The book of Romans tells how to become a follower of Jesus:

1. Because of our sin, we are separated from God.
   "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
    
2. The Penalty for our sin is death.
   "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
    
3. The penalty for our sin was paid by Jesus Christ!
   "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
    
4. If we repent of our sin, then confess and trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will be saved from our sins!
   "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13

"...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. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9,10

ARE YOU READY TO PRAY?
Warning! This is a serious commitment - like getting married! But you'll never be sorry; it's the best thing you'll ever do.
If you are sure, pray something like this:

"Jesus, I believe you died for me on the cross and that you rose again. I'm sorry for every selfish thing I have ever done - please forgive me and make me clean. I want to spend the rest of my life loving and following you."
 

That's it!  If you prayed that prayer and meant if from your heart, you are a brand new creature.
Now, here are some things you should do to seal your decision.

1. Share your faith with others.
   Imagine if you got married, but were embarrassed to tell anyone. That wouldn't be a genuine, loving commitment, would it? Confessing Jesus before others is a very important part of the process.
   
   "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord." 2 Timothy 1:8
   
   "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 10:32
   
   "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witness to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
    
2. Pray every day.
   Just talk to God as your best friend. Tell him your problems, hopes and struggles. He loves to hear your voice. Luke 11:2-4
    
3. Be baptized in water.
   Baptism is a picture of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. When you are baptized by immersion, you publicly state that you have died to your old life and been resurrected to a new life as a follower of Jesus. Acts 8:35-40
    
4. Study the Bible.
   The Bible will guide you through life and answer life's questions. Check out these free online study references.
   
   "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105
   
   "Be diligent to present yourself to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:153.
   
    
5. Fellowship with other Christians.
   "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24,25

Monarch Butterfly
Woodland Park Zoo