God’s work is to volunteer to serve your community. To learn how to make a plan to avoid temptation and sin, keep reading!
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