Finding Christ: From Rock Bottom to Real Faith

Have you ever felt like your life is spinning out of control? Maybe you're searching for something real, something that actually matters. This is your story too—a journey from emptiness to encountering the living God who transforms everything.

The Reality Check: Sin's Pleasure is Temporary

Let's be honest—sin can feel good for a moment. The party scene, the relationships, the freedom to do whatever you want—it all seems exciting at first. But here's what nobody tells you: it always leads somewhere dark.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23

One person's story shows this clearly. At 21 years old, facing a felony charge, sitting in jail, with broken relationships, anxiety, depression, and bitterness—this is where the "freedom" of living life your own way leads. The Bible tells us that sin is pleasurable for a short time, but it soon leads to destruction.

Key Truth: Your way might seem right, but without God, it leads to emptiness and destruction. You were made for something more.

God Draws Us When We're at the End

Here's the beautiful truth: when you hit rock bottom, God is there. When everything feels like too much to bear, when you're crying in the shower thinking about ways out, God plants a seed in your heart.

For one young man, it was a simple thought: "I need to get back in church." That wasn't just a random idea—that was God drawing him. Even when we push Him away, even when we want nothing to do with Him, God loves us enough to pursue us.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." - James 4:8

What Does It Mean to Be "Saved"?

Being saved isn't about religion or following rules. It's about:

• Repentance: Turning away from sin and turning toward God
• Faith: Believing that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead
• Surrender: Making Jesus your Lord—the King of your life
• New Life: Becoming a completely new person from the inside out

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Moment Everything Changed: A Prophetic Encounter

Imagine this: You go to church feeling guilty and ashamed after a terrible night. A speaker you've never met before prays for people. When he gets to you, he stops and says:

"You've seen some things very recently that you should have never seen. That was like the devil tying a rope around your neck. But I'm here to tell you that God is setting you free right now."

How could he know? This man had never met you before. That's how personal God is. He knows exactly what you did last night. He knows your secrets, your shame, your pain—and He loves you anyway.

This encounter removed all doubt. God is real. God knows you personally. And God loves you enough to set you free.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

Making It Real: Your Response Matters

God doesn't force anyone to follow Him. He draws us, reveals Himself, and then waits for our response. The question is: What will you do with Jesus?

The First Steps to Christ:

1. Acknowledge your need: Recognize that your way hasn't worked and you need God
2. Believe in Jesus: Trust that He died for your sins and rose from the dead
3. Confess Him as Lord: Declare with your mouth that Jesus is your King
4. Repent of sin: Turn away from the old life and turn toward God
5. Follow Him: Start obeying what He says in His Word

"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. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." - Romans 10:9-10

What About Baptism?

Once you've repented and put your faith in Jesus, baptism is your next step. It's not what saves you—faith in Jesus saves you. But baptism is important because:

• Jesus commanded it (Matthew 28:19)
• It's a public declaration of your faith
• It symbolizes dying to your old life and rising to new life in Christ
• It's an act of obedience that shows you're serious about following Jesus

Important: The thief on the cross next to Jesus wasn't baptized, yet Jesus said "Today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). This shows that faith saves us, not baptism. But if you have the opportunity to be baptized and refuse, you need to examine your heart—why wouldn't you want to obey Jesus?

A Prayer to Get Started

If you're ready to give your life to Christ, pray this prayer from your heart:

"God, forgive me for all my sins. I don't want to sin anymore, but I want to do Your will. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and I give my whole life to You. To obey You and love You. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and that He's raised from the dead. I ask You to fill me with the Holy Spirit. My life belongs to You. In Jesus' name. Amen."

If you prayed that prayer and meant it, you are now a child of God! Old things have passed away—you are a new creation in Christ!

What Happens Next?

Becoming a Christian isn't the end—it's the beginning of the most exciting journey of your life. Here's what you need to know:

• You have a new identity: You're now a child of God, not defined by your past
• The Holy Spirit lives in you: God Himself is now inside you, helping you
• You're part of God's family: Find other believers and get connected to a church
• You'll grow: This is a journey, not instant perfection
• You'll face challenges: The devil doesn't give up easily, but God is stronger

"He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6

NEXT: Growing in Christ - Your First Steps as a New Believer →