Congratulations

The decision you’ve made to become a follower of Jesus Christ is the most important decision of your life. God created you with a purpose and that purpose begins with knowing Him. You may not be completely sure what happened when you decided to follow Jesus or what you should do now. There are probably a million questions running through your mind. This booklet will answer some of those questions and help you get on the right track in your new Christian life.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

— 2 Corinthians 5:17

Following Jesus is both a one-time decision and a life long process. God wants you to have a meaningful life, in relationship with Him through His son, Jesus. But He doesn’t force that desire on you. He gives you a choice. You can choose to live according to His plan, or you can choose to go your own way. If you choose to say “no” to God - if you decide to live life on your own terms - that decision separates you from Him. Not only is refusing God a result of sinful nature, it is sin itself.

On your own, there is nothing you can do to bring yourself into a right relationship with God. Good works won’t do it. Religion won’t do it. Morality won’t do it. Neither will money philosophy, knowledge, nor science. For centuries, seekers have tried all of these paths with little success.

Take note of the story told by the following verses:

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. — Proverbs 14:12

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

— Romans 5:8

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity— the man Christ Jesus.

— 1 Timothy 2:5

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

— 1 Peter 3:18

You have taken a big step by coming to the point of realization that Jesus is the mediator who restores your relationship with God. You have prayed and asked Jesus to be the leader and director of your life. You’ve asked Him to forgive you for all the ways you’ve sinned against Him while living life on your own terms and you’ve committed to becoming more like Him. The very moment you asked Jesus to come into your life, He did.

Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness.

The process of becoming a fully developing follower of Jesus is ongoing. There are tools to help you get started on this path - tools to help you better understand the decision you’ve made and to help you grow in your faith. In the following pages, you’ll nd:

• The story of how I became a Christ-follower • An explanation of your ve Next Steps • CLC’s Statement of Beliefs • The Gospel of John reading plan to help you get started

The Bible says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and come into your life, then according to God Himself, you are a new creation! As of right now, real life starts. Anything prior to knowing Jesus was simply existing, but knowing God and walking with Him is really living. Welcome to the journey...