If you’ve been going to church or meeting with a mentor, you may be ready for your “faith moment” – that defining moment when you personally make a decision to trust Jesus and become a Christian. This lesson will help you get to that faith moment in your journey with God, offering a simple “sinner’s prayer” at the bottom of this post. But before we get to that, let’s make sure you understand faith.
Faith Is Like a Two-Sided Coin
Remember that genuine saving faith has two inseparable elements like a coin has two inseparable sides. First, you must have the right information about yourself and Jesus. Remember that your problem is sin and your solution is Jesus. If you don’t understand those fundamental concepts, be sure to talk about it more with a group or mentor.
Second, you must have the right attitude toward yourself and Jesus. Gathering the right information is only the first step. Without what the Bible calls “repentance” – a change of attitude toward God and a willingness to go his way – you cannot be saved. The attitude of faith says, “I recognize I’m wrong, and I want to go God’s way now (Acts 2:37-38).” If you are not genuinely broken with a deep sorrow for your sin and a desire to make it right with God, you’re not ready to move forward with your faith moment.
Faith Changes Your Past, Present, and Future
The moment you turn to Christ in faith, everything changes. Your faith moment is your life’s defining moment. In an instant, your past is forgiven – no matter who you are or what you’ve done (Romans 3:22). In that same moment, your present is transformed, because by faith you are given the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). And your future is promised – an eternity with Christ that is based on his unfailing righteousness, not on your own ability to do good works. The Bible says that at the moment of salvation your sins are forgiven and your identity is changed. It doesn’t take a lifetime of good works to be made right with God; it happens in a single moment.
But remember that your faith moment is the start of a new life, not just the end of an old life. Once you trust Jesus for salvation, you can move on to honor God with your new choices and even help others through mentoring. This is called “Full Circle” Christianity, and it all starts with your faith moment.
Faith Is a Personal Decision Only You Can Make
Every individual is given the gracious offer to trust Jesus for salvation. No one can choose for you, and no one can force you to choose. The “faith moment” is a lot like the life-changing “I do” moment on a wedding day. In marriage, the husband says, “I take this woman to be my wife.” In faith, the new believer says, “I take Jesus to be my Lord and Savior”.
Romans 10:9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
The moment you turn to God in genuine faith and receive the gift that Christ offers you, you will be saved. But it’s your responsibility alone to make the decision and declare Jesus to be Lord of your life. If you’re ready for your faith moment today, pray a prayer like the one below. Do it with a friend or mentor, and then continue to pursue God together, one topic at a time.
“Jesus, I recognize I’m a sinner. I know that you died on the cross and rose from the dead so that I could have life. I’m turning from my sin now, and I’m turning to you in faith. I trust in you alone to forgive my sin and give me new life. Thank you for this free gift. Amen.”
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Do you have any questions about Jesus that are keeping you from putting your faith in him? Make a list and talk about each one.
- Describe the “attitude of faith” in your own words. Is that your attitude toward Jesus? Explain.
- Read Romans 3:22. Do you believe that verse applies to you? Why or why not?
- Have you ever prayed the sinner’s prayer (see above)? If so, when? If not, do you want to do it today?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
