It is an unhappy situation when a person proclaims himself to have become a Christian but has no follow-through or a demonstration of a new spiritual condition. It is likewise an unhappy situation when the church rejoices that a person has become a Christian but does not follow through with that spiritual support so needed for the babe in Christ. It is extremely important for the new convert, under the guidance of the church, to learn and apply your responsibilities to God.
Besides calling yourself a Christian, what does it mean in your personal life? We are part of an assembly as a newborn that has been enrolled in God’s Book of Life. A person that has laid his life down before the cross becomes a changed person. (Peter 2: 9,10) It is an obligation before God that we live righteously reflecting our claims. (Titus 2: 11-14) In short, a new Christian must follow in the footsteps of those other devotees to express a desire to live worthy of the call that God has placed on your life.
We must begin with the basics. Even though you may not understand the Bible to any extent, you would be wise to read it regularly allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you. The first lesson is to keep in mind that we all have lived lives as sinners. (Romans 3:23) Therefore, any person that claims to be a Christian must confess their faith in Christ. God expects us to be baptized by immersion indicating the burial of the old person and rising from the water as a new person. (Romans 6:4) This is the public sign of your faith. You do not have to be baptized to be a Christian because baptism does not make you a Christian. However, if it is your intention to live wholly for God, you will be obedient and water baptism is your first effort to profess the faith you claim. By becoming a Christian, you are a member of the body of Christ, a citizen of God’s Kingdom, and a child in the family of God.
The church is the only institution God has assigned the duty of reaching out to others, called evangelizing. Assuming you are grateful for your salvation, you will then want to share that with someone else and encourage them to follow your example. As you serve God, you will also worship as a changed condition of your mind and heart. Worship includes singing which is a way to confirm doctrine and faith in your life. At church, invest yourself in the prayers offered during worship. To be obedient to Christ’s instructions, another way to testify of your faith is to participate in communion or otherwise called the Lord’s Supper. Giving in the offering is part of worship. It is an expression of your appreciation for all that God has provided you in this world.
Make a promise to yourself to conduct your behavior and all your personal relationships and activities to support your claim to be a Christian. This claim must include the qualities found in the service to God and as an example to mankind. The challenge to all of us is to be virtuous, to strive for more knowledge, to demonstrate self-control, be patient with others, to express kindness which is a spirit of love. You may not be able to assume these things immediately. This is part of your personal spiritual growth. As you read the Bible you will find that there are express behaviors that are forbidden by believers. Remember that you are a representative of Christ. Be determined, to include God in all things you do. Paul summarized these things by saying, “abstain from every form of evil.” (First Thessalonians 5:22) Avoid looking at the Bible as a rulebook. It is God’s love letter to you. It is a roadmap to follow through this life. It is a confirmation from God himself for who you are in his sight. It is a book of principles for how the Kingdom of God operates.
Be certain that you demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit which are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) As a newborn babe in Christ it must be your goal to turn away from the world and no longer love it or the things in it. Instead, because the Holy Spirit has touched your heart you will seek to honor God in all that you do and bring glory to his name in every way possible. Be aware Christ wants to perfect you, ground you in the faith, and strengthen you against all that the adversary would use to defeat you. Live the kind of life in which it could be said that God is proud of you!
Christian Writer 