If you’ve recently chosen to follow Christ, you probably have a lot of questions and that’s completely normal. Here, we break down a few of the most common questions new believers ask as they begin their faith journey.


1. Assurance vs. Performance:

Am I Really Saved?

If you believe in your heart and mind that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior—that He died for your sins, rose again, and now sits at the right hand of God having obtained eternal salvation for you—then no, you do not have to worry about losing your salvation when you slip up. Salvation is not based on your performance or how you feel on any given morning; it is based entirely on what you believe and have faith in. Salvation is a gift from God. It isn’t earned by your good deeds, nor is it canceled out by your struggles with sin. God accepts us exactly as we are. While it is important to repent and maintain a heart that is truly sorry when we mess up, remember this: once you believe, you are securely saved


What happens if I keep sinning?

We all sin and that is exactly why we need God’s grace and mercy. If you find yourself continually tempted by a specific habit, the first step is to look at your environment and try to remove the triggers.
Think of it like a health journey: if you have a weakness for hamburgers but know they are bad for your health, you shouldn’t visit websites that sell them. If your route home takes you right past a burger joint, see if you can choose an alternative path.
Pray daily for strength, and if you fail, pray for forgiveness, clear your conscience, and start the next day as a new man or woman. If you can’t quit instantly, focus on gradual progress. If you eat burgers every day, try cutting down to every other day, then once a week, until you eventually give them up altogether. Change takes time. If you slip up, don’t lose heart God forgives you. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward.

I have sinned too long, or done things that are unforgivable. I am not worthy.

If you truly repent with your heart, God knows it. There is no sinner He shuns if they come to Him, repent, and ask for forgiveness. God is always willing to forgive and save His children. Go ahead and tell Him you are sorry, and truly mean it. You will be forgiven.
No one is “worthy” of salvation on their own that is exactly why it is a gift of grace. You haven’t out-sinned God’s love, and you haven’t run out the clock on His mercy.

2. I want to start reading the bible but what bible cause there are so many and where do I start?

Choosing your first Bible and knowing where to open it can feel incredibly overwhelming because there are so many options. Here is a simple, stress-free roadmap to get you started.

1. Pick the Right Version for You
If you are young, completely new to faith, or just want a quick grasp of the big picture, start with a Children’s or Storybook Bible. This introduces you to the main figures, the major historical events, and the overarching story of how God interacts with humanity in a simple, highly engaging format.

When you feel ready to move to a standard Bible, the best version for a beginner is the NIV (New International Version).
The Balance: It is the most popular modern translation in the world for a reason. It strikes a great balance between remaining accurate to the original ancient text and using clear, easy-to-read modern English prose.

Pro-Tip: Get a Study Bible (like the NIV Study Bible). These have footnotes, maps, and cultural context at the bottom of every page, which makes a massive difference when you hit a confusing passage.

2. Where to Open the Book
You don’t have to read the Bible straight from cover to cover like a normal book. Instead, try one of these two starting strategies:

Option A: The Gospel of John (Highly Recommended)
The Gospel of John (found in the New Testament) is the single best starting point for most people. It is short enough to finish in just a few sittings, central to the whole message of the Bible, and tells a genuinely compelling narrative about the life and purpose of Jesus.

Option B: From the Beginning (With a Shortcut)
If you really want to start at page one with Genesis, go for it! You will get the famous stories of creation, Noah, and Abraham. However, once you finish Genesis and Exodus, skip the heavy “law books” (like Leviticus and Numbers) for now. You can always come back to those later once you have a firmer footing.

The Golden Rule: The best Bible is the one you actually read. Don’t worry about understanding every single verse perfectly right away—just focus on getting to know the story.

3. How can I be saved? Are there steps I should follow?

Salvation is not about checking off a rigid checklist or earning your way into heaven. It is a free gift of grace from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible outlines a simple, beautiful path to receiving this gift, which you can think of as four essential steps:

1. Acknowledge the Need (Admit)
Before we can accept a Savior, we have to realize why we need one. The Bible tells us that everyone has fallen short of God’s perfect standard.
The Scripture: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
What it means: Sin simply means missing the mark. Acknowledging our sin is the first step of humility before God.

2. Believe in Jesus Christ (Believe)
Salvation is entirely centered on who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross.
The Scripture: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
What it means: Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died to pay the penalty for your sins, and that He rose from the dead, defeating death.

3. Repent and Turn to God (Repent)
Repentance sounds like a heavy word, but it literally means “to change your mind” or change direction.
The Scripture: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…” (Acts 3:19)
What it means: It is a heartfelt decision to turn away from running your own life and living in sin, and choosing instead to turn toward God and follow Him.

4. Confess Him as Lord (Confess)
Faith isn’t just an internal thought; it is something we actively declare and claim.
The Scripture: “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.” (Romans 10:9)
What it means: Proudly claiming Jesus as your Savior and the new leader of your life.

A Note for the Reader: If you are ready to take these steps, you can talk to God right now in prayer. There are no “magic words”God cares about the sincerity of your heart. You can pray something as simple as this:
“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn away from my sins and invite Jesus to come into my heart and life as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for your gift of eternal life. Amen.”