Christianity is more than a decision to accept Christ as Savior.

Accepting the saving grace of Jesus Christ is the first step in what is intended to be a life-long walk with God. It takes care of the “sin problem” so that a real relationship with Holy God is possible. What follows is an on-going adventure of growing, learning, loving, and sharing life.  

God will lead you to wonderful experiences and insights along the way. His Holy Spirit and his Word (the Bible) will shape your character and conduct to be like his, but God’s primary desire is always relationship. He wants you to know him, love him, talk with him, and enjoy him. He has made it possible to spend eternity with him, and that eternity can begin right now!

There is much to learn about Christ and his ways, but the “irreducible core” of Christianity can be summed up in the following scriptures. Real Christianity, no matter what denomination or label you attach to it, will be no less than this:

John 3:16-18 “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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In these scriptures are the core principles of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

• Trust that God loves you and made provision for your salvation through Jesus.
• Love God with all that you are.
• Love others as you love yourself.
• As you go, make more followers of Jesus (disciples), knowing that He is with you.

No matter what else God may lead you into, these principles will always be at the forefront. Have you put your faith in Jesus for salvation? How are you loving God? How are you loving others? And how are you contributing to the effort to make disciples? Remember, this is not to earn salvation, but to honor our Savior!

If you would like grow in your relationship with Jesus, PRAISE THE LORD! Our pastoral staff would love to help you in your walk of faith. Use the Contact Us form to connect with us.