Follow Jesus
For it is be grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
The decision to accept Jesus Christ as the leader of your life is the most important decision you will ever make. Whether you’re at the beginning of this spiritual journey or still searching, we want to help you out along the way. Click below for resources to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus.
If you recently made a decision to follow Jesus, Congratulations! Let us know you made this life-changing decision.
How do I begin a relationship with Jesus?
Forgiveness of our sins is a free gift from God when we accept Jesus as the one who saved us. Because Jesus took the punishment for us, we can have a fresh start, a clean slate, and a new life. We can’t earn forgiveness and we don’t deserve this gift of grace and forgiveness, but He chooses to give it to us freely.
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
If you want to begin a relationship with Jesus right now, you can talk to Him as you would a friend. Here’s an example:
Dear God,
I confess that I am a sinner and I can’t reach you on my own. I believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty for my sins and then rose from the dead. I accept your free gift of forgiveness and salvation, and I invite you to be the leader of my life. I’m turning away from doing things my own way. Please help me live my life according to your way. Thank you for your grace and forgiveness and for giving me the gift of a new life in you.
Amen.
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Congratulations!
When you receive Christ, you are born into God’s family and given the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit—which guides you and reveals God’s truth—now lives in you. You have a new relationship with God and a new future. All of Heaven is rejoicing—and we are too! Welcome to God’s family! Let us know you made this life-changing decision.
The Spirit you received does not make you
What’s next?
Deciding to follow Jesus is more than just a one-time prayer. It’s a lifelong journey of getting to know God and growing deeper in your faith. If your heart and spirit have changed, your outward actions, ambitions, and priorities will follow.
Here are some great steps you can take:
Come to church regularly
God’s truth is meant to be lived out in our lives. By regularly coming to church, you are exposing yourself to applicable biblical truth, growing deeper in your faith while connecting with other Christ followers.
Get baptized
Celebrate your new life in Christ by publicly declaring your faith through baptism. Contact us at office@forksbaptist.org or (859) 873-1967 to speak to someone about baptism.
Spend time with God daily
You will get to know God’s heart better when you connect with him through prayer and reading the Bible. Prayer is simply having a conversation with God as you would a friend. Praise Him for who He is, confess the sin in your life, thank Him for all that He has done, and ask Him for help and guidance each day. If you don’t have a Bible, let one of the staff or volunteers at Forks know! We’d love to help you get one so you start reading God’s Word.
Share your story
Tell your friends and family about your decision to follow Jesus. Share your story about the difference He’s making in your life. By doing so, you are demonstrating your new life in Christ by showing your love and concern for others. Maybe a door will open for you to invite them to church!