Start with God’s grace
There isn’t a secret sequence that makes God accept you. Salvation begins with what God has done, not with how well you perform. Jesus came for sinners, gave himself for us, and offers forgiveness and new life as a gift.
Paul told the Christians in Ephesus that they had been saved by grace through faith, not by works they could boast about (Ephesians 2:8-9). That means you don’t need to clean yourself up before coming to God. Come honestly, with your need, and trust his mercy.
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 to God
Jesus began his public message by calling people to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Repentance means a change of mind and direction. It is not pretending you have never done wrong, or promising instant perfection. It is turning away from ruling your own life and turning towards God.
This turning can be very personal. You may tell God plainly where you have gone wrong, ask for forgiveness, and ask him to lead you. The tax collector in Jesus’ parable had no polished speech. He simply asked God for mercy, and Jesus said he went home accepted by God (Luke 18:13-14).
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Trust Jesus and confess him
Christian faith is more than agreeing that Jesus existed. It is relying on him. The heart of the good news is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). His resurrection means death and sin do not have the final word.
Romans says that salvation involves believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessing Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10). You can express that faith in prayer, in simple words. Tell him that you trust him, receive his forgiveness, and want him to be Lord of your life. The words are not magic. Faith is the real issue.
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.
Begin walking with him
Saving faith grows into a changed life. Not all at once, and not without struggles, but real trust in Jesus leads us to learn from him and obey him. Jesus spoke of those who hear his word and put it into practice (Matthew 7:24). When you fail, return to him rather than hiding from him.
Baptism is the normal public beginning of that new life. Peter called those who received his message to repent and be baptised (Acts 2:38). Christians agree that baptism is important, but differ about whether it is the means by which God saves or the outward sign of faith already received. Either way, if you have trusted Christ and have not been baptised, speak with a healthy local church about taking that step.
You were not meant to follow Jesus alone. Read one of the Gospels, pray honestly, and find believers who will help you know Christ and grow in faith (Acts 2:42). Salvation is a gift received in a moment, yet it opens into a lifelong relationship with God.