Before taking this step, we would be wise to consider its implications. Jesus constantly discouraged people from following him if they were doing so for the wrong reasons. We too must carefully consider our reasons for accepting him. There are rich rewards in following Christ, but there is a price to be paid. What demand does Christ make on me if I accept his offer?
I must repent of my sin. Jesus said, “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). When a person receives Christ, he or she must also repent. This doesn’t mean being sorry for the past; I must repent. That is, I must turn my back on everything in my past life I know to be wrong, and I must be willing to let Christ cast it out of my life forever. I can’t do this by myself. And if my repentance is genuine, it will include making restitution by repaying stolen money or property or time, by making some needed apology, by contradicting lies about others I have spread, and so on.
I must surrender to Christ. He wants to be my Lord as well as my Savior. He wants to take possession of all my life and rule in it so that from today on, his Word guides me in everything. I will consult him before making any decisions, pray constantly about my career, and do my best to discover and obey his will in little things and big. I will never forget what he said about denying myself and following him (Mark 8:34).
I must confess Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord before others. I realize that I cannot be a secret disciple. I will tell others that Jesus is my Lord, and if my faith is challenged, I will own up to the fact that I am a follower of Christ. I will not be ashamed to show by my life that I am a Christian. I am aware that I may lose some of my old friends, and some will sneer at me, but Christ told me not to be ashamed of him (Matthew 10:32-33; Mark 8:38). I will count it a privilege to suffer for his sake (Acts 5:41).
