Who is Jesus?
How Do I know Him?
We'll be honest: to plumb the depths and scale the heights of His love, to explore the furthest reaches of His grace - this is an adventure that will occupy a lifetime. There's nothing quick and easy about accepting the challenge to follow His call. And yet getting started is really very simple - as simple as uttering an honest and heartfelt prayer.
It begins with an acknowledgment of your need. The self-sufficient think they have no use for a Savior. Jesus Himself said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mark 2:17). If you recognize your own deficiency, if you can see places where the disease of sin has established a hold over your life, you're already headed in the right direction.
The next step is to confess that need and ask for the Lord's help. Will He answer? If you doubt it, consider this: He has already died to pay the penalty for your sin. He has "wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, having nailed it to the cross" (Colossians 2:14). What's more, He promises to answer: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).
If this is the desire of your heart, try talking to God in simple words like these: "Father, I know that I've sinned against You and that I need Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again for me. I want you to come into my life, wash me clean, and make me completely Your own. Thank you for hearing my prayer."
If you've prayed that prayer - or one like it - you're a member of God's family: "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" (Romans 10:9). Now there's just one more thing to do: get involved with your brothers and sisters! Find a local church, Bible study, or Christian support group where you can study God's Word and grow in fellowship with other believers. And remember - the adventure is just beginning!
I'm there, and want to follow Jesus, what do I do next?
First of all, congratulations! You have just made one of the biggest decisions of your life! It is important to celebrate what God has done. After the celebration, you should consider how you intend to grow in your new faith. Getting connected in a local church is one of the biggest things you can do to help you on your journey. Next, make sure you have a translation of the Bible that you can understand. Then, when you are ready, you should consider making your decision public by observing Baptism. The combination of these three things should get you well on your way to living like Jesus.