North Highlands Bible Church » How to Become a Christian

How to Become a Christian

I can make my way to heaven by doing good things, right?

Many people assume they can earn their way to heaven by doing good things. Their thinking goes something like this:

"When I die God will weigh my good deeds against my bad deeds, and if I have done more good things than bad, then I will be allowed to enter heaven."

However, Christianity is not about what we do, but about what Christ has done. Below is a summary of what the Bible says about how we can be sure we are going to heaven when we die.

God has generously told us about His love in the Bible

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

God's desire is to bless your life and make it full, meaningful, and complete. And He wants to give you purpose in living today plus the hope of eternal life when your life on earth is completed.

But, all of us are sinful people

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

You may have heard someone say, "I'm only human—nobody's perfect." This Bible verse says the same thing: We are all sinners. We all do things that we know are wrong. And that's why we feel separated from God—because God is holy and good, and we are not.

There is a penalty for our sin

"For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

We must pay the wage for our sin. If you continue to sin, you will pay the penalty of spiritual death: You will not only die physically; you will also die spiritually and be separated from our holy God for all eternity in hell.

Christ has paid our penalty!

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

God tells us that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, has paid the penalty for all your sins. You may think you have to lead a good life and do good deeds before God will love you. But the Bible says that Christ loved you enough to die for you, even when you live a life that is against the will of God.

Salvation is a free gift

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

You do not have to work for a gift. It is the same with God's offer of forgiveness. All you have to do is joyfully receive it. Believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ died for you.

You must receive Him

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Romans 10:9).

You receive the forgiveness of God by simply admitting your sin and believing by faith that Christ died for your sin and was raised again three days later. It is very simple, not a miracle formula or magic prayer, but a genuine heart of faith in the forgiveness of God through Christ.

So where do you stand?

If you are making a commitment to Christ today or you have further questions about Jesus Christ, please let us know at and we will send you some material that will help you develop your new relationship (and friendship) with God. We won't spam you or sell your e-mail address. We just want to be able to help you. Let us know how.