Don’t let anyone tell you what to believe concerning your salvation. Now before my friends start throwing stones at me, I haven’t lost my mind. I’m not telling people that whatever they believe is alright. I’m not saying that you can claim Christ as Lord and live for Satan. I’m not teaching Universalism.
I’m merely suggesting that you should read the Bible for yourself. Find a good version of the Holy Bible such as the King James Version, New King James Version, ESV, NRSV or (old) NIV. I know a lot of people will disagree with me, but I don’t care which one of the major versions you read, the main thing is to read the Bible – read it every day.
God’s Word is living (Revelation 19:13). The Bible is powerful and inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). If you sincerely read the Bible and ask God to show you that it is real, I believe with all my heart He will show you. The key is not to read it in a challenging way, but to read it honestly, sincerely, begging God to show you His Truth, His Way. He will reveal Jesus Christ to you through the Holy Spirit.
If you really want to know if Christianity is real, if it is the only way, if it is true, start with the book of John. Then go back to the beginning of the New Testament and read the gospels Matthew through Luke. If you are sincerely searching for God I am convinced He will reveal Himself to you.
God will convict you of your sin and He will show you that you are desperately lost on your own and that there is nothing you can do to save yourself. He will reveal how your sinful nature is an affront to Him. God will reveal to you that not only are you separated from Him now, you will be separated from Him for all of eternity. God will show you that Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross for guilty sinners. He will open your eyes to your need for a savior and you will realize that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).
The gospels will reveal to you that you need to repent from your sins by turning away from them and put your full trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. God will convict you that you need to surrender fully to Jesus. Repentance is not a works based system. Salvation is from God and Him alone. You and I can’t earn our salvation. Repentance starts with your heart.
Read the Bible everyday and God will reveal His mysteries to you. But don’ take my word for it, read the Bible for yourself. Read the Bible and God will convict your conscience. Then after you are converted – keep reading the Bible. Our gracious Father never stops teaching us from His Word. Read the Bible and you will believe and be saved.