How to Become a Christ Follower

Author: Michael Gott

Always, humans have a tendency to complicate things, especially anything about God. But amazingly the way to become a Christ follower—some people use the word Christian—is so simple that many people are even offended! They say, “It cannot be that simple,” and look for something more complicated and difficult.

Simplicity and undeserved love actually offend human nature because we have a tendency to want to earn certain rights and privileges with God. It is called human merit, and depending on that actually keeps us from a right relationship with Him. But in reality God makes it so simple and so plain that anyone can understand; for example, using only the first four letters of the English alphabet — A, B, C, D.

Let me show you — I’ll emphasize the first four letters of the alphabet and suggest a word that begins with each letter. Here it is:

Admit. That is, at this moment I do not have a living personal relationship with Christ. To know about Him is not the same as knowing Him. Furthermore, I have broken a relationship; that is, like all other people I have sinned.

Naturally, all of us are traveling on our own self centered path that leads away from God. Therefore, each of us needs to turn, to experience a radical change called in the Bible repentance. Not only do we need a new path but also a new power. How else can we stop doing wrong things? These wrong thoughts and actions control us far more than we would ever imagine. They enslave us. According to Jesus we need to break with this kind of life. We must admit that we cannot do it—we need God’s power.

Believe. We must believe that there is a God who cares about us and believe that we are important to Him. He, in love, seeks to bring us to Himself. He did that by sending Jesus to our planet. Jesus died purposefully, and on the cross He took on Himself all our sins and guilt. When He arose from the dead, He proved His death for us was acceptable to God and that He was victorious over evil, so by trusting Him, we too would conquer death.

After His death He said, “I have overcome, and you too will overcome,” which means I will share with Him that total victory, and I will be with Him forever. To be a Christian, I must believe in Jesus and fully embrace for my life all He said.

Consider. I must be fully aware that if I follow Christ openly, it may cost me. Jesus did not hide the cost of following Him and the discipline required. He demands to be first in my life and that I openly announce that I am a Christ follower.

There is a call to be like He, and I must be willing to have Him change my life. I must understand the Bible is needed for instruction and the church is needed for partnership with others. I must spend time learning to live His way. Prayer, study, worship, selfless service, and open witnessing of Him are all included if I faithfully follow Him. This is the meaning of discipleship. The word “disciple” means one who learns from another.

Do. Having come to a place of understanding, I must now ask Him to fully come into my life. Because He died, He purchased my salvation with His blood, and yet because He is risen and is alive, He has the right to be Lord of my life. He says we are to receive Him or ask Him to permanently come into our lives. This must be a specific moment of what is called a spiritual birth. It is not a great faith that saves you but a great Savior. Simply ask Him in faith into your life; He promises He will come in if you wholeheartedly welcome Him. Do that now in a way you can never forget.

Finally, a warning. Until this is done, you are unforgiven and without eternal life. Remember, you are either in or out! There is no middle ground. Jesus said, “he that is not with me is against me,” and the Bible says, “. . . those who don’t trust Him have already been tried and condemned for not believing in the only son of God.” (John 3:18)

But let us end with a great and powerful promise, “. . . all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust him to save them. All those who believe this are reborn!” (John 1:12-13)

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