What Should A New Believer Do?
I was
born again in 2010, but I was not living a victorious Christian life, and
neither was I growing spiritually. I had no spiritual guidance and counselling.
I had no idea of what to do next. I only did my best getting busy with
Christian activities. It did not take long before I fell back to my old ways.
However, by the mercies of God, later on I was guided properly. If you're
experiencing same, this post is for you. Maybe you've fallen into your old
ways, but it's never too late.
-Baptism
in the name of our Lord Jesus:
Baptism
is significant of our burial with Christ into death from sin, and a raising up
into the newness of life. If you have not been baptized, I encourage you to do
so. This in no wise does not mean you are not truly born again. However, it is
the principle of the doctrine of Christ. Romans 6:3-4, "Or don’t you
know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his
death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order
that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,
we too may live a new life."
Read
also: Acts 2:41,19:5, Hebrews 5:1
-Infilling
of the Holy Spirit:
The
greatest thing that God has done for us is to give us the Holy Spirit. The Holy
Spirit is the Almighty Spirit of God. He’s the One Who communicates the
presence of God. The Holy Spirit makes us children of God (see Romans 8:16).
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity revealed to the Christian.
He is one with the Father and the Son (see 1 John 5:7). He is neither less
important nor less powerful. He is God and co-equal with the Father and the
Son. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian is so vital.
This is why Paul, by the Spirit, gave us this all-important charge to
continually be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18, “Be not drunk with
wine but be filed with the Spirit.”
Read
also Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-48, Acts 8:12-17, Acts 19:1-6
-Steadfastness
in fellowship with believers:
It is
important that you fellowship with believers. This will keep you accountable
and growing. As you fellowship with believers, you will learn more, experience
love and the joy of fellowship. A family stays together, and we are all
brothers and sisters in Christ. Always remember this illustration: A tree
cannot make a forest alone. Acts 2:41, “Many of them
believed his message and were baptized, and about 3,000 people were added to
the group that day. They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking
part in the fellowship…”
Read
also Hebrews 10:25, Ephesians 4:16, 1 Cor. 12:12-27
-Steadfastness
in the study of the word of God
The
word of God is the basic building block in a Christian’s life. You must
earnestly desire the word of God and esteem it above all else. Spend sufficient
time in the study of the word of God. Give priority to time spent in the study
of the word of God so that you will know God better and better.
1
Peter 2:2, “Be like newborn babies, always thirsty for the pure spiritual milk
which is the word of God, so that you will grow up.”
Read
also: Acts 20:32, Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
-Steadfastness
in prayers
Prayer
is the lifeline of the believer. It is our means of communicating with God. We
respond to God in prayer. The most accurate measure of your spiritual life is
your prayer life. Therefore, you must give heed and diligence to prayer. Most
importantly, pray in the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray at all times.”
Read
also Ephesians 6:18, Acts 2:42, Jude 1:20, Luke 18:1-8
-The
discipline of fasting
Fasting
is an important spiritual discipline that helps you grow spiritually. When you
fast, it is not about hunger strike, but a way of denying yourself certain
pleasures such as food in order to be with God and commune with him in prayer,
worship and study of the word. Fasting helps to increase your spiritual
sensitivity. That is to say, your body is weakened and your spirit is more
alive unto God. Job 23:12, “…I have
esteemed Thy word more than my necessary food.”
Read
also Acts 13:1-2, Daniel 9:1-4
-Discipleship
Even
though the concept of discipleship is gradually fading away or being misused, I
must tell you that it is very important. Just like a new born baby needs his
parents, guardians or elder siblings to take care of him, same goes
spiritually. When you are born again, you are born as an infant into the
kingdom of God no matter how old you are physically. Thus, you will need a more
mature believer to guide you in the walk of faith. This is what we refer to as
discipleship. I encourage you to prayerfully ask the Lord to send you such a
person. Galatians
4:1-2, “Now I
say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant,
though he be lord of all, but is under tutors and governors who take care of
him and manage his affairs until the time set by his father.”
Read
also Acts 11:25, Titus 1:4, 2:3-4
-Spiritual
gifts
I
encourage you to develop your spiritual gifts. This is no wise asking you to
take up a leadership position in church. I will rather encourage you to sit
down and learn and grow. In fact, the Bible discourages new believers being
given leadership positions in church (see 1 Timothy 3:1-6). However, the Holy
Spirit has given us each spiritual gifts. Do not neglect yours. Use it to serve
the body of Christ. 1 Timothy 4:14, “Do not neglect the
spiritual gift that is in you…”
Read
also 1 Corinthians 12:1-14, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Peter 4:11
Always
remember: THE GOAL OF OUR SALVATION IS TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST
“For
whom he did foreknow, He also predestinate to be conformed to the image of His
Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren”
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