I received a nice letter from a young lady who asked a very important question:
Dear Brother Ollison,
I have never met you, but I know who you are. I believe you can help me with my question. I have been wanting to know how I can be a Christian so I will go to heaven someday. My real mother is there and I know she was a Christian. Everyone tells me to listen in church, but I get so confused.
The preachers talk about what to do when you are a Christian, but I want to know how to be one. Can you tell me?
Yes I can! Becoming a Christian is not difficult. It’s not my intention to give you a formula, but in order to keep things orderly, I’m going to list the requirements.
First, you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that God raised Him from the dead. This is the basis of our Christian faith.
One thing to remember here is that Jesus was not created by God and sent to the earth as a man. Jesus has always existed with God and in actuality is a part of God.
In the book of John, chapter one, it says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
Second, you must repent of your sins. Repent means to turn away from your sins and stop doing them. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The payment for sin is death, but when you accept Jesus and repent of your sins, you receive eternal life.
First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” You must confess your sins and repent of them.
Third, you must publicly acknowledge you have accepted Jesus. Being a Christian is not a hidden thing. It is not something that you do once and then deny the rest of your life. Becoming a Christian is a lifestyle. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Did you catch that? It didn’t say “believe in your heart and you will be saved.” It said, “If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Jesus said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven, But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” We cannot hide our belief in Jesus.
Fourth, by faith you must accept the gift of salvation that God has given to you. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” And John 1:12 says “but as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”
To accept Jesus, pray this prayer from your heart:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come in the Name of Jesus. I thank You for sending your Son, Jesus, into this world to die for my sins and for raising Him from the dead so that I can have everlasting life.
I recognize and acknowledge Jesus as my Savior and as the Lord of my life. I repent of my sins and I forgive those who have wronged me. I believe in my heart and I will confess openly my belief in Jesus.
Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. I receive this gift by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.