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Palos Verdes Baptist Church
  • Home/
  • About Us/
    • Our Worship
    • Our Story
    • Our Purpose
    • Our Staff
    • Our Missionaries & Supports
    • Our Statement of Faith
    • Our Statement of Lifestyle
  • Ministries/
    • Children
    • Youth
    • College
    • Young Adults
    • Small Groups
    • Missions
  • Resources/
    • Sermons
    • Sunday Service Archive
    • FORMS
    • What it Means to be a Christian
    • “The Road to Joy” Devotional
  • Worship/
  • Giving/
  • Calendar/
  • Contact Us/
Palos Verdes Baptist Church

Changed Lives Changing Lives

What it Means to be a Christian

Palos Verdes Baptist Church
  • Home/
  • About Us/
    • Our Worship
    • Our Story
    • Our Purpose
    • Our Staff
    • Our Missionaries & Supports
    • Our Statement of Faith
    • Our Statement of Lifestyle
  • Ministries/
    • Children
    • Youth
    • College
    • Young Adults
    • Small Groups
    • Missions
  • Resources/
    • Sermons
    • Sunday Service Archive
    • FORMS
    • What it Means to be a Christian
    • “The Road to Joy” Devotional
  • Worship/
  • Giving/
  • Calendar/
  • Contact Us/

What does it mean to be a Christian?

Very simply, it means to be the person whom God created you to be! It means being right with our loving Creator through faith in Jesus Christ. It means having a God-given purpose for this life and an eternal hope for the life hereafter. It means real joy, peace and love.

Why should I care?

Everyone wants to enjoy life and have hope for life after death, and that only comes through Jesus Christ. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Sin keeps us from being right with God, no matter how good we try to be. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

As a result we are eternally alienated (separated) from God.  “For the wages of sin is death...” (Romans 6:23).

So what’s the good news?

God loves us and wants us to be right with Him.  “See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children” (1 John 3:1).

God made us right with Him through Jesus Christ, who died to pay the penalty for our sin.  “God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him” (1 John 4:9).

How do I become a Christian?

Admit your sins.  That means you confess that you have not and cannot meet God’s high standards for right living.

Believe in Jesus.  That means you believe that Jesus is Lord, who died on the cross for your sins and came back to life.

Commit to living for Jesus.  Turn your back on your selfish ways and follow after Him.

So what should I do?

You can simply pray this in your heart to God:  “Dear God, I believe that you sent Jesus to die for me and my sins, in order to make me right with you.  I know I have sinned, and I ask you to forgive me.  I want to leave my selfish ways and live for you.  Help me to grow and mature into the person you want me to be. Thank you Lord.  Amen!”

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