How to Become Alive In Christ

Author: Michael Gott

I often talk with people who are honestly confused. One person said to me: “Without using religious words that I do not understand, can you tell me in simple and plain words how to know God?”

I told him what I tell you, simply this: As you welcome a friend into your home, welcome Jesus Christ to come into your life forever.

Many of you want to know that you have eternal life, that your sins are forgiven and that you will one day be with Him. This is not strange or new, for these were the very same issues people discussed with Jesus over 2,000 years ago. Do not be surprised that you ask the very question asked by the young man who ran and knelt before Him saying,

“What shall I do to get to heaven?”  Mark 10:17

Yours is like the question asked by an Ethiopian civil servant to an evangelist named Philip in the Gaza strip in the land of the Bible. He admitted he did not understand and asked,

How can I when there is no one to instruct me?   Acts 8:31

Later he said,

Why can't I . . .?   Acts 8:36

Those may be your thoughts, or yours may be the exact question asked by the jailer of two Christian witnesses in jail in Philippi at midnight,

“. . . what must I do to be saved?”   Acts 16:30

The evangelist in the desert and those in the jail gave an answer so simple that it is amazing—in fact, so simple and plain, some are offended. The evangelist said, “You can . . . if you believe with all your heart,” and the man in the desert replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And in the jail they replied to the question,

Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved . . .   Acts 16:31

The point is that this wonderful new life can happen now. God does not put you on a long probation saying, straighten out your life, drop that evil habit, and then I will accept you. Rather, believe on the Lord Jesus with the attitude that you are willing for Him to make you into a new person. Say to Him, “I am willing for You to take away from my life all bad things—I want to be a new person created by You.”

We are never told to convert ourselves or to regenerate ourselves or to earn forgiveness but to turn to Jesus wholeheartedly calling on the name of the Lord. God, in fact, helps you turn to Him. In that moment we are given true repentance and living faith. Let the Bible guide you. It says the Lord

generously gives his riches to all those who ask him for them. Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.   Romans 10:12-13

For the Scripture tells us that no one who believes in Christ will ever be disappointed. (Read Romans 10)

Jesus said,

Unless you are converted, you too will all perish.    Luke 13:3

The word converted is sometimes translated “unless you turn” or “unless you repent.” True turning to God involves not only simple faith but sincere repentance. Repentance involves recognition of sin which produces separation from God as well as personal guilt. It means we admit the truth about ourselves and pray the simple prayer Jesus spoke of

God, be merciful to me, a sinner.   Luke 18:13,

Our emotions and feelings are involved. The Bible speaks of godly sorrow and it says it is what God intended before joy comes to us.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.    II Corinthians 7:9-10

So there is in repentance a changed attitude, a change of feelings, and a desire to be clean before God.

The emphasis must be this; you and I have to be willing, and God will help us. There is a simple saying: The way up is down. When we humble ourselves before Him—He lifts us up. There is an old saying: Lay yourself at His feet, and He will take you in His arms!

I spoke of faith—yes, believe in the Lord Jesus with the understanding that it is not a great faith that saves you but a great Savior. Never say, “I do not have enough faith,” for the Bible never does. Instead, put what faith you have in Christ. Respond to Him by receiving and trusting Him. Even a weak, trembling hand can receive a valuable gold coin. He gives us salvation. We simply receive it as a gift.

In the New Testament faith is never plural; in other words, believing a great number of things. It is always singular; that is, it is a heart response to only one—Jesus Christ Himself. We are not told to believe in belief—we believe in the person of the Lord Jesus. Faith is a response of my whole self to Him. This includes all I know of me responding to all I know of Him.

God helps us step by step, and we may not understand everything fully, yet we have confidence. So that, my will comes in line with God's will, and I sincerely say, “Yes,” to Him. Almost the last word in the Bible is a great invitation to us.

Come. Let the thirsty one come—anyone who wants to; let him come and drink the water of life without charge.     Revelation 22:17

Therefore, willingly and personally accept God's invitation and believe His promise without doubt. God is a God of mercy and love and grace—He invites you. Respond from your heart.

Remember Jesus' great statement,

"some will come to me . . . and I will never, never reject them . . . it is not the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me . . . for it is my Father's will that everyone who sees his Son and believes on him should have eternal life . . .”     John 6:37, 39-40

So that

. . . as many as received him, to them gave he the power [right] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.   John 1:12

Now—it is very important that you realize now is the time! In fact, the Bible says those very words.

. . . the doors of welcome were wide open . . . at this moment God is ready to welcome you, today he is ready to save you.   II Corinthians 6:2

So that, now is the acceptable time.

For us to say “someday” is a polite but rebellious way of saying “no day.” We must realize God says “today”!

Open the door of your life to Him. Remember, as you would receive a friend into your home, with the same spirit welcome Jesus to become at home in your heart.

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