Some of the blessings you have received
Now that you have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, a real change has happened in your life. Jesus Christ has received you and you are in a completely new position.
- You are a child of God
To all who received him (Jesus Christ), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12). - You have received the Spirit of God
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us (1 Corinthians 2:12). - Your sins are forgiven
All the prophets testify about him (Jesus Christ) that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name (Acts 10:43). - You have passed from death to life
Jesus Christ says, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24); (see also 1 John 3:14). - You have received eternal life as a gift
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). - You will not come into condemnation
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Principles for Christian growth
Now that you are a Christian you must no longer follow sinful ways but serve Jesus Christ. Walking with Jesus means to say ‘no’ to anything that is sinful, also to your own sinful desires. This can be a real battle, but God provides strength and help. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). That is why it is important to sincerely follow the biblical principles such as:
- Read your Bible daily
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11).
Study to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). - Spend time in God’s presence, pray regularly and personally
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalm 103:2).
Then Jesus told his disciples that they should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1).
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7) - Resist temptation
When tempted, no-one should say, God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed (James 1:13-14).
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction (1 Timothy 6:9).
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 (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Mark 14:38).
We do not have a high priest (Jesus Christ) who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). - When you have fallen in sin, confess it
When you have wronged someone, confess it to the person concerned, if possible. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Proverbs 28:13). - Meet regularly with other Christians
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16).
If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7). - Be a witness and serve the Lord
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Jesus said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you“ (Mark 5:19).
Jesus says, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).
Even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
This is a trustworthy saying and I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone (Titus 3:8).
But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown (Matthew 13:23). - You should be baptized
Baptism is a confession of faith. You are not saved by baptism, but when baptised you confess openly that you belong to Christ and no longer to Satan. You also confess that you are a new being in Christ and that you want to have nothing to do with sin anymore.
So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:48).
Tom M. Oson, adapted P.K.
*If you are not yet a “true” Christian, or just a Christian by name, read the Gospel of John and seek help from a devoted Christian leader. We suggest you sign up for a Bible correspondence course. Write to us for a copy.