Receive Jesus in faith
John says that those who receive Jesus and believe in his name are given the right to become God’s children (John 1:12). That welcome is open to people with complicated histories, unanswered questions, and real failures. You don’t need to make yourself impressive before you come.
Faith means relying on Jesus, not merely agreeing that he existed. The good news is that Christ died for our sins and was raised again, as Paul reminds the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). You can come to God plainly: admit your need, ask for mercy, and place your trust in Christ.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Receive grace, not a reward
Becoming part of God’s family is not a prize for people who have done enough good things. Paul tells the Ephesians that salvation comes by grace through faith and cannot be earned by human works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace means God gives what we could not secure for ourselves.
Good works still matter, but they follow salvation rather than purchase it. God’s love meets us in our need. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). So you do not have to hide your past from God or fix every part of your life before asking him to receive you.
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.
Turn towards God
Trusting Jesus includes repentance. Repentance is a change of direction: you bring your sin to God honestly and turn from what has ruled or harmed you. Jesus called people to repent and believe the good news (Mark 1:15). It does not mean you will never struggle again. It means you are no longer choosing sin as your master.
Paul describes faith in Christ as trusting God in your heart and openly acknowledging Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10). If you’re unsure how to begin, start there. Tell God you believe Jesus is Lord, ask him to forgive you, and ask for strength to follow him one day at a time.
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.
Grow in God’s family
God does not simply forgive his children and leave them alone. His Spirit helps believers know God as Father and assures them that they belong to him (Romans 8:15-16). Feelings can change from one week to the next, so assurance grows by returning to God’s promises and learning to trust Christ.
Read one of the Gospels, pray honestly, and find a healthy local church where you can learn and be known. Christians understand and practise baptism differently, including its relationship to salvation. Many churches regard it as an important public response of faith and a step of obedience for someone who has come to trust Jesus (Matthew 28:19).
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: