We have published “What new converts to Christianity should know about themselves”. We here follow it up with what they should do in order to strengthen and grow in their faith. Old time Christians would also find it useful.
1.
Settle
the matter in your heart that you are a child of God BECAUSE you believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Settle it in your heart that,
based on His promises in the Bible, God has saved you by His grace. This
assurance, which comes from an inner conviction and outward transformation,
would propel you to live for God and serve Him faithfully. Let it be a deep
anchor of faith in your heart, unshaken by circumstances. Hebrews 6. 19 – 20; 1st John 5. 13.
2.
Praise
God always. Learn to sing praises to God, be they hymns or choruses. This
lifts your spirit and tunes you heavenward. It is also a very good way of
appreciating God. Songs must be meaningful and glorifying to God, and not
merely a ‘christianized’ version of some worldly vogue. Psalm 47. 6 – 7.
3.
Pray
always. This is the only way you can talk to God. Mornings and evenings are
good times to pray, but prayer should
not be limited to those times only. Tell God about the journey you want to
make, the food you want to eat, the one you love, the aching head, and, well,
if you recently blew your top, let Him know it too. He understands, even if He
does not permit it. Be real in prayer. Ask for what you need as well as for
what others need too. Always remember to thank God in advance for His answers. Matt. 7. 7 – 8; 1st Thess. 5. 17
4.
Steep
yourself in God’s word --- the Bible. Get a complete one (Old and New
Testaments). Read it regularly. Study it, meditate on it, and obey it. Make
short notes of what you learn. Commit some verses to memory. You would discover
more of what God has in store for you as you acquaint yourself with His word.
Praise, prayer and the word of God make a complete devotional triad. As you
practice these regularly, the Holy Spirit, who is already in you, will fill you.
By this you will experience tremendous power to live for God and serve Him
fruitfully. Psalm 1. 1 – 3; 2nd Timothy 2. 15; Colossians 3. 16 – 17; Ephesians 5. 18 – 19.
5.
Attend
church regularly. A church is the community of God’s people where the Bible
is believed and preached as God’s infallible word, and Jesus Christ honoured as
Lord and God. Though there be different denominations, a true church would
always be known by its emphasis on and practice of this fundamental of the
Christian faith. Get settled fast in one. Submit yourself to the church’s
leadership and become a fully registered and recognized member. Do not flirt
about with churches, jumping from one to another, being committed nowhere, and
being under no authority. It is the gateway to irresponsible Christian living.
As you identify with the church, make yourself available to the pastor. The
pastor is there for you. Make use of him or her. If you have any problem, or if
there is something you do not understand, do not murmur behind. Let your pastor
know it. Inform your pastor of anything you want to do in the church. Work with
and support your pastor. You need his encouragement just as much as he needs
yours. Hebrews 10. 25
6.
Get
involved in the service of God. Do something in the church. Sweep, clean
the seats, join the choir, the youth group, men’s group, women’s group. Teach
the children. Visit and encourage the weak and needy. Evangelize, etc. Just do
anything that would glorify God and build His church. Do not be a passenger in
the church, only coming and going, and doing no more. Be committed. Make
yourself known to others and share your joys and problems with them, as also
you share in theirs. Keep company of those who love Jesus. Romans
12. 11; 1st Corinthians 15.
33
7.
Do not
set up human standards for yourself. Do not look to the pastor or other
church leaders as ideal examples to follow. If you do you may soon be
discouraged when they fail, for, they do fail anyway. Respect them for who they
are, and follow them so long as they follow Christ, but let Christ alone be
your ideal example. Do not go to Church just because you admire somebody there.
If you do, you may soon stop going if the person fails or stops attending. Go
to worship God only. 2nd Corinthians 10.
12; Hebrews 12. 2
8.
Attend
programmes that would build you up. They include Bible Studies, Prayer
meetings, Revivals, Crusades, Seminars, Conferences, Training programmes, etc.
These things lift Christians to greater heights in Christ. Do not stay away
from them. It is one thing to attend and another thing to participate and make
good use of the lessons. So when you attend, take part in the activities. Do
not just sit and wait for the programme to be over. Attending those of your
church is recommended. It will make your Christian growth well coordinated.
9.
Identify
with Christ in secret and in public. Do not be the one to be called a
Christian in the day and a cat at night. As a church member have nothing to do
with the cults, however dignified that association may appear. You must choose
between them and Christ. Come out from among them, says the Lord. Keep a clean
testimony always and the Lord will bless you. If you have any doubt as to which
to belong to, ask your pastor. And pray too.
2nd Corinthians 6.
14 – 16
10.
Witness
for Christ. Make it your policy to always speak out for Christ wherever you
are. Seize every opportunity that presents itself to share Christ with
somebody. You may be mocked, embarrassed, perhaps harassed but you’ll be well
rewarded. The opportunity could present itself at work, at school, at play or
at home. If at work or school it should not be allowed to encroach upon your
official responsibilities. Encourage the weak, lift the fallen and warn the
rebellious. God will bless you. Psalm 126. 5 – 6; Ecclesiastes 11. 1
11.
Shun sin.
You know them: pride, selfishness, greed, drunkenness, telling lies, adultery,
fornication, hatred, malice, cheating, idol worship, foul language, cursing,
swearing, murder, false witness. The list is endless. Steer clear of anything
that is doubtful. The simple rule is: if in doubt, avoid it. The Holy Spirit in
you working through your conscience and the word of God – the Bible – will tell
you the right and the wrong. Obey Him. Do not harden your heart and lead a
rebellious Christian life. It could be most frustrating. Galatians 5. 16 – 21.
12.
Practice
right living. This means to live a life of love and service to God and your
fellow humans. For a full meaning of love read John 13. 34 – 35; 1st Corinthians 13. 1 – 8; Galatians 6. 2; 1st John 3. 16 – 18 and 4. 16 –
21. Summarily it is that you should live in peace with others, help them when
they are in need, receive help from them when they offer you some. Do not be
proud. Share your moments with the high and low.
13.
Rejoice.
Why do we say this? Because there are too many things and even people that may
discourage you. Always be thankful to God for His love, mercies and grace;
keeping in view that unfailing hope of being with Him in peace for all
eternity. Never allow unpleasant situations plunge you into despair or
self-pity. Avoid negative thinking like the plague. It stifles your God-given
potential. Be positive in life. Think positively, speak positively, act
positively. Maintain a positive stance, no matter how badly things may seem to
be going presently. Remember you are always a winner. 1st
Thessalonians 5. 16, 18; 2nd
Timothy 4. 18
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