'Christian' is a derivative of the word Christ, just like 'Nigerian' is coined from the word Nigeria. When we view 'Christian' from this perspective of an adjective describing someone, it clears a lot of doubts about its authenticity and exposes the hypocrisy of some who profess Christianity but are not true Christians. In a sense we all agree that Christianity is a religion; anyone can select Christianity as their religion when filling out a form. But Christianity is actually bigger than religion, it is a way of life. It is higher than culture, it is a relationship with God our Creator. Further, Christianity is bigger than an association, it is life in the family of God. Anyone can become a child of God through belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God for his sins. 

If you take an honest look at yourself (thoughts, desires, deeds, imaginations, etc.), you will realize that you are naturally more prone to doing wrong things. You are not very proud of the life you live but somehow you have not been able to change, you keep doing the same wrong things (sins) even though you wish to be a better person. I want you to know that you are not alone in this. Another man expressed his frustration in the Bible thus I don't understand myself at all, I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hated (Romans 7:15). This is the situation with everyone who is not a Christian. 

So how do I become a Christian?

To become a Christian, you must believe and confess the following:

1. that you are a sinner and that you cannot help yourself out of it. You need Jesus to help you. 
2. that the punishment for all your sins has been paid for by the death of Jesus on the cross
3. that God no longer holds your sins against you, even though you yourself may still remember them and feel bad about them. God has forgiven you! 
4. that you believe God has forgiven you and invite Jesus to take over your life

If you have carefully considered the above and desire to become a Christian, kindly say this prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and that I cannot help myself out of it. I believe that the death you died on the Cross was to pay for my sins. I accept your forgiveness of my sins. This day, I declare before the heavens and the earth that I am a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ. I denounce every covenant, commitment or affiliation I may have had with the devil. I invite the Holy Spirit of God to possess me henceforth so that I may do the will of God alone. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

If you have said this prayer sincerely, then you have become a Christian. You have been born again; you are a newborn child in the family of God. 

What sign will I feel in my body to make me know that I am born again in Christ?

You may not feel any sign in your body. However, gradually as you continue to grow in your walk with God through prayer, Bible study and regular meetings with other Christians, your heart will desire to do God’s will more and more. You will feel very bad anytime you mistakenly do something wrong. People around you will notice a positive change in your character. 

Now that I am Born Again, what should I do next? 

Just as with human families, a newborn will have to learn gradually the family tradition, which for the family of God in which you have now been born include Bible study, prayer, regular meetings with other Christians and evangelism. You will need to connect with other Christians who will teach you how to pray, guide you to study the Bible and help you to grow in the knowledge of God and also how to tell others about Jesus. In essence, you will need to identify with a Christian church near you where you will learn more about following Jesus. If you cannot find a church near you or cannot decide on which of the churches to identify with, kindly contact us through email at youthalivemag.editors@gmail.com for guidance.  

This article is a follow up on an earlier article titled Overcome the fear of exams published on our website. Click here to read it.