How to Give Your Life to Christ
How to Give Your Life to Christ
Your Guide to Surrendering to Jesus and Beginning a New Life
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." — Romans 12:1 (KJV)
Giving your life to Christ is the most important decision you will ever make. It is not merely an emotional experience or a religious ritual—it is a genuine surrender of your entire being to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you are searching for purpose, meaning, peace, and a relationship with God, you have come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn exactly what it means to give your life to Christ, why it is necessary, and how you can take this life-changing step today. This decision will transform your present and secure your eternal future.
Understanding Your Need for Salvation
Before you can truly give your life to Christ, you must understand why you need Him. The Bible teaches that every human being is a sinner who has fallen short of God's glory. Sin is not just breaking human laws or moral codes—it is rebellion against God Himself. Our sin separates us from a holy God and places us under His righteous judgment. Without Christ, we face eternal separation from God in hell.
The Reality of Sin and Its Consequences
Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Isaiah 59:2: "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
Romans 3:10-12: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
This is the bad news that makes the good news so wonderful. We cannot save ourselves through good works, religious observance, or moral improvement. We need a Savior—someone who can pay the penalty for our sin and reconcile us to God. That Savior is Jesus Christ, the Son of God who became man, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again on the third day.
God's Solution to Our Sin Problem
Romans 5:8: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
1 Peter 3:18: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
What It Means to Give Your Life to Christ
Giving your life to Christ involves several key elements: acknowledging your sin, believing in Jesus Christ, repenting of your sins, confessing Christ as Lord, and surrendering your will to His. This is not about performing religious rituals or improving yourself—it is about trusting in what Jesus has already done for you on the cross. Let us examine each of these elements in detail.
Acknowledging Your Sinfulness
1 John 1:8-10: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
Psalm 51:3-4: "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight."
The first step is honest acknowledgment. You must recognize that you are a sinner who has violated God's law and stands guilty before Him. This is not about comparing yourself to others or dwelling on how "bad" you have been. It is about recognizing your true spiritual condition before a holy God. Many people resist this step because of pride, but humility is essential for salvation.
Believing in Jesus Christ
Saving faith is more than intellectual agreement with facts about Jesus. It is personal trust in Jesus Christ as your only hope of salvation. You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross to pay for your sins, that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day. You must trust that His sacrifice is sufficient to save you—not your own works, not your religiosity, not your sincerity, but Christ alone.
The Object of Saving Faith
Acts 16:31: "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Acts 4:12: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
Believing in Jesus means entrusting your eternal destiny to Him. It means depending entirely on His finished work on the cross rather than on anything you can do. It means accepting that Jesus is who He claimed to be—the Son of God and the only Savior of the world. This kind of faith is not a one-time intellectual decision but a heartfelt trust that continues throughout your life.
The Nature of True Faith
Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
James 2:19: "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
Repenting of Your Sins
Repentance is an essential part of giving your life to Christ. True repentance involves a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. It means turning away from your sins and turning toward God. Repentance is not merely feeling sorry for getting caught or experiencing emotional remorse—it is a deliberate decision to stop rebelling against God and to submit to His authority.
The Biblical Command to Repent
Acts 3:19: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
Luke 13:3: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
2 Corinthians 7:10: "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
Acts 26:20: "But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance."
Repentance does not mean you will never sin again—Christians still struggle with sin. But it does mean that your fundamental attitude toward sin changes. Instead of loving sin and rebelling against God, you begin to hate sin and desire to please God. Repentance is the fruit of genuine faith, and it marks the beginning of a transformed life.
The Fruit of True Repentance
Matthew 3:8: "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance."
1 Thessalonians 1:9: "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God."
Proverbs 28:13: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
Confessing Jesus as Lord
The Bible teaches that salvation involves confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. This means more than simply saying words—it means acknowledging Jesus' authority over your life and submitting to His lordship. To confess Jesus as Lord is to declare your allegiance to Him, to recognize Him as the rightful ruler of your life, and to commit yourself to following and obeying Him.
The Confession of Faith
Romans 10:9-10: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Romans 10:13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Philippians 2:11: "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Matthew 10:32: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."
Confessing Jesus as Lord is not a magical formula but a genuine expression of faith. It involves both internal belief and external declaration. Your confession should flow from a heart that truly believes. When you confess Jesus publicly, you are identifying yourself with Him and declaring your commitment to follow Him regardless of the cost.
Surrendering Your Entire Life
Giving your life to Christ means exactly that—giving your entire life, not just parts of it. You surrender your will, your plans, your desires, your relationships, your possessions, your future—everything—to Jesus Christ. This is what it means to be a disciple. Jesus calls His followers to take up their cross daily and follow Him, to deny themselves, and to make Him the absolute priority of their lives.
The Cost of Discipleship
Luke 9:23: "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
Luke 14:27: "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."
Matthew 16:24-25: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Surrender is not a burden—it is freedom. When you surrender to Christ, you exchange your heavy burdens for His light yoke. You trade your futile attempts at controlling your life for the peace that comes from trusting God's perfect plan. Surrender is not about losing your life but about finding true life in Christ.
The Freedom of Surrender
Matthew 11:28-30: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
John 10:10: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
A Prayer to Give Your Life to Christ
If you are ready to give your life to Christ, you can do so right now through prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. There are no magic words you must say, but your prayer should express genuine repentance and faith. Here is a sample prayer you can pray from your heart:
"Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I have violated Your holy law. I recognize that I deserve Your judgment and that I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died on the cross for my sins, that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day. I repent of my sins and turn away from my rebellion against You. I place my faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for my salvation. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I surrender my entire life to You. Please forgive me, cleanse me, and give me eternal life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to follow You all the days of my life. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
If you prayed that prayer sincerely from your heart, believing in Jesus Christ, the Bible promises that you are saved. You have passed from death to life. You are a new creation in Christ. All your sins—past, present, and future—are forgiven. You have been adopted into God's family, and you now have eternal life.
God's Promise to You
John 6:37: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
1 John 5:11-13: "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life."
2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Your New Life in Christ
Giving your life to Christ is not the end of your journey—it is the beginning. You are now called to grow in your relationship with God and to live in obedience to His Word. Here are some essential steps for your new life in Christ:
Growing as a Disciple
Read the Bible Daily: The Bible is God's Word to you. It will teach you how to live and grow in your faith. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." (1 Peter 2:2)
Pray Continually: Prayer is communication with God. Develop a consistent prayer life. "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Join a Local Church: God designed you to grow in community with other believers. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is." (Hebrews 10:25)
Be Baptized: Baptism is an outward sign of your inward faith. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized." (Acts 2:41)
Share Your Faith: Tell others about what Jesus has done for you. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." (Matthew 28:19)
Your new life in Christ will not be without challenges. You will face temptations, trials, and spiritual battles. But God has promised never to leave you or forsake you. He has given you His Holy Spirit to guide you, strengthen you, and help you grow into spiritual maturity. Trust in His faithfulness as you walk with Him day by day.
God's Faithfulness to You
Hebrews 13:5: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Assurance of Your Salvation
Many new believers struggle with doubts about whether they are truly saved. The Bible provides clear assurance. If you have genuinely repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you are saved. Your salvation does not depend on your feelings but on God's promises. He cannot lie, and His Word is absolutely trustworthy.
The Certainty of Salvation
John 5:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 10:28-29: "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
Romans 8:38-39: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
1 John 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
Your salvation is secure in Christ. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. Nothing can separate you from God's love. Rest in these promises and walk confidently in your new identity as a child of God.
Begin Your Journey with Christ Today
Giving your life to Christ is the most important decision you will ever make. It will transform your present and secure your eternal future. If you have not yet taken this step, do not delay. God is calling you today. Respond to His call by repenting of your sins and placing your faith in Jesus Christ. If you have already given your life to Christ, discover the power of surrender and grow deeper in your relationship with God.
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." — 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)