What Are God’s Commandments?
What are God’s commandments and how can we know them? To answer this question we must look at what the Bible says about what God desires for us.
Learn MoreHave you come to a point in your life where you want to know how to be a Christian? Or maybe you’re wondering how to be a better Christian?
The good news is that it’s not complicated!
You don’t need to go out into the desert and have some sort of mystical experience. You don’t need to hire a spiritual “guru” to give you some sort of secret spiritual knowledge. You don’t have to make a pilgrimage to a particular location, such as Jerusalem.
Everything you need to know about how to be a Christian is found in the Bible. God isn’t hiding anything from you. In fact, He wants you to know Him!
Let’s see what the Bible has to say about being a Christian.
How To Be A Christian
So what do you need to do to be a Christian? Are there certain rules you need to follow? Do you need to join a particular organization?
The wonderful news is that you don’t need to do anything to become a Christian. All that is required is that you receive the free gift of salvation from God.
In fact, there is nothing you can do to get to God.
Our sins against God cut us off from Him. He can’t allow any sin into His presence. And because God is Holy and righteous, He must punish our sins.
Romans 1:19-20 says,
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.”
The bad news is that apart from God, we are all under the wrath of God. Pastor Adrian Rogers said:
Sin is a moral affront against God; therefore, God is the one who must forgive sin. David said, “Against Thee, and Thee only, have I sinned.” We have a lot of psychological and theological garbage going around today where people say everyone is supposed to be affirmed: “I affirm you. You’re okay—I’m okay.”...We are sinners—by birth, by nature, by choice, by practice. We have morally struck and offended an infinitely holy God. He must punish sin, and we deserve punishment.
But God also deeply loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. He sent His son, Jesus, to live a sinless life and then die on the cross in your place. Jesus took the punishment for your sins as He hung on the cross. God poured out His wrath on Jesus, punishing Him for the sins that you committed.
When you believe in Jesus as your Savior, God forgives all your sins and credits the perfect righteousness of Jesus to you. He looks at you as if you have never sinned and have always perfectly obeyed.
Pastor Adrian Rogers said:
"Our righteousness does not come by works. It is an imputed righteousness (see Romans 4:21-25). Imputed means to place on your account. It’s like going to a department store and instead of telling them you want to charge your purchase; you tell them you want to impute it. It means the same thing to put on your account. When God looks at the ledger of our lives, He sees red not in a bad way, but a good way. He sees the red, righteous, royal blood of His Son credited to our account and we are declared righteous before Him!"
If you want to be a Christian, all you need to do is pray to God and put your hope in Jesus Christ to save you from your sins. Salvation is a gift to be received, not something to be earned.
Romans 10:9-10 says,
“...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
It’s really that simple. The moment you believe in Christ for salvation, you are a Christian. You are fully accepted by God and are His child. All your sins are forgiven and you have eternal life. You can rejoice in the gift you have been given!
Helpful Tools and Resources on Christian Priorities
God’s Desires For You: A Biblical Guide
What are God’s desires for us? The good news is that the Bible makes it very clear what God wants of us.
How To Be A Growing Christian
Now let’s talk about how to be a growing Christian. Now, just so we’re clear, becoming a “better Christian” doesn’t make you more acceptable to or loved by God. You are already completely accepted in Christ, and growing as a Christian doesn’t earn you more favor from God.
With that being said, let’s look at some practical ways to grow.
Read and Obey God’s Word
The Bible is God’s word, and in it we learn about God. We learn what God’s desires are and how to walk in ways that please Him.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
If you want to grow as a Christian, spend time regularly reading the Bible and seeking to do what it says. If you consistently do this, you’ll begin to see your life be transformed. As Pastor Adrian Rogers put it:
For the Bible to become a living, breathing, life-giving reality for you, you must assimilate it. You don't just read a cookbook, you eat the meal. If you don't assimilate it, no matter how much you appreciate it, what good is it? And with the Bible, it means that you are to take it into your mind, to thoroughly comprehend it, to use it as nourishment for your mind and heart.
Pray
In addition to regularly reading the Bible, seek to pray to God consistently. Your prayers don’t need to be long or fancy. God is your Father, and prayer allows you to commune with Him. Tell Him what’s on your heart and lay your needs and desires before Him.
Philippians 4:6-7 says:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
When you pray, you’re inviting God into the nitty-gritty details of your life. He loves you and knows exactly what you need. He is on your side and will act to answer your prayers.
Serve
Jesus came as a servant, and we are to imitate His example. We are called to lay our lives down for others and to seek the good of others above our own.
In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus said:
You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many
Greatness in God’s eyes doesn’t come from trying to elevate yourself above others. Rather, it’s the result of lowering yourself and looking to serve others.
Community
God never intended for you to live the Christian life on your own. You need other Christians to help you and encourage you and walk alongside you.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says:
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
If you want to grow as a Christian, you need to regularly be with other Christians who will encourage you in your faith. This is why being part of a church is so important.
Onward and Upward
God desires that you would know Him and be growing in your faith. There will be times in your Christian life when you stumble and fall. There will be times when you don’t feel as strong. Even in those times, God loves you and is for you. He is with you even when you are at your weakest and lowest.
Proverbs 24:16 says,
“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.”
If you fall, it’s not the end. Get back up and keep following the Lord. Don’t give up. God is with you and will continue to help you grow in Him.
More Helpful Tools and Resources on Christian Priorities
What Is God’s Plan For Me?
You might be thinking, What is God's plan for me? The good news is that He has one. We’re going to see what the Bible has to say about God’s plan for you.
Learn MoreWhat Is The Essence Of The Christian Life?
Everyone has a different answer, but what does God say about a Christian life? That’s what matters most. To answer that question we need to look to the Bible.
Learn More
