What can I expect if I become a Christian?
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Matt Slick of www.carm.org explains what someone can expect if he or she becomes a Christian.
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- Like anything you do, you should count the costs before you commit to doing it. You should know what to expect if you become a
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- Christian. Now, let me tell you, it isn't always easy. The Lord calls us to integrity, to honesty, faithfulness, truthfulness.
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- In a world of moral relativism, such absolute qualities do not fit very well, and so it can cost you.
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- Also, if you become a Christian and then continue to live in sinful ways, the Holy Spirit will gently and convincingly prod your heart and bring you to a place of repentance.
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- He is very persistent. He won't give up, and sometimes that repentance can be quite difficult, especially if He brings you to confess your sins to others and make things right.
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- You must understand that if you become a Christian, you are no longer your own. You have given yourself to the
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- Lord, and He takes that commitment very seriously. He will not leave you in your sins. He will work in you, and He will gradually bring you to a new place in your life.
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- He will work bad habits out of you, and bad things, He'll take care of them, but He'll take the rest of your life.
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- Of course, this does not mean that you'll become perfect. It does mean that God will work in your heart to make you more like Jesus.
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- You can expect this, because God is living in the heart of all who have received Christ. That's John 1 .12,
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- John 14 .23. This is because Christians experience the very presence of God, and God is holy.
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- Being saved is easy. You just trust in what the Lord Christ has done, receive Him as your Savior, ask
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- Him to forgive you of your sins, and trust in nothing else, including your own good works. You trust Him for your place in heaven.
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- Getting saved is easy. The hard part is what follows after you become a Christian, when the
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- Lord comes to you and lives in you, and then begins to work changes in you. These changes are for the better.
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- Remember, they're not always all that comfortable, but it's good. But sometimes, these difficult things have their own rewards.
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- God will accept you just as you are, but He will not leave you as you are. So if you want to become a
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- Christian, expect your life to change. Expect that you will end up with different friends, and be prepared to find that many of your old habits and desires will also change.
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- This is what you can expect, but it's worth it. There is one final expectation that you should be aware of if you become a
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- Christian. Salvation. In other words, you'll escape the righteous judgment of God.
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- Eternal hell is what awaits all who fail to trust in what Christ has done on the cross. Being a
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- Christian means that you've escaped that judgment. This, of course, is the greatest benefit for you.