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So you go to church on Sundays. You've been brought up in a Christian home. Mom and Dad take yo to church every week. You pray at meals, and Mom and Dad even talk about God around the house once in a while. That makes you a Christian right?? Wrong. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going into a barn once a week would make you a cow. You have to be born a calf to be a cow. And you have to be born again to be a Christian. That's what John the Baptist told the religious people who came to hear him. Don't talk about your parents. Only your OWN personal faith in Christ counts. Why not trust Him now huh?
New Christian? Want a refresher?
It is funny how some people do not understand christianity. People think that if you believe in God,that is enough. People think that if you believe yet you do not change your ways, you still go out and do all the same bad things, do not put your trust in Jesus, and totally live ones life for themselves instead of for God, then one can still get to heaven. Is believing really enough? Satan also 'believes' in God.
This said, no one is sinless. Everyone commits wrong! There is not one single person on this earth that hasn't lied, said the Lord's name in vain at one point in their life, yelled at their brother/sister or fought with a parent. But that is why Jesus did what He did. Jesus was sinless. He never did wrong, He was God's own son, and being so, He was the pure, spotless lamb. A living sacrifice who died, not for doing wrong, but to let us live! Jesus was put on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven. So that if we only believe, love and trust in God we may go to heaven. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him may not perish, but have everlasting life. Isn't that awesome!? What a father!!
If you are saying "It's too late! I've done way too much bad stuff in my life, there is no point in following God because I've done so much bad stuff it wont do any good.." You are wrong! It is NEVER too late! John 6:64-65 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. God knows each and every one of us, inside and out. He knows what we think, He knows what we have done, and He knows what we are going to do. He created us! Whatever you have done can never be so bad that the Lord God would not forgive you. He loves you, for you, like all others are His child. Jesus was his child, so are you.
All you need to do is ask for forgiveness, SAY IT LIKE YA MEAN IT DUDE!!
Before all else though, you can't forget the major step. Most important, more important than breakfast and an apple a day, more important than saying I love you to your mother, is letting Jesus into your heart. Jesus said John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If you don't have Jesus in your heart, meaning not wanting Him to be a part of you, how can you have God, how can you get to heaven? John 5:23-24 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Jesus is your ticket to heaven! Hop on the train! It is the coolest place to be.
You hear people talking about what God has done for them, and how they have asked for something from God and have gotten it. You say "Yeah right. That isn't true, that wont happen to me, maybe it's coincidence.." There is no coincidences my friend. Jesus said Himself! John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If you truely love God, and you ask Jesus, He will give it to you! Jesus knows all of our needs, all He wants is for you to trust in Him. Sound good? Forget luck, forget your superstitions, forget wishing on a star. God knows what you need, and if you love Him and trust in Him, the Lord will provide. Another important thing to realise is that life isn't easy. Nope not even for Christians. God gives us trials in life but thats not to make you worry if you really are saved (going to heaven, having eternal life [john3:16]to be with Christ when you die) or not. Trials are actually there to make us stronger and to better our relationship with Christ. We are to seek devine guidance and if the situation still seems to turn out disastrously, we are not to be cast down but to expect that in some way God will make the disaster a blessing to us. Nothing that ever comes upon us in our life can ever be too much for us to handle. As is said in 1Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. See? If you humble yourself before the Lord and say that you can't do it on your own, He will take over and provide a way out of the nasty situation, possibly, if not definitly turning the situation into something awesome James 5:6 God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Also, James 1:12 says God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him Is God testing you lately? He wants to see if you love him. Have you failed? Don't worry; he still loves you--enough to keep testing you until you finally pass! Always remember my favorite verse in the bible! It's John 16:33 which states: These things I say to you that in me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world. Praise God!
God wants you to obey Him now that you have Him in your life of course. John 14:15 If you love me, Keep my commands. As said before, everyone sins, yet in order to have these sins forgiven, you should also not want to commit them. Remember the old saying 'Think before you act'? Place that here. "I know you shouldn't murder" you say, "I know you shouldn't commit adultry, but why does this have to be all about God's commands? It's also the law." What about not making someone else an idol. That is a command of God. Idolization is something God despises. "Do not make anyone an idol" He says. "You should not have any other god's before me." American Idol? Canadian Idol? I think they need to substitude that word for something else.. But it is more then changing the word that is needed. So now you are thinking, "so I can't have a favorite singer??" HA! NO NO NO, I didn't say that! That's fine. Just don't WORSHIP someone just because they are sooo cool. God is the only one worthy of praise, look what the Lord has done!
NOW, who wants to go out and let people know about this?? :) Never be shy to ask questions either! Everyone you come to, say your Pastor, Elder in a church, or a christian friend will love talking about God with you! You can always email me as well and I will gladly talk to you anytime. Hey, I don't know all the answers, but I know someone who does!! JESUS!! :D Now thats the end of this for now, go on and spread the word, and as He said, Arise, let us go hence.
O.K.! NEW CHRISTIAN....WHAT NOW?
by Elmer G. Magnussen
If you are a new Christian, there are some very important things you need to know. First, you need to know exactly what has happened to you. Second, you need to know God's provisions for your future growth and service to Him.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED?
Your acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Son of God and coming to Him is the
work of the Holy Spirit. Whatever words you used or however you prayed, if
you somehow confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and committed your life to Him,
you were responding to the urging of the Spirit of God. For "no one can
say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:3).
Jesus said that "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws
him; and I will raise him up on the last day" (John 6:44).
So, in all things may God be glorified! This is an occasion to praise Him
for patiently wooing you, drawing you, planting seeds of thought over the
years and shaping circumstances that you might come to recognize and know
Him, the Source of life. He has made you the recipient of His grace, or
"unmerited favor" (Ephesians 2:8,9). As you realize what He has done for
you, just stop listening to me for a few moments and thank and praise our
wonderful Father!
When by faith you received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, many wonderful
and exciting things happened to you. All your sins were forgiven by Jesus'
taking all your punishment upon Himself. You are accepted by God because of
what Jesus did. You now have peace with God and are saved from His wrath
against the rebellion and sinfulness of humanity.
"Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peach with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ...the love of God has been poured out
within our hearts...have now been justified by His blood, we shall be
saved from the wrath of God through Him" (Romans 5:1,5,9)>
You have experienced a new birth, a spiritual birth. You have been "born
again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead" (1 Peter 1:3). You have been born into God's family and are a child
of God (John 1:12). And as His child, you are an heir of God and fellow-
heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). Jesus told us, "Do not be afraid, little
flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom" (Luke
12:32). What a wonderful, loving Father we have! And what a wonderful
Savior, who gave Himself as a ransom for you and now shares His Father's
kingdom with you as a fellow-heir and calls you "friend" (John 15:15).
You have become a temple or dwelling place of God's Spirit. You see,
through the act of salvation God not only assures us of a future dwelling in
a wonderful place called heaven, but for the present He makes His dwelling
place in us. We become His vessels of expression on the earth. Yes, a
mystery, called by the Apostle Paul "... the mystery which has been hidden
from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His
saints, ... which is Christ in
you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:26,27). As we yield to God's Spirit
and allow Him to live His life through us, we can even say with Paul, "it is
no longer 1 who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).
FAITH VS. FEELING
God's grace is free, and you receive it by faith (Ephesians 2:8,9) -- an
ingenious method that only God's wisdom could devise. Thus, it does not
depend on intelligence, sex, age, social status, or good deeds; otherwise,
people's abilities to be saved might vary. Everyone has the same ability to
exercise faith.
Neither does grace depend on feelings. We live in a physical body, and
feelings are affected by fatigue, diet, and other factors. Also, our
emotional makeup varies. Salvation is by faith, an act of our will,
entrusting our life to Him. Feelings will follow as we learn to experience
God's love, joy, and peace; but do not let your varying fleshly feelings
affect your assurance of God's unswerving grace: "... the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and
delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20).
WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE
In spite of our sin, we are recipients of God's amazing grace. "What shall
we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it
never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1,2).
The Bible makes it clear that we should no longer sin. Yet, it recognizes
the imperfection of our present state and tells us of God's provision. The
Apostle John wrote in his first epistle that we might not sin, but,
paradoxically, he recognized that "if we say we have no sin, we are
deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). God's
provision is that if anyone does sin, "... we have an Advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1), and "If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
New Christian, it's as simple as this: do not sin, because sin grieves
God's spirit, breaks your fellowship with Him, and hurts yourself and
others. But if you should, quickly confess it to God and receive
forgiveness and cleansing. Then determine, with God's help, to avoid such
sin in the future.
Equally important -- once you have confessed your sin, press forward and
never look back on what God has forgiven and forgotten. Satan, who is
called the "accuser" and a "thief," will try to rob you of your confidence
in God's forgiveness. But God says that "There is therefore now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Believe God.
Rest in Him!
WHAT NEXT?
God knows you and loves you as a unique person. He has a unique plan and
purpose for your life, and He will lead and guide you in a special way that
will apply to no other person. He will unfold much to you in the weeks and
months ahead. But to begin with, there are a few basic things you should
do.
Pray
Prayer is talking to God, and listening to Him. Even though He is invisible
to the natural eye, He is still a real Person. Knowing someone and
fellowshipping with someone requires two-way communication. So praying to,
or communicating with God is quite natural for a Christian. Yet, it is an
act of faith because we cannot see Him, and faith pleases God.
Prayer can be praise, worship, thanksgiving, and petition for yourself and
others. He wants to hear from your heart. He wants you to just be honest,
open, and unpretending. How awesome to talk to Someone who knows you
through and through! Yet, how relaxing. No need for pretending. All masks
are removed. And He still loves us!
Pray throughout the day as situations arise and as the Spirit prompts. A
quiet time without distractions in a private location is also advisable.
If you are burdened with a matter and do not know how to pray with your
mind, let God's Spirit intercede for you. "The Spirit also helps our
weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit
Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; ... He
intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:26,27).
Read and meditate upon God's Word.
God has given us His Word, the Bible. "All Scripture is inspired by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for corrections, for training in
righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).
God speaks to us through the Bible. He reveals Himself, His ways, and His
purposes for mankind and for us individually. Sometimes He will emphasize
one passage of Scripture directly to your heart to meet a specific need.
The Bible does not necessarily have to be read in order, straight from front
to back. Some suggest starting with the Gospel of John in the New Testament
for insight into the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is like getting to
know the author before reading the book!
You may prefer the King James Version, but to aid understanding and study, a
modern translation is also recommended, such as the New American Standard
Bible.
Pray before you read God's Word. Meditate on it. Reread and memorize as
God leads.
Remember, this is not just an exercise. Jesus said that His words are
spirit and life (John 6:63). God's words are actually "living and active
and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of
soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow ..." (Hebrews 4:12). God also
says that "they are life to those who find them, and health to all their
whole body" (Proverbs 4:22).
Become a part of a local church.
All Christians are part of God's overall church, the Body of Christ, in the
broad sense. In addition, God wants you to be a part of a specific group of
believers in what is sometimes called the local church. God says that we
should not forsake "our own assembling together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing
near" (Hebrews 10:25).
God has ordained the church with people with special callings and talents,
such as pastors and teachers. It is a place where you can hear the Word of
God taught and find pastoral guidance and help. Together, believers
encourage and build up one another. The gifts of the Spirit are manifested
in the corporate Body. We can be a blessing to others as we are blessed.
This is God's family in action and is His desire and purpose.
Ask God to lead you to the church of His choice for you, and He will. The
true test of His church is whether Jesus Christ is honored as Lord and the
Bible is honored as God's Word.
Beware of false cults. Typical characteristics of a cult may include:
placing Jesus Christ as less than or not equal to God the Father; a revered
book other than or in addition to the Bible; an undue emphasis on one
person, leader, or founder; and emphasis on salvation by works rather than
by grace through faith; and being controlled by and forcing service to the
organization or leader rather than voluntary service to the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Live for Him.
"He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for
themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf"
(2 Corinthians 5:15). This means that as you have confessed
Jesus Christ as Lord, then let Him be Lord of your life, your
time, your family, your talents, and your finances. In doing
so, you will not only please the Lord, but you will be allowing
Him to bless you and use you as He desires.
(Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible or the King
James Version.)
Rev. Elmer Magnussen is Pastor of Evangelism and Discipleship at the McLean
Bible Church, McLean, Virginia.
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