How to Be Born Again: Step 5 – Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior

How To Be Born Again: Step 5 – Receive Jesus As Lord And Savior

You’ve walked a journey if you’ve followed the earlier steps of this series. This final step brings everything together: it’s the moment you turn from relying on yourself and place your life wholly in Jesus’ hands. In this article, you’ll discover what it means to receive Christ, the Bible’s clear invitation, a simple prayer to pray, and the immediate actions you should take afterward. If you’ve been searching for clarity about how to be born again step 5, this guide will walk you through it gently and practically.

Why this step matters

This step matters because everything in the Christian life hinges on the moment you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. It’s not a ritual or a religious badge; it’s a life-changing relationship that starts when you surrender—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. When you receive Christ, you’re accepting God’s rescue plan for your life and stepping into a new identity that only He can give. The Bible makes this plain: you must be born again to enter God’s Kingdom (John 3:3). Receiving Jesus is the decisive yes to the God who loves you enough to pursue you.

What does “born again” really mean?

Being “born again” refers to spiritual rebirth—the transformation of your inner life by the Holy Spirit. Jesus told Nicodemus that you must be born again to see the kingdom of God, pointing to a change deeper than behavior: a regenerated heart (John 3:3). This isn’t about becoming a better version of yourself by willpower. It’s about God coming to live in you and making everything new.

The new birth brings a renewed relationship with God and a reorientation of your life. Jesus explained that this new birth comes from water and the Spirit, emphasizing the spiritual reality of God’s work in you (John 3:5). When you receive Jesus, the Spirit begins His work of sanctifying, guiding, and producing Christlike character in you.

What it means to “receive Jesus as Lord and Savior”

To receive Jesus as Lord and Savior means two things at once: you recognize Jesus as your Savior—who rescues you from sin—and you acknowledge Him as Lord—who is in charge of your life. The Bible’s description of salvation includes both belief and confession: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9-10). That’s not religious language for a private feeling; it’s the posture of trusting Jesus for your rescue and choosing to follow His leadership.

When you make Jesus your Savior, you admit you need rescue because of sin, and you accept His sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sin. When you make Jesus your Lord, you submit your life to His authority and commit to living under His way, not merely your own. Both elements—salvation and lordship—are essential, and they belong together.

The simple Gospel: what you need to know

The Gospel is straightforward but profound: God loves you, you’re separated from God by sin, Jesus died and rose again to pay your penalty and offer you new life, and by faith you receive that gift. The apostle Paul clearly tells you that faith in Christ, expressed in honest confession and belief, is the pathway to salvation (Romans 10:9-10). Acts gives the same invitation: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household” (Acts 16:31). The Bible doesn’t make salvation a matter of complicated ceremonies or endless qualifications; it’s a gift received by faith.

How repentance and receiving work together

Repentance and receiving Christ go hand in hand. Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God. It’s a change of mind and heart that produces a new direction in life. You don’t make yourself right with God by good deeds; you repent and believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection make you right before God.

To receive Jesus is also to receive the forgiveness He offers by grace. The Bible says you become God’s child when you accept Christ: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). When you welcome Christ into your life, you enter a living relationship with the Father through the Son and experience the Holy Spirit’s presence.

The moment of decision: practical pointers

When you decide to receive Christ, it helps to be clear, honest, and specific. You can pray in your own words, telling God that you believe Jesus died for your sins and rose again, asking Him to forgive you, and inviting Jesus to be the Lord of your life. The Bible promises that when you confess and believe, salvation is real and immediate (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31).

Practice helps: speak out your faith, confess Jesus publicly if possible, and tell someone who will rejoice with you. The moment you receive Christ is personal and sacred; it’s also meant to be shared because Christian faith grows in community.

A clear prayer to pray now

Below is a simple prayer you can pray if you’re ready to receive Jesus. Pray it sincerely from your heart; God knows the heart and responds to genuine faith. If you choose to pray these words, mean them, and then take the practical next steps after the prayer.

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose again. Right now, I turn from my sin, and I invite you to come into my life. I receive you as my Savior, and I make you the Lord of my life. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me a new life. Help me follow you every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

This prayer expresses essential Christian truths: recognition of sin, belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection, repentance, receiving Christ, and submission to His lordship. The Bible affirms that when you believe and confess Jesus, salvation is yours (Romans 10:9-10). If you’ve prayed this prayer, welcome—this is how to be born again step 5, in a living, powerful way.

What changes the moment you receive Jesus

When you receive Jesus, several profound realities begin immediately in your life. You are forgiven, adopted into God’s family, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Scripture declares that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, so you can rest in God’s gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). The moment you believe, your spiritual status changes: you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). That newness doesn’t mean you’re perfect overnight, but it does mean your identity and destiny are transformed.

You also receive the Holy Spirit, who begins the lifelong work of making you more like Jesus. The Spirit comforts you, convicts you, guides you, and empowers you to live the Christian life. This transformation is progressive—God works in you over time (sanctification) even as He has already declared you righteous (justification) through faith.

How to be sure: assurance of salvation

It’s normal to wonder if your decision was real. The Bible gives you reasons for assurance: God’s promises, the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, and the fruits of a changed life. Jesus said those who receive Him become children of God (John 1:12). The apostle Paul speaks of a new creation and a new reality that begins the moment you are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

You can have confidence because salvation is not based on your perfection but on Christ’s finished work. The Holy Spirit bears witness with your spirit that you are God’s child. If you’ve genuinely repented and received Jesus, you have the assurance of forgiveness and eternal life (1 John 5:11-13).

What to do right after you pray

After you pray to receive Christ, here are the practical next steps you should take immediately to help your faith grow and to connect with the body of Christ.

First, tell someone you trust—ideally a pastor or a mature Christian—so they can celebrate with you and help you next. The early church recognized new believers openly; Acts records conversions followed by community and discipleship (Acts 16:31).

Second, get baptized. Baptism is a public testimony and a biblical step of obedience that follows conversion. It’s not what saves you, but it’s the way you identify with Jesus’ death and resurrection publicly. Third, find a local church where you can be discipled, serve, and grow in Scripture. The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone.

Finally, begin reading the Bible and praying daily. Start with the Gospel of John to get to know Jesus personally, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and apply what you read. Ephesians reminds you that salvation is a gift—embrace it and grow into it through Word and prayer (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Common questions people ask at this step

You might have questions or doubts—and that’s normal. Let’s address a few common ones succinctly.

• What if I don’t feel anything after I pray? Feelings are not the proof of salvation. The promise of God and the reality of faith are the proof. Trust God’s Word even when your emotions lag (Romans 10:9-10).
• Do I have to be perfect now? No. You are saved from the penalty of sin and set on a journey of becoming more like Christ. Sanctification is a process, not a one-time emotional makeover.
• What if I mess up or sin again? Confession and repentance are part of the Christian life. God’s grace covers you; when you confess, God is faithful to forgive and restore (1 John 1:9). The key is returning to God quickly.

If you still have doubts, talk with a trusted Christian leader who can walk with you through Scripture and prayer. Receiving Christ is the starting point for a lifelong relationship, not a one-time test you must pass alone.

Your identity in Christ: immediate and future hope

The moment you receive Jesus, your identity is radically recast. You move from being lost to being found, from enemy to child, from condemned to forgiven. Romans declares that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). That reality provides both immediate comfort and eternal hope.

You also gain the promise of eternal life when you believe. This isn’t only a ticket to heaven someday; it’s a present reality where God begins to shape your life now. The apostle John wrote so you would know you have eternal life if you believe in the Son of God (1 John 5:11-13). That assurance is a foundation for living with courage and purpose.

How to be born again step 5: practical examples

Putting this into real life: imagine you’ve been feeling empty and searching for meaning. You learn that Jesus offers a personal rescue, you believe He died and rose again, you say the prayer of faith and invite Him in, and you start living differently—loving more, serving more, and trusting God more. That decision is precisely how to be born again step 5 in practice. It’s not complicated, but it is decisive.

Another example: perhaps you grew up in church but never personally received Christ. Step 5 is your personal yes. Even if you were baptized as a child, an adult decision to receive Christ as Lord and Savior is still necessary and transformative. This is how to be born again step 5: by personally receiving Jesus, not by relying on someone else’s faith.

Growing after you receive Christ

Receiving Jesus is the start. Growth involves regular spiritual disciplines and community. Read the Bible daily, pray often, join a small group, get baptized, serve in a local church, and find a mentor. These practices help you mature and carry out the mission God has for you. The Christian life is meant to be lived in fellowship, not isolation, and your spiritual growth will accelerate when you commit to these practices.

Also, be patient with yourself. Spiritual maturity often happens slowly and through ordinary choices. Celebrate progress, not perfection. The Spirit is at work in you, and as you cooperate, you’ll experience transformation over time.

How to be born again step 5: tell others and celebrate

Once you’ve received Christ, share your story. Telling others about what Jesus has done for you is one of the most faithful and natural responses. It encourages others and strengthens your own faith. The early church shared the good news, and that’s how entire families and communities were transformed (Acts 16:31). Celebrate with fellow believers who can pray with you, baptize you, and help you grow.

How to be born again, step 5: a final encouragement

If you’ve prayed and asked Jesus to come into your life, welcome. Remember that salvation is God’s gift to you by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). You don’t earn it; you receive it. If you’re still thinking about it and aren’t sure, know that God is patient and invites you to take that step now. Trust Him. Follow Him. The decision you make today can transform the rest of your life.

Closing prayer for your next step

Let me pray for you briefly in these words you can read silently or aloud:

“Father, thank you for your love. If this reader has prayed to receive Jesus today, I thank you for the new life you have given. Guide them to community, to Scripture, and to faithful leaders who will help them grow. Assure them of your presence and fill them with your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, congratulations—you’ve taken how to be born again step 5 and entered into a living relationship with Christ. Take the next practical steps: tell someone, get baptized, and find a church family to help you grow.

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👉 Faith Over Fear: How To Stand Strong In Uncertain Seasons

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