As Simple as A - B - C

Recently I talked with friend of mine named Dwight, a pastor in Alabama, about an evanglism class we’re taking. During the conversation, Dwight told of another preacher in his town who came to him for advice. A man in that preacher’s church had asked him how to become a Christian, and he wasn’t sure how to answer the man, so he had come to Pastor Dwight to ask what he should tell him.

To put it mildly, Pastor Dwight and I were both astonished! Imagine, a pastor not knowing how to become a Christian. It’s so simple!

Come to our church on a Wednesday night and ask the eleven-year olds in Awana: they can tell you how to become a Christian. It’s as simple as “A-B-C!”

The “A” stands for the word “Admit!” and it’s the first step to becoming a Christian: admit you need a Savior. Jesus put it this way: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). That might sounds like bad news, but really it’s very good news, because the fact is, we’re all sinners. Listen to the Word of God. “There is no one who lives righteously. No, not one” (Psalm 14:3). “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Until you admit you’re a sinner in need of a Savior, then to you, Jesus is basically irrelevant. So, the first step is “A” – Admit you need a Savior. Do you admit that?

After “A” comes “B” – Believe Jesus died to save you from your sins. Notice that it’s not just “Believe in God.” Scripture says this about simply believing in God, “The demons also believe – and tremble!” (James 2:19). Obviously, there’s more to saving faith than just believing God exists. God’s Word says that to be a Christian, you must “believe in the name of God’s Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 3:23). “Believe in His name:” what does that mean? It means believing He is what His name declares Him to be. Jesus is His name, and “Jesus” means “The Lord Who saves.”

Do you believe that Jesus is the Lord Who saves? That’s step number two.

The third step to becoming a Christian is “C” – commit your life to Him.” Look back at step two for a moment and notice that “B” means believing that Jesus is the LORD Who saves. As the LORD, He is worthy to be in charge of your life. If you believe that He is the LORD Who saves, then commit your life to Him! One translation of Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way unto the Lord;” another version simplifies it this way: “Put your life in the hands of the Lord.” Have you done that?

It’s simple enough for an eight year old, and profound enough for a ninety-eight year old.

Admit you’re a sinner in need of a Savior.

Believe Jesus died to save you from your sins.

Commit your life to Him.