How Not to Become a Christian

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12–13 

Three ways you cannot become a child of God. That's right. How not to become a Christian, be careful, like most ‘Christians’ you might find yourself described below. 

You cannot be a Christian simply by being born into a Christian family.  I'm amazed at how many people, when asked how they know they are Christians, will answer, "Because I think my grandmother was," or, "Because my dad is a Christian, or “Because everyone in my family is a Christian."  It's a strange delusional thought process that they have twisted into believing that their family somehow has Christian "genes."  Do not mistake what I am writing, having Christian parents is a great privilege.   There is nothing more wonderful  than being raised with biblical values and to develop a Christian worldview.  But that does not make you a Christian.  You still must personally believe in Jesus. You cannot live off the faith of your mother, father, sister or brother.

You cannot become a Christian by compulsion.  No one in the world can make you a Christian. No minister or priest can make you a Christian by mere baptism or a sacrament.  You cannot be reborn through a ceremony, by raising your hand,  or by standing up or sitting down, or by going forward, or by kneeling at a bench,  or by reading a creed,.  None of these things, in and of themselves, will make you a Christian.

You cannot make yourself a Christian by your own will.  Not only does faith have nothing to do with your family background or compulsion, it also has nothing to do with desire.  You can not just say, "From this second on, I am a Christian!"  Becoming a Christian is a direct result of and continual decision to putting your trust in God and God alone.  God is the one who saves you, not yourself, your family, your friends, your money, your knowledge, or strength.  To think otherwise would  be compared to a drowning person thinking he can save himself or another drowning person.  

Becoming a Christian involves choosing the narrow path and turning away from sin (really, be honest with yourself, have you?)  and trusting Jesus and Jesus alone for your salvation.  It involves honestly saying "yes" to God's invitation to change your heart.