What does it mean to give your life to Christ?
Christians always talk about a new life, but what does that really mean? For years, I was a pastor's child who knew scripture and bible verses but didn’t know Jesus. Here’s why I had to go on my own journey and find out what really it means to give your life to Christ and why it matters.
Knowing about Christ, but not knowing Him
I was born into a Christian family. My dad is a pastor and growing up, attending church was compulsory. I went every weekend and listened to the sermons, even though most times, I understood nothing.
I can remember knowing about Christ. I’d heard him preached all my life basically but I still felt so distant. Nobody knew it, but growing up, I hated myself so much. I hated my face. I hated my body. I just felt ugly and I wanted to hide at home. I was socially awkward and I was emotionally abused by people I considered friends. My anxiety was always through the roof because I was scared of socialising.
Things got a little bit better when I started university. I met new people that liked me. It wasn't long before I found myself becoming a people pleaser. I lied to them about things so they could like me more and I just tried so hard to fit in. Looking back, my life was a total mess.
I can remember this lingering feeling like something was missing. I kept telling myself "I was too young" to be a “proper Christian”. I wanted to ‘enjoy’ life. Funny enough, I told myself that I would become a “good Christian” once I got married. This, I now know, is a very useless lie. You don’t even know what tomorrow holds. Today is the right time.
Coming to know Christ and to serve Him
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal savior in the beginning of 2020. 1 John 1:9 tells us that we can receive Christ when we confess our sins before Him, repent and ask for forgiveness. We have to believe in the bible and in who Jesus says He is. I won’t tell you that it’s been a straightforward journey. Like for most people, 2020 was really crazy and my faith was tested countless times. I’ve fallen into temptation, I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve had good seasons and bad ones, but no matter how hard it gets, I know I never want to go back to the world.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Giving your life to Christ is about making Jesus your Lord and serving Him by obeying His word. Our minds and hearts must be renewed and this starts when we allow the Holy Spirit into our lives. We have to make an effort to read the word, pray, and surround ourselves with other believers. It’s a journey and not an overnight change. Temptations will come but falling into sin does not mean that God hates us. It shows that we are human and need more of Him. Instead of sin making us run away from God, it should make us run towards Him.
In Christ, I’ve found peace. I used to struggle so much with anxiety and depression. I hated how I looked and I just wanted to hide in my home but now, I see myself the way Jesus sees me. I am beautiful even with my imperfections and I am loved. I won't lie and say that I don’t get scared at all anymore but there is a huge difference in my life. Now, I am comforted because I know that someone is working for my good and all these problems will definitely not last forever.
Will you accept Jesus today?
God's love is so pure and beautiful. With humans, our love is temporary and flawed. It can fade away especially when people do things that they don’t like, but with God, we might fall a hundred times, but He will still love us. God's love doesn’t care who you’ve been, what you’ve done, or who you were, it accepts you wholeheartedly.
The bible tells us that God so loved the world that He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16), giving all who would accept this sacrifice, the gift of eternal life.
If you’re reading this and you would like to accept Jesus as your personal savior, you can pray the below:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer and would like help on your journey then please reach out to your local church family or the team at Femelle Soul team for support! We are so happy that you desire to know Christ and pray that He would come into your heart and change your life forever!
Blog Written By Esther
Coming to know Christ changed my life. I went from living a lie, growing up with hatred in my heart to finding peace, joy, and happiness. I live for Him alone now and I write for his glory!