Knowing Jesus
So, what is the Bible?
The oldest part of the library of God is the 'Old Testament', have a guess at what the newest part of the Bible is called.
Click here to learn all about Jesus life...
So, what is a Christian?
The funny thing is that Jesus never taught people about being a Christian, he never even used the word 'Christian' - that's a man-made word, instead Jesus kept saying things like these:
"Follow Me"
"If you love me you will obey me"
"If anyone would come after me he must deny himself and put me first"
"I have come that they may have life and live it to the full"
"I am the Way and the Truth and the Life, no one comes to Father God except through me"
"Remain in me and I will remain in you"
In fact Jesus wasn't religious at all and he came to free people from religion, instead into relationship (or friendship) with God. So then really, a Christian is someone who really does follow Jesus and really does know God as a friend, as a real person.
So, what is religion?
There are many religions in the world because people know in their hearts that God is somewhere to be found and they think they may find him by being religious. Even many people who call themselves Christians try hard to please God by:
Owning a Bible and even occasionally reading a little of it.
Going to church at Christmas and Easter and a couple of other times in the year.
Praying when they have trouble and problems in their lives.
Giving money to charity and being kind to people.
Some people even think they are Christians because they were born in a Christian country or because they were Christened when they were babies, but Jesus never taught these things and that's important.
But children are too young to be Christians aren't they?
Not according to Jesus they aren't!
No matter how young you are or even how old you are, everyone is important and welcome in the Kingdom of God, in fact Jesus said "Let the little children come to me for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these"
Are you little? Are you a child? If you can answer "yes" to those questions, then that is very good news because God's own Kingdom is yours! If adults understood this, they may even be jealous of you!
Jesus made it perfectly clear that no one is too young to be a Christian!
Can you become a real Christian and how do you do it?
Yes you can because Jesus said "I will never under any circumstance at all, ever turn away anyone who truly comes to Me"
Reading this means you have come to Jesus already in your heart so you are very close to being the sort of Christian that Jesus taught about in the Bible.
The opposite of following Jesus is doing, thinking and being wrong and bad. This is called 'sin'. Sin is bad for us, it causes hurt and harm and even causes wars and Jesus wants to get it out of our lives so we are safe.
Getting sin out of our lives is called 'repenting' which means 'changing'; changing your mind to no longer think bad, do bad or be bad and instead choosing every day to live Jesus' way with help from God's Holy Spirit, thinking good, doing good and being good, being like Jesus.
But what happens to all the bad (sin) in my life?
The Holy Bible tells us that Jesus actually died on a wooden cross for our sins, to bring us back to God. God has punished Jesus on the cross for our sins instead of us. We have been let off and won't be in trouble with God even though we have thought and done bad things. Isn't God just so good to us?
That is why Christians celebrate and sing and talk about Jesus and the cross so much, we are just so thankful to God for Jesus.
Jesus said, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but have eternal life." (That's in the Bible in the book, 'John', chapter 3, verse 16
X:site reminds us of the place of the cross, which is the place where Jesus died so we can be friends with God forever and being let off, and no longer being in trouble for our sins, means that we are safe, or 'saved', just like when you rescue your pet from harm, or when you cross the road carefully on a proper crossing rather than on a busy roundabout! It is safe being saved and this is what real Jesus Christians know in their lives.
So, is Jesus dead then?
Jesus has now gone into heaven to prepare a place for us. Jesus said in the Bible that this is true and that we can completely rely on it; He said that if it was not true, he would not have told us about it. Jesus disciples said that Jesus has the words of eternal life!
What people do to become Jesus Christians:
If you have made up your mind to change and follow Jesus already then the next steps are just dead easy.
First, believe the Bible, especially what it says about Jesus and especially that Jesus is alive today. Believing this is called 'faith' and it is real. Jesus promised His 'Holy' Spirit will fill your life and help you follow Jesus and stay safe and saved.
If you just can't wait one more single second to be a child of Father God, then pray this prayer slowly and keep thinking about it. Read it out loud and mean it with all your heart. It isn't like making a wish because God will actually hear you!
Father God ..... I am sorry.
I have said, done and thought wrong things.
Please forgive me.
Lord Jesus ...... thank you.
You love me, you died for me, you have forgiven me.
You have given me the chance to start a brand new life.
Holy Spirit .... please fill me with your power.
Teach me how to live a life that pleases Father God.
Show me how to worship the Lord Jesus.
Lord Jesus ... I know you have always loved me and today I want to tell you that I love you.
What now?
Tell a friend, church leader, your parents about the decision you have made or email us at X:site (see the 'contact page'). It's a great idea to see if you can join a group at a local church. You should always keep learning more about being God's friend by reading God's book the Bible. It never gets boring!