Christianity 101: Who, What, Why, How – What you need to know to get it right
Introduction: Christianity Is an Invitation
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – JOHN 14:6
Christianity is not primarily a religious system, a list of rules, or a program for becoming a nicer person. It is the true story of the living God who created us for relationship and purpose, pursued us when we rebelled, came to rescue us through Jesus Christ, and now calls each of us to return, trust Him, and follow Him.
Getting Christianity right begins with getting the foundation right. General belief that God exists is not the same as knowing Him. Admiring Jesus is not the same as trusting Him. Agreeing with Christian ideas is not the same as repenting, submitting to Jesus as Lord, and following Him. Biblical faith moves from awareness to understanding, from understanding to trust, and from trust to a surrendered and transformed life.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” — Hebrews 11:6
This article follows the Bible’s basic storyline and answers the key questions:
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- Who is God?
- What is He accomplishing?
- Who are we, and why are we here?
- What went wrong?
- What has God done to rescue us?
- Who is Jesus, and why should we trust Him?
- What did He accomplish?
- How should we respond?
- What happens if we refuse?
- What happens when we respond?
- And what does following Jesus actually look like?
The Purpose of this article is to build a solid foundation for understanding who God is, why Jesus should be trusted, and why each of us should respond to His call and diligently follow Him.
Every part of the Christian story depends on the character of the One who initiated it. So we must begin with the most important question: Who is God?
1. Who Is God?
God is the eternal Creator and rightful Lord of everything that exists. He is not part of creation, a distant force, or a human invention. He existed before all things, brought all things into being, sustains them, and possesses rightful authority over them.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1
“Before the mountains were brought forth…even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” — Psalm 90:2
The one true God has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christianity does not teach three gods. It teaches one God eternally revealed in three distinct persons, perfectly united in nature, character, purpose, and love.
“Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28:19
God is perfectly holy, righteous, and just. He is never corrupt, confused, deceptive, selfish, or unfair. His judgments are right because His character is right. At the same time, God is love—merciful, gracious, patient, forgiving, and abounding in goodness. His holiness and love do not compete. His love is holy, and His justice is good.
“A God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” — Deuteronomy 32:4
“The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” — Exodus 34:6
God is truthful, faithful, and unchanging. He does not manipulate us or make promises He will not keep. Because His character does not change, we can build our lives upon what He says.
“God is not a man, that He should lie…Has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” — Numbers 23:19
Most importantly, God is personal and knowable. He does not merely want us to acknowledge His existence. He invites us to understand His heart, know His ways, receive His love, and walk with Him.
“Let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me.” — Jeremiah 9:24
Foundation: God is the eternal Creator—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—perfectly holy and just, abounding in love and goodness, completely truthful and faithful, and personally knowable.
If this is who God is, what is this loving and sovereign Creator working to accomplish?
2. What Is God Accomplishing?
God is building a heaven and earth united under the loving lordship of Jesus Christ. He is forming a family of people who freely know Him, love Him, reflect His character, and participate in His Kingdom.
“That…He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth.” — Ephesians 1:10
God’s desire is that the order, goodness, and love of heaven increasingly become visible on earth.
“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10
God leads through love and gives each person the freedom to choose how to respond. He does not force relationship or love. He reveals Himself, demonstrates His goodness, draws us toward Him, and invites us to choose life with Him.
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” — Jeremiah 31:3
“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.” — Deuteronomy 30:19
God desires more than outward compliance. He wants sons and daughters who know His heart, friends who understand what He is doing, and willing partners who participate in His work.
“No longer do I call you servants… but I have called you friends.” — John 15:15
God is forming people who increasingly reflect the character of Jesus and freely allow His love, truth, and goodness to flow through their lives.
“Whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” — Romans 8:29
Ultimately, God will dwell with His people in a renewed creation where heaven and earth are united and all things are made new.
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them… Behold, I make all things new.” — Revelation 21:3, 5
In summary: God is building a heaven and earth united under the lordship of Jesus, filled with people who freely know Him, love Him, reflect His character, and participate in His Kingdom.
If this is what God is building, who did He create us to be—and what part were we designed to play in His plan?
3. Who Are We—and Why Are We Here?
Human beings are not cosmic accidents or self-created owners of our lives. We were intentionally created by God in His image. That gives every person profound dignity, value, responsibility, and purpose.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” — Genesis 1:27
To bear God’s image means we were created to represent Him—to reflect His character, exercise responsible authority, cultivate what He has entrusted to us, and fill the earth with the fruit of His goodness. Our lives belong within His design, not outside it.
“Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion.” — Genesis 1:26
At the center of that design is relationship. We were created to know God, receive His love, love Him in return, and allow that love to flow through us to others. Eternal life is not merely endless existence; Jesus described it as knowing the Father and the Son.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” — John 17:3
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:37, 39
We were also created to work in partnership with God. He chooses to involve human beings in cultivating creation, serving people, proclaiming truth, making disciples, and advancing His Kingdom purposes. This partnership never makes us equal to God; it makes us dependent and responsive fellow workers under His leadership.
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” — 1 Corinthians 3:9
The intended result is a life that produces good, helps others, and brings glory back to the One who gave it.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16
Our Purpose in summary: We were created to know God, receive and reflect His love, represent Him, work in partnership with Him, care for what He entrusted to us, and bring Him glory through fruitful lives.
If humanity was created for relationship, representation, and partnership with God, why does human life now contain so much alienation, confusion, bondage, suffering, and death?
4. What Went Wrong in the Garden?
The human crisis began with a crisis of trust. The serpent questioned God’s Word, misrepresented His character, and suggested that God was withholding something good. The temptation was not merely to eat forbidden fruit; it was to distrust God and claim the right to define good and evil independently of Him.
“Has God indeed said…?” — Genesis 3:1
“You will be like God, knowing good and evil.” — Genesis 3:5
Adam and Eve accepted the lie, rejected God’s authority, and chose self-rule. Their visible disobedience flowed from an inward decision: “I will trust my perception and desire above God’s Word.” That pattern remains at the heart of sin.
“The woman saw that the tree was good for food…pleasant to the eyes, and…desirable to make one wise.” — Genesis 3:6
Sin immediately damaged their inner lives and their relationship with God. Innocence gave way to guilt, shame, fear, hiding, blame, and broken fellowship. Their relationships with one another and with creation also became disordered.
“I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” — Genesis 3:10
The consequences spread far beyond the first couple. Sin entered the human story, corrupted our nature and desires, placed humanity under bondage, and brought death into the world. Every generation has repeated the same rebellion by turning to its own way.
“Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men.” — Romans 5:12
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way.” — Isaiah 53:6
The Core Problem: Humanity distrusted God, rejected His authority, and chose self-rule. Sin separated us from God and produced shame, bondage, brokenness, and death.
Humanity could not repair this rupture through effort, morality, religion, or knowledge. Would God abandon His rebellious children—or come looking for them?
5. What Has God Done to Rescue Us?
God did not abandon humanity. From the first moments after the fall, He came looking for those who were hiding. His question to Adam was not evidence that God had lost him; it was an invitation for Adam to come out of hiding and face the truth.
“Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”” — Genesis 3:9
Even in announcing the consequences of sin, God promised that a descendant of the woman would ultimately defeat the serpent. This first promise of rescue anticipated Jesus’ victory over Satan, sin, and death.
“He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” — Genesis 3:15
Across generations, God continued to reveal Himself and unfold His plan. He established covenants, gave His law to reveal His holiness and expose sin, sent prophets to call people back, preserved the promise of a coming King and Savior, and prepared the world for Christ.
“God…at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” — Hebrews 1:1–2
At the appointed time, God acted decisively. He sent His Son not because humanity had earned rescue, but because He loved us. Jesus came into the world to seek and save people who were lost.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” — Luke 19:10
God’s rescue is therefore not humanity climbing upward to reach Him. It is God coming down to us, bearing our condition, accomplishing what we could not, and calling us home.
Why Should We Trust God’s Written Word?
The Bible presents itself as God-breathed revelation communicated through human authors under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It is not a random collection of religious opinions. Across many centuries, authors, settings, and literary forms, it tells one unfolding story: creation, rebellion, promise, redemption through Jesus, restoration, and new creation.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16
“Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” — 2 Peter 1:21
The Bible’s central claims are rooted in real people, places, covenants, events, witnesses, fulfilled promises, and above all the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus treated Scripture as God’s truth, used it to resist deception, and explained that its unfolding testimony pointed toward Him.
“Your word is truth.” — John 17:17
“Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” — Luke 24:27
We do not trust Scripture because of blind credulity. We receive its testimony because it consistently reveals the character and plan of God, culminates in the historically proclaimed person and work of Jesus, withstands honest examination, and continues to expose hearts and transform those who receive and obey its truth.
God’s Initiative: When humanity turned away, God pursued us, revealed His plan through His Word, sent His Son to accomplish our rescue, and now calls us to be reconciled to Him.
God’s written Word directs our attention to a living Person. Who is Jesus, and what makes Him worthy of our trust?
6. Who Is Jesus—and Why Should We Trust Him?
Jesus is not merely a moral teacher, prophet, spiritual guide, or inspiring martyr. He is the eternal Word who was with God and is God—the divine Son through whom all things were created.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1
The eternal Son became fully human without ceasing to be divine. He entered history, lived among us, and made the invisible God known in human form. If we want to know what God is like, we look at Jesus.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.” — John 1:14
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” — John 14:9
Jesus is the promised Christ, Savior, and Lord. His identity gives authority to His teaching and makes our response to Him more than an optional spiritual preference.
“There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” — Luke 2:11
Why Jesus Is Worthy of Our Trust
His character: Jesus lived without sin or deceit.
“Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.” — 1 Peter 2:22
His words: He taught with authority, exposed the heart, revealed the Father, and spoke truth that gives life.
“The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” — John 6:63
His works: His miracles displayed compassion and authority over sickness, nature, darkness, and death. Jesus invited people to examine the works themselves.
“Though you do not believe Me, believe the works.” — John 10:38
His sacrificial love: He did not use power for Himself. He willingly gave His life to rescue sinners—even His enemies.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” — John 15:13
His resurrection: Jesus’ victory over death confirmed His identity, vindicated His claims, and stands at the center of the apostles’ eyewitness proclamation.
“Declared to be the Son of God with power…by the resurrection from the dead.” — Romans 1:4
Christian faith is therefore not faith in faith. It is personal reliance upon Jesus—the One whose character, words, works, sacrifice, and resurrection demonstrate that He is trustworthy. He does not call us to entrust our lives to a stranger. He calls us to examine who He is and then follow where He leads.
The Central Claim: Jesus is God’s Son, the Word made flesh, who perfectly revealed the Father. His sinless life, authoritative teaching, powerful works, sacrificial love, and resurrection show that He is worthy of our trust.
If Jesus truly is the trustworthy Son of God, what did His life, cross, and resurrection accomplish for us?
7. What Did Jesus Accomplish?
On the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished!” His words did not mean merely that His suffering was ending. They announced that He had completed the work the Father gave Him to do. His sacrifice was sufficient; the debt of sin had been addressed; the way back to God had been opened.
“It is finished!” — John 19:30
Jesus revealed the Father and modeled the life humanity was intended to live—a life yielded to God and poured out in love. But He came to do more than provide an example. He came as our substitute and rescuer.
He took our sins and their penalty upon Himself. The innocent One stood in the place of the guilty so that we could be forgiven and restored.
“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree.” — 1 Peter 2:24
He purchased redemption and forgiveness. Redemption means release through a price paid. Jesus gave His life to free us from the guilt and claim of sin.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” — Ephesians 1:7
He reconciled us to God. The ultimate purpose of the cross was not merely to improve our circumstances or relieve our conscience, but to bring us back into relationship with the Father.
“Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” — 1 Peter 3:18
He defeated the powers of darkness and broke their legal claim. The cross, which appeared to be Jesus’ defeat, became the place of His triumph.
“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” — Colossians 2:15
He rose from the dead, defeated death, and opened the way to new and eternal life. The resurrection means death is no longer the final authority over those who belong to Christ.
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” — John 11:25
Christ’s Finished Work: Jesus revealed the Father, bore our sins, purchased forgiveness, reconciled us to God, defeated the powers of darkness and death, and opened the way to new and eternal life.
Jesus has completed the work of rescue, but He does not force us into relationship. How does His love call us, and how should we respond?
8. Jesus Is Calling—How Should We Respond?
The gospel begins with God’s initiative. Jesus loved us before we loved Him and gave Himself while we were still sinners. His invitation is not a demand to make ourselves worthy. It is a call to stop hiding, receive the rescue He has provided, surrender self-rule, and enter a living relationship with Him.
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
Jesus pictures Himself standing at the door and knocking. He calls, but He does not break down the door. Love invites a real response.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.” — Revelation 3:20
He also presents Himself as the Good Shepherd whose sheep recognize His voice and follow Him. The proper response to Jesus is not merely to admire Him or agree that He existed. It is to hear, trust, and follow.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” — John 10:27
Our Response to His Invitation
Recognize: Acknowledge God’s truth about who He is, who we are, our sin, and our need for rescue.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23
Repent: Turn from sin, independence, and self-rule; return to God and embrace His direction.
“Repent, and believe in the gospel.” — Mark 1:15
Believe: Place personal trust in Jesus—who He is, what He accomplished, and His resurrection from the dead.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” — Acts 16:31
Declare and submit: Confess Jesus as Lord and yield your life to His rightful authority.
“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.” — Romans 10:9
Follow: Deny self, take up your cross, and begin walking with Jesus every day.
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23
These responses do not purchase salvation. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works. Yet saving faith is not passive agreement. It receives God’s gift by entrusting the whole person to Jesus and begins expressing itself through surrendered obedience.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith…and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
The Choice: Jesus is lovingly calling us out of self-rule and into relationship with Him. We respond by recognizing our need, repenting, believing, declaring Him as Lord, submitting our lives, and following Him.
Because God permits a genuine response, His invitation can also be refused. What happens if we continue to reject Him?
9. What Happens If We Reject His Invitation?
Rejecting Jesus is not a neutral decision. We are not spiritually healthy people standing between two equally valid lifestyles. Apart from Christ, humanity already lives separated from God, under the power and consequences of sin. Rejecting the rescue means remaining in that condition.
We remain separated from God. Sin obstructs fellowship with the One who is the source of truth, love, goodness, and life.
“Your iniquities have separated you from your God.” — Isaiah 59:2
We remain enslaved to sin and self-rule. What initially feels like freedom from God progressively becomes bondage to desires, lies, habits, fears, and powers we cannot master.
“Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” — John 8:34
Persistent sin deceives and hardens the heart. Each refusal makes it easier to resist truth and more difficult to recognize the Shepherd’s voice.
“Lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” — Hebrews 3:13
We remain condemned because we have refused God’s provision for forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it; nevertheless, the person who rejects Him remains responsible for sin.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already.” — John 3:18
The final consequence of sin is death and eternal separation from God. This is not because God delights in destruction. He desires people to repent and live. But He will not force anyone to love, trust, or dwell with Him against their will.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:23
“These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.” — 2 Thessalonians 1:9
A Sober Truth: Rejecting Jesus means remaining under self-rule, enslaved to sin, separated from God, and responsible for sin’s present and eternal consequences.
God warns us because He loves us and wants us to choose life. What changes when we repent, trust Jesus, and submit to Him?
10. What Happens When We Respond?
When we respond to Jesus in repentant faith, God does not merely improve our old life or add religion to it. He applies Christ’s finished work to us, brings us into a new relationship, gives us a new identity, and begins a new work within us.
We are forgiven and released from the guilt of our past. Our standing with God no longer rests on our moral record, but on the redemption Jesus purchased.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” — Ephesians 1:7
We are justified and reconciled to God. Hostility gives way to peace; distance gives way to access and fellowship.
“Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1
We are born again and become a new creation. God does not simply conceal our old identity. He gives us spiritual life and begins restoring His image and purpose in us.
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away…all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
We are adopted into God’s family. We no longer approach Him merely as condemned outsiders or fearful slaves, but as beloved children and heirs through Christ.
“You are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” — Galatians 4:7
We receive the Holy Spirit. God comes to dwell within us, assures us that we belong to Him, teaches us, leads us, empowers us to resist sin, and produces Christlike character as we cooperate with Him.
“Repent…and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” — Acts 2:38
We receive eternal life and pass from death into life. Eternal life begins now in relationship with God and continues beyond physical death.
“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life…and has passed from death into life.” — John 5:24
We are also restored to purpose. God’s grace makes us His workmanship and Kingdom partners, prepared to do good, bear fruit, help others, and bring glory to Him.
“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10
New Life: God forgives us, reconciles us, makes us new, adopts us, gives us His Spirit, grants eternal life, and restores us to His purpose. We receive a new relationship, identity, power, direction, and future.
Conversion is the beginning, not the finish line. Once we have responded to Jesus, what does walking with Him look like in everyday life?
11. What Does Following Jesus Look Like?
Following Jesus means living in an active, dependent relationship with Him. We do not graduate from grace and continue in our own strength. We learn to abide in Jesus, receive the Father’s love, hear the Shepherd’s voice, embrace His truth, yield to the Holy Spirit, and walk in faith as His love flows through us to others.
Abide in Jesus and Receive His Love
A branch produces fruit only by remaining connected to the vine. In the same way, Christian life and transformation flow from communion with Jesus, not religious striving. We make time to worship, pray, listen, read His Word, receive His love, and remain conscious of His presence.
“Abide in Me, and I in you…for without Me you can do nothing.” — John 15:4–5
Hear His Voice and Embrace His Truth
Followers learn the Shepherd’s voice through Scripture and the Holy Spirit. We test what we receive against God’s Word, reject lies, take competing thoughts captive, and allow truth to renew how we see God, ourselves, others, and our circumstances.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” — John 10:27
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
Deny Self and Walk in Faith
Jesus calls us out of self-rule. We learn to surrender our agenda, comfort, pride, fear, and desire for control. Denying self does not mean believing we have no value; it means refusing to make self the lord and purpose of our lives. We trust Jesus enough to obey what He says, even when our feelings pull in another direction.
“Let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” — John 14:15
Yield to the Holy Spirit and Be Transformed
We cannot reproduce the life of Jesus through willpower alone. The Holy Spirit supplies new direction and power. As we yield, He exposes sin, forms Christ’s character, redirects our desires, and empowers loving obedience. Grace is not permission to remain unchanged; it is God’s active power working in surrendered people.
“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16
“It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” — Philippians 2:13
Love, Serve, and Bear Kingdom Fruit
The clearest outward evidence of discipleship is love. We forgive as we have been forgiven, speak truth with grace, serve rather than use people, establish wise boundaries without hatred, do the good placed before us, share our testimony, and help others find and follow Jesus. God’s love becomes visible as it passes through our choices and actions.
“As I have loved you, that you also love one another.” — John 13:34
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” — John 15:8
The Daily Pattern: Hear → Receive → Be Transformed → Walk in Faith → Love and Serve → Bear Kingdom Fruit.
Following Jesus does not mean we will never stumble. It means we no longer make peace with self-rule. When the Holy Spirit exposes sin, we confess it, receive forgiveness, return to truth, and continue walking. Over time, faithful cooperation with grace produces increasing freedom, love, usefulness, and resemblance to Christ.
A Foundation to Stand On—and Build On
The foundation of Christianity is not our ability to perform perfectly. It is the character of God, the truth of His Word, the identity of Jesus, and the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work. We stand by faith in what Jesus has done, and we build by learning to walk with Him in the power of the Holy Spirit.
God created us for relationship and Kingdom partnership. Sin pulled humanity into distrust, self-rule, and death. God pursued us and sent His Son. Jesus bore our sin, reconciled us to the Father, defeated darkness and death, and offered us new life. We must decide whether to reject His invitation or respond with repentant faith. When we respond, God makes us new and begins transforming us into the people He intended us to be.
The Christian journey can be summarized simply: know Jesus, trust Jesus, submit to Jesus, abide in Jesus, be transformed by His Spirit, and allow His love to flow through your life to others. This is not merely how we prepare for heaven. It is how God begins bringing the life of heaven into us and through us now—for the good of others and the glory of His name.
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith.”
— Colossians 2:6–7
The story now comes to the personal question no one else can answer for us: Will we trust Jesus enough to follow Him?
12. Will You Trust and Follow Jesus?
Understanding Christianity is is the right start, but understanding alone is not enough: You now have a decision to make.
Jesus has revealed the Father, demonstrated His trustworthiness, carried our sin, defeated death, and opened the way to be reconcilled with the Father.
He now calls each of us personally to move from awareness to trust, from self-rule to surrender, and from admiration to discipleship. No one else can make that decision for you. How will you respond?
“You believe in God, believe also in Me.” — John 14:1
Consider the questions honestly:
Do I believe Jesus is who He says He is?
Do I believe His character, works, sacrifice, and resurrection make Him worthy of my trust?
Am I willing to repent—to turn from sin and self-rule?
Am I willing to declare Jesus as Lord and yield my life to His authority?
Am I willing to hear His voice, learn His ways, and follow Him daily?
“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” — Hebrews 3:15
Be Bold: Open the door, entrust your life to Jesus, declare Him as Lord, and begin following Him today.
The following declaration is not a formula or a collection of magic words. It is a way to express genuine repentance, faith, and surrender to Jesus. Speak it only if it honestly reflects the decision of your heart.
Declaration: I Will Trust and Follow Jesus
Heavenly Father,
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died for my sins and rose from the dead.
I repent of my sin and turn from self-rule to You.
I declare Jesus Christ as Lord and submit my life to His authority.
I trust His finished work for my forgiveness,
receive the new life You offer me,
and yield to Your Holy Spirit working within me.
I will listen for Your voice, embrace Your truth, and follow Jesus as You lead me.
Transform me into the person You created me to be, and let Your love flow through my life to others.
Today, I choose to trust and follow Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“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.” — Romans 10:9
Your First Steps Following Jesus
Responding to Jesus is the beginning of a new relationship and way of life. You do not have to understand everything before you begin. Take the next step you understand, remain teachable, and trust God to lead you forward.
1. Tell Someone About Your Decision
Tell a mature Christian that you have chosen to trust and follow Jesus. Ask that person to pray with you, answer questions, and help you begin building your life on truth.
“Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 10:32
2. Be Baptized
Baptism is the public expression of your identification with Jesus—His death, burial, and resurrection—and your decision to begin a new life under His lordship.
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” — Acts 2:38
3. Begin Reading God’s Word
Begin with the Gospel of John. Read a short section each day and ask:
What does this reveal about Jesus?
What truth should I believe?
What is God inviting me to do?
How can I put this into practice today?
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
4. Talk With God Every Day
Prayer is an honest conversation with God. Thank Him, confess your struggles, ask for wisdom, listen quietly, and bring every part of your life before Him.
“In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” — Philippians 4:6
5. Learn to Recognize the Good Shepherd’s Voice
Jesus desires an active personal relationship with you. Ask Him for wisdom, pay attention to what the Holy Spirit brings to mind, and test everything against Scripture and the character of Jesus.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” — John 10:27
6. Join a Healthy Christian Community
Find a church that teaches Scripture, honors Jesus as Lord, welcomes the work of the Holy Spirit, and helps people grow as disciples. Christianity was never intended to be lived alone.
“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” — Acts 2:42
7. Begin Putting Jesus’ Teaching Into Practice
When the Holy Spirit reveals sin, confess it and turn from it. When Jesus shows you a loving action to take, act in faith. Growth occurs as truth becomes loving obedience.
“Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24
8. Ask a Mature Believer to Walk With You
Find someone who can help you study Scripture, test what you are hearing, work through questions, pray with you, and encourage you when following Jesus becomes difficult.
“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” — Proverbs 27:17
First-Week Call to Action
Be Bold—tell someone about your decision, begin reading John, talk with God every day, and identify a mature believer or healthy church that can help you grow.
Where To Learn More
Continue building your foundation through these practical teachings:
Learn to hear and respond to God.
How Do I Respond To What Jesus Did (Blog Post)
You CAN Hear God’s Voice (Blog Post / Workshop)
Receive God’s Love / Stand In Your New Identity
How Do I Receive God’s Love (Blog Post)
Your New Identity In Christ (Blog Post)
Learn to recognize and follow God’s direction.
Understand God’s Will (Blog Post)
Renew Your Mind – Build God’s truth into your thinking.
Be Transformed By The Renewal of Your Mind (Blog Post)
Learn to escape self-rule and follow Jesus.
The Problems With Self-Centered Living (Blog Post)
Learn to release God’s love to others.
Flow God’s Love to Others (Blog Post)
Christianity 101 – Reference Presentation (PDF)
My Offer
I would be pleased and honored to help you work through this process. Whether just helping you build an understanding so you can proceed and engage with God with more confidence, or helping you work through your personal spirit led transformation into an effective ambassador for the kingdom.
Send me an email at jakirkgasser@comcast.net and we can set up a time to discuss, or join the weekly bible study zoom meeting at links provided (Bible Study Page).