#11 "I am trying to become a Christian."
The cause of this misconception is the failure to realize the supernaturality of becoming a Christian.
Being born again and being saved is being a Christian. And both are humanly impossible. No one can bring himself forth anew and no one can save himself from sin. It takes the supernatural power of God in the Gospel (see Romans 1:16) to effect these in one's life.
It is God who makes genuine Christians since it is God who saves and makes one born again into His family. Even living the Christian life after one has become a Christian is the fruit of the Spirit (see Gal. 5:22-23). It is supernaturally produced.
How then can one become a Christian? It is not by trying, not by self-effort but by trusting in Christ Jesus. When a sinner trusts in the Savior and what He did on the cross for salvation, it is then that God transforms him into a new creature---a Christian.
A dog can only become a man, not by trying, but by being actually a man, though this is impossible to the dog. A man can only become an angel, not by trying, but by being actually an angel, though this is impossible to him.
In the same way, a sinner can only become a new creature, a Christian, not by trying, but by being actually a new creature through faith in Christ.
