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What can
I expect if I become a Christian?
Like anything you do, you should count the cost before you commit to
something. You should know what to expect if you become a Christian. It
isn't always easy. The Lord calls us to integrity, honesty,
faithfulness, truthfulness, etc. In a world of moral relativism such
absolute qualities do not fit well. It can cost you.
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. He is persistent.
He won't give up and sometimes that repentance can be difficult,
especially if He brings you to confess your sins to others and make
things right.
You must understand that if you become a Christian you
are no longer your own. You have given yourself to the Lord and He takes
that commitment very seriously. He will not leave you in your sins. He
will work in you and gradually bring you to a new place in your life. He
will work bad habits and bad things out of you over the rest of your
life. Of course, this does not mean that you will become perfect.
It means that God will work in your heart to make you more like Jesus.
You can expect this, because God is living in the heart of all who have
received Christ (John 1:12;
14:23). This is because Christians
experience the very presence of God and God is holy.
Being saved is easy. You just trust in what the Lord
Christ has done, receive Him as savior, ask Him to forgive you of your
sins, and trust in nothing else (including your own "good works") for
your place in heaven. Getting saved is easy. The hard part
is what follows after you become a Christian when the Lord comes to live
in you and then begins to work change in you -- for the better. Sometimes
it is quite difficult but other times it is very rewarding.
God will accept you just as you are, but He will not
leave you as you are.
So, if you want to become a 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. This is what you can expect, but it is
worth it.
One last thing
There is one final expectation that you should be aware of if you become
a Christian: salvation. In other words, you'll escape the righteous
judgment of God. Eternal hell is what awaits those who fail to trust in
what Christ has done on the cross. Being a Christian means that you have
escaped that judgment. This, of course, is the greatest benefit for you.
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