The entire storyline of the Bible is built around the answer to this question.

While there are many questions in life we don’t know, the answer to this question is supremely clear.

From beginning to end, the Bible is all about Jesus. Jesus came to show us what God is like.

What makes Jesus so unique compared to every other religion, is that Jesus came to sacrifice himself for people, not the other way around.

Jesus chose to come down from heaven and live a fully human life. The Bible is clear that in addition to being fully God, he was also fully human and he was born as a baby, which we celebrate at Christmas.

As Jesus grew up, he lived perfectly and without regret. The Bible is clear and our own life experiences shows us that we all have flaws and have hurt ourselves and most likely others as well, which separates us from a God who is perfect.

But while he lived as fully human Jesus Christ was unique in that he lived perfectly. He lived life fully honoring God, in perfect obedience to God’s way of life.

Not only did Jesus live a perfect life, but after three years of teaching, training, and even healing people, he allowed himself to be arrested and handed over to his enemies. He chose not to fight back or state his case, but instead received the death penalty for false accusations and crimes he didn’t commit. He did this so that in his unjust death, he could take God’s punishment for every injustice committed by humanity.

After dying on the cross, Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb. However the story doesn’t end there. After being buried in a tomb, three days later, Jesus was raised to life again by God’s power. He appeared to his friends and crowds of over 500 people at once, proving he was the Son of God, confirming everything he had taught.

This affects us today, because if you choose to believe Jesus and the work he accomplished, you get the benefit of his perfect life. You’re also free from the justice of God and punishment deserved from anything wrong you’ve done, no matter how bad. Because of Jesus, we can be free from God’s justice, because Jesus himself paid for us, if we choose to trust in him.

Making a decision to follow Jesus means you recognize who Jesus is and what he has done for you. It means having the self-awareness and humility to realize that on your own, you don’t meet God’s perfect standard for living, and you accept Jesus’ work for you, on your behalf.

The decision to believe in Jesus is not one to be taken lightly. In fact Jesus told people to count the cost of following him. Jesus absolutely transforms the way we live, our values, and our purpose in life as we live out God’s radical love for people.

In making the decision to follow Jesus, you are acknowledging that he is God and you are not. Choosing Jesus means placing him above all else in life, and in fact is the only way to live the full life you were created for.

When you make the decision to follow Jesus, God promises to send his Spirit to come and empower you, guide you, and teach you. You also become part of his global church family that is pursuing help and helping others do the same.

If you are ready to make a decision to follow Jesus, here’s how.

How do you trust in Jesus? You can do it right now, wherever you’re reading this.

You can pray a simple prayer to God acknowledging that what he says is true:

God I know I’ve lived apart from you. I want to receive your grace because of Jesus. I believe that you sent Jesus, and that he has paid for all the wrong things I’ve done so I don’t have to pay. I confess that I have done wrong and have broken your standard of perfect living. I believe in Jesus and accept his work on my behalf. Please help me to follow you with my whole life and help me share the love I have found in you.

If this prayer reflects your sincere heart to follow Jesus and obey him, then you have become a Christian. There’s nothing magic about these specific words, they merely reflect a life that is honest and humble before God.

We’d love to encourage you and congratulate you as you begin your new life with Jesus.

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