How To Ask Jesus Into Your Life

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How to Ask Jesus into Your Life

Choosing to submit your life to God is the most significant decision you can ever make.

This choice involves more than simple intellectual agreement that Jesus is God and that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins.

Becoming a Christian also requires that you commit the rest of your life to God, to do what He asks of you and to live in accordance with His principles. This decision is not something to be taken lightly. It requires sacrifice and a total reorientation of your life around God rather than yourself. As Jesus said:

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23).

If you feel you are ready to make this commitment, you can do so right now by telling God you are sorry for your past mistakes, putting your trust in Him and asking Him to make you into the person He created you to be. This step involves faith. You probably still have a number of unanswered questions at this point, but you must be willing to make the decision based on what you know right now and trust God to fill in the details later.

The precise words you use to commit yourself to God are not important. He knows the intentions of your heart. Your prayer can be as simple as "Help!" or it can focus on an issue that is specific to your situation. If you are unsure of what to pray, use the following sample prayers to get started:

Jesus, I want to know You. I want You to come into my life. I'm sorry for the things I've done that have broken my relationship with God. Thank You for dying on the cross so that this relationship could be made right. I believe You are the only One who can do this. Only You can give me the power to change and become the person You created me to be. Thank You for forgiving my past mistakes and for giving me eternal life with God. I give my life to You. Please do with it as You wish. Amen.

or
Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

By praying one of the above prayers or one similar to it, you have just taken a giant step toward making God the centre of your life. But these are just the words. What follows is a lifelong journey of change and growth as you get to know God better through Bible reading, prayer and interaction with other Christians.

If you prayed the prayer above and invited Jesus into your life, you've become a Christian - which means simply, "Christ in one."
http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/growth/

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God's Plan of Salvation

The Bible says there is only one way to Heaven

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)

Good works cannot save you.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Trust Jesus Christ today! Here's what you must do:

1. Admit you are a sinner.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)
2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent).

Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" (Acts 17:30)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Saviour.

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

What to pray:

Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1:12)

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, as a Christian you should:

1. Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalms 119:105)
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22)

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)
3. Be baptized, worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached and the Bible is the final authority.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" (Matthew 28:19)

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16)
4. Tell others about Christ.

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)

"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

http://www.chick.com/information/general/salvation.asp

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Sinner's Prayer

If you would like to receive Jesus into your heart and be born-again of the Spirit of God, you need to come to Him and ask. Believe that He who made you can hear you, and repeat this prayer directly to Him from the bottom of your heart:

Dear Heavenly Father, have mercy upon my soul, for I am a sinner. I believe that You sent your son, Jesus Christ, to become flesh on this earth, and that He died on the cross and shed His blood for the forgiveness of my sins. I believe that Jesus rose from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit and that He sits at Your right hand, making intercession for me.

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and wash all my sins away with Your blood. I invite you into my heart to be my personal Savior.

Your Word says that You will turn no one away, and that includes me. Therefore, I know you have heard me, and I know you have answered me, and I know that I am saved.

Thank you, Jesus, for saving my soul.
http://www.alphaandomega.net/Sinner's_Prayer.htm

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SINNERS PRAYER

There is not a set prayer for us to pray to be saved. Basically, we need to pray in earnest and reverence to the One and only sovereign God. Some guidelines for this prayer include:

Acknowledgement of God as the God of the universe.

Acknowledgement that you are a sinner and have fallen short of what God expects of you.

Ask God to forgive your sins by the grace of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Ask God to come into your heart and dwell there.

Make an oath with God that you will turn from sin and towards

His holy purpose for your life.

You might simply pray this prayer:

God, I realize and acknowledge that You are the sovereign God of the universe, and that there are no other gods before You. I know that I am a sinner and do not deserve Your grace. God, I ask Your forgiveness of my sins and ask You to come into my life and heart and stay with me always. I thank you for Your sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross in atonement for our sins. Lord, I promise to turn my life away from sin and toward Your holy purpose for my life. In Christ's most holy name I pray. Amen.

Another version:

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. I know that I need You. I admit I'm a sinner, and I realize I cannot save myself. Thank You for dying on the cross so that I could be forgiven and have eternal life. I open the door to my heart and life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Please take control of my life, and give me Your pardon and peace and joy. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for hearing and answering my prayer, and for coming into my heart and life as You promised You would in the Bible. Amen.

The prayer below is the version thought to be used in AA in the very early days:

Father, I come to you in Jesus' name. Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my sins. Please forgive my for every wrong I've ever done. I thank you for dying on the cross in my place. I ask You to come into my heart. Be the Lord of my life. And I will love You and serve You till you take me home. Amen.
--Received in email

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How to receive Jesus Christ into your life



“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call’.” (Acts 2:37-39)

The Bible shows us that just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. Receiving Jesus Christ involves:

* a deliberate act of will, a step of faith, to receive the unearned gift of God
* a change of lifestyle - ‘repentance’ means turning around and going in a new direction
* being baptised in the name of Jesus Christ as an act of commitment to following him and receiving forgiveness
* receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, who will make God known to you and guide and empower you to fulfil God’s purpose for your life


The marvellous and miraculous reality is that to receive Christ in this way is to experience a new birth-day! Jesus said “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Do not be surprised when I say you must be born again. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (see John 3:1-8)

Take time to think about all this. These are deep and life-changing truths. If you want, you can take the first step towards receiving Christ right now by faith through prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as he is with the attitude of your heart.

You may like to use this suggested form of prayer, or put this into your own words:

* Lord Jesus Christ, please help me, I need you.
* Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.
* I believe that you want to come into my life.
* I am sorry for my sinful ways, and I ask for your forgiveness.
* I open my life to you now and ask you to come in and be my Saviour and my Lord.
* Wash me clean and fill me with your Holy Spirit.
* Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life.
* Help me to learn to love you and follow you all of my days.


If you have prayed along these lines and sincerely mean it, then start to believe that God has saved you from your sins and made you a new person in Christ, just as he promised he would.

http://www.vision.pwp.blueyonder.co....l/howtorj.html

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Ephesians 4
Unity in the Body of Christ
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men." 9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Living as Children of Light
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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Colossians 3
Rules for Holy Living
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let 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. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Rules for Christian Households
18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

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Proclaim Jesus as Lord.
Romans 10:9, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:13, "For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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I have decided to become a Christian. Now what?

Congratulations. You just made the best decision of your life--a decision that you will not regret.

You are at the beginning of a new relationship--a relationship with God that is possible because of Jesus Christ. As with any relationship, your relationship with God will grow stronger and deeper through communication and experiences. As you learn more about God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, you will grow to love God and trust Him more and more. You will also come to a better understanding of how Jesus is relevant to the details of your life. Your relationship will grow also as you see God's faithfulness in situations in your life, particularly situations that you have turned over to Him in prayer.

Be careful that you are not deceived into thinking that going to heaven instead of hell is the only benefit of being a Christian. If you believe this lie, you will tend to think that you have already received all that there is to receive as a Christian, and view the rest of your life as an obligation to pay God back for the gift of heaven. This erroneous view leads to the attitude that Christianity is drudgery, sacrificing all the "fun" things in the world for a life of rigidity and boredom. The Christian life is not receiving the gift of heaven and then trying hard from that point forward to live according to the standards of the Bible.

This is the truth: God wanted you to receive Christ, not only to be forgiven of sin so that you can go to heaven instead of hell after your earthly death, but to give you life--contentment, joy, fulfillment, and fruitfulness in Christ. God wants you to know that, because of your faith, Christ actually lives in you, and has given you a new life--His life. God wants you to see the relevance of Christ to all issues in your life. Through Christ, the Father has given you an inexhaustible source of joy, contentment, power, and peace; and equipped you to be a great blessing to other people.

God wants you to get in His raft and let Him take you down a roaring river. You will not be able to control the raft; you must trust Him to do so. If you do, He will not allow you to sink, but the ride will be wild, unpredictable, and sometimes rough. Every person in your path will be affected by the roaring river of God's love and power. Hardly boring and dreadful.

So what's the next step? Just as you have trusted Christ by faith for forgiveness of sin, trust Him day by day with all issues of your life. The Apostle Paul said,

Col 2:6,7 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Paul is saying, "Just as you initially received Christ Jesus by faith, live everyday by faith." If you choose day by day, moment by moment, to trust Christ with the details of life, letting Him have His way with you, then your life will be a great adventure.

Don't feel burdened by your new Christianity. God does not intend for the Christian life to be a burdensome set of rules to follow. Living as a Christian is not a matter of trying to do what the Bible says. What's more, trying in our human strength to be good people does not work. Nobody can live according to the Bible except Jesus Christ Himself. Therefore God does not want you to try your hardest to be good; He wants you to let Jesus Christ be good through you. God does not want you to strain and grit your teeth trying to get bad thoughts out of your mind; He wants you to ask Christ to control your mind and fill your mind with His Word, the Bible. God does not want you to try real hard to change; He wants you to open yourself up to Christ, asking Christ to transform you and live through you. In sum, the Christian life is not about our trying to be good for God; it's about Christ being good through us.

Therefore, just as you have trusted Christ for forgiveness of sin, you need also to trust Him to guide you, change you, and live through you. This requires nothing more--and nothing less--than faith in Christ.

Faith is a gift from God, not a fruit of our effort. However, God responds to those who seek Him. He builds our faith by revealing who He is, unveiling truth from the Bible, and showing His faithfulness in difficult situations. Described below are some ways in which you can seek God and receive stronger faith:

1. Spend time with God

Pray

Read the Bible

2. Spend time with other Christians



1. Spend time with God

Communication is vitally important in your new relationship with God, just as it is in marriage and other relationships. We communicate with God primarily by praying and reading the Bible. We talk to God through prayer. God speaks to us primarily by His written Word, the Bible. We can also listen to God in prayer--trusting God to direct our minds as we express our desire to understand His worth, His ways, and His will. Therefore, if you do not pray and read the Bible, your relationship with God will grow weak, just as your relationship with your spouse or a friend will grow weaker and weaker without communication.


Pray

Don't be deceived into thinking that prayer is difficult. It isn't. Effective prayer actually comes from God, not us:

Rom 8:26 In the same way 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

We need merely to let God lead us. Ask God to give you the Holy Spirit for everything you need to pray effectively--motivation, self discipline, time, faith, a right heart, desire. And ask Him to bring to your mind what to pray.

Also, don’t be deceived into thinking that you are too spiritually "dirty" or weak to come to God in prayer. Instead of trying to clean up your mind and become spiritually fit before approaching God (which doesn't work), simply come to God in prayer, trusting Him for the power and strength for effective prayer:

Heb 4:15,16 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Christ is our sympathetic and understanding high priest--our advocate before God the Father. We can come confidently before God, not because of our righteousness, but because of Christ's righteousness which has been appropriated to us.

Visit riverpower.org's prayer page to see biblical promises regarding prayer and suggestions as to how to pray. For now, though, simply tell God that you want to know Him better. Ask Him to motivate you to pray, and to teach you how. Ask Him to reveal truth to you. Ask for understanding about your new life in Christ. Thank Him for the way He's worked in your life. The list could be endless. You can pray about anything. Don't think that any matter is too small for God. He wants you to seek Him and pray about everything. Over time the Holy Spirit will teach you to pray "better," becoming more effective and focused. But don't wait to take a class on prayer, or read a book about it. Start now. Prayer is something that is learned by doing--you just need to get started now and keep doing it.


Read the Bible

The Apostle Paul compared the Christian's need for the Bible with a newborn's need for milk:

1 Pet 2:2 Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation

Don't be intimidated by the Bible. An amazing truth about the Bible is that it is not reserved for scholars. In fact, many people who have studied the Bible for years have not come to understand Christ because of a stubborn heart. The Bible is not like a text book; it is the living Word of God, and only God can teach it. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us the Bible. Therefore the only prerequisites are a desire to know God and the humility to acknowledge that you need the Holy Spirit to teach you.

God is eager to teach those who want to learn. He will reveal His attributes, power, truth, and love to you. He wants you to understand who Christ is, with all His power and glory, and what it means for you to be in Him:

Jer 33:3 'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

Jer29:12,13 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Psa145:18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Get started. You don't have to take a class on how to study the Bible, before doing it. And you don’t have to read a how-to book. Just start now.

Begin by reading the book of John and the Psalms. (See How can I begin learning the Bible?)

It's difficult to fathom just how much God wants to be with us--each of us. Although God has unlimited power and has no need for us, He wants to be with us--much like a child wants to spend time with his parents. He delights in revealing His truth and love to the person who spends time with Him.


2. Spend time with other Christians

God designed all people to depend on Him. No person functions properly apart from fellowship with God through Christ, and utter dependence on Him. It is sin to try to live apart from God, in self-sufficiency and independence. And it doesn't work.

God has also designed Christians to be dependent on one another. We are to help each other understand biblical truth, counsel one another regarding situations in life, encourage one another, hold one another accountable, and work together in meeting physical and financial needs.

The Apostle Paul compared the Church (all those who have entrusted their lives to Christ) to a body, in that each Christian is a body part dependent on other body parts to function properly. Christ is the head--we are all dependent on Him. He supplies the wisdom, power, and guidance. The body can accomplish miraculous works when each part is working together properly. And the only way for each part to work together properly is to be guided by the same Head--Christ. Only by abiding in Christ, led by the Spirit, can we bear fruit. Here's what Paul said:

1 Cor 12:7,11-20,26,27 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.

It is vitally important in your relationship with God to spend time with other Christians. Go to church. Consider becoming involved in a group that studies and discusses the Bible together. Meet often with other Christians.

Pray right now. Ask God to lead you to the church that's best for you, and to Bible studies and other Christian activities in which He wants you involved. For most new Christians, the first step is to go to church. Attend church this Sunday. Perhaps visit other churches over subsequent Sundays until you are confident that you have found the one that God wants you to join.
http://www.riverpower.org/answers/new_christian.htm

Related topics:

Riverpower.org's prayer page

How can I begin learning the Bible?

What should I look for in a church?

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Vital Truths For New
Converts To Christianity
Dan Corner

When a person becomes a true Christian he enters a brand new life. In a moment of time he passes from death to life, from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to the power of God. Many things start to happen to him that may be surprising. (I can still remember what it was like for me when I came to salvation over 25 years ago.) What you are going to read in this article is what I would have greatly benefited by had I been presented with these vital Scriptural truths back then. These are not the kinds of things you will readily hear from the typical pastor of our day or TV or radio teachers who seem more interested in getting people under their influence than spreading the word of life. Nonetheless, these eternal truths are precious pearls for the new convert. Let's go to the Scriptures and see what they declare:

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, man's enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Mat 10:34-39)

It is very common for one's family to be divided because of Christ, even to the point where dear family members become the new Christian's spiritual enemies. If this occurs to you, please know that it has also happened to multitudes of others as well. It is possible your unsaved family might want you to stop reading and talking about the Bible. They could also be ashamed of you being so religious all the time and will try to cool you down. Dear friend, regardless who or what might try to hinder your love, zeal and devotion to Jesus, you must not yield to their ungodly desires. You must love Jesus first, which will be shown by obeying him over others who would want you to go against the Lord's teachings or to just ignore them. This is vitally important. To be worthy of Jesus, we must love him supremely. Notice the following two Scriptures about those who love God:

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Cor 2:9)

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? (James 2:5)

We show our love for God by obeying his commands (John 14:15).
Persecution
Another important fact of your new life in Christ is that you will bother people outside your family who don't have a heart for truth old friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc. Some of these people will show their annoyance with persecution in various ways. Take heart and be encouraged by what Jesus (and Peter) taught:

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mat 5:10-12)

Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. (Luke 6:22,23)

They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. (1 Pet 4:4)

Persecution for righteousness, even in the milder form of being excluded or insulted, is a test. Loneliness is something all godly people have to deal with from time to time. Sadly, some Christians have fallen away from salvation over the test of persecution or just the fear of it:

... They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. (Luke 8:13)

So when (not if) persecution comes to you because you are living godly, continue to obey and let your light shine. But also remember not to cast your pearls to swine those who boldly oppose the truth of God because they may tear you to pieces (Mt. 7:6). Keep walking in faith thinking about the eternal rewards before you because of these persecutions. All godly people of the past were also persecuted and faced suffering:

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Tim 3:12)

Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned ; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. (Heb 11:35-39)

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. (Heb 11:24-27)

We must be willing to die for Jesus if necessary and never be ashamed of Him or His words (Lk. 9:26).
The Importance of Knowledge
Similarly, Jesus taught:

All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. (John 16:1).

Hence, knowledge of certain things is a preventative from going astray or stumbling. Conversely, some do go astray because they are not aware of the things Jesus was referring to. Let's check the context to learn what the Lord is speaking of:

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.' When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:18-27)

Called to be Witnesses
Jesus stated that the knowledge we need so we won't go astray is that we will be persecuted and we must testify about Jesus. We have all been called to be witnesses for the Lord in this dark, sin-cursed age (Acts 1:8). This is how the first-century Christians were, according to the book of Acts.

When I started witnessing (or testifying) about Jesus to others, I simply gave people the word of God. Sometimes I was asked a question I could not answer. I would tell them, "I'll get back with you on that." That gave me a chance to search for an answer in the Bible. After awhile, your ability to fluently witness will become more and more polished as you continue to read and study God's word. Remember, people are going to Hell all around us and desperately need to know the truth about salvation.

An excellent way to spread God's eternal truths to others is by having a personal tract ministry, but be sure to use only Biblically sound literature that clearly tells one he must repent (turn from sin) to be saved from Hell. Moreover, don't distribute literature that teaches or implies the lie of eternal security, even if it is free. Our ministry makes available an excellent and very popular dual-colored salvation tract with the vitals about salvation, as well as Heaven and Hell. We also have an important article on tract evangelism that will give you many ideas about using salvation literature. It can be viewed at www.evangelicaloutreach.org/tracts.htm or obtained from our ministry.

The true gospel, which we are to spread, includes the following truth:

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. (1 Cor 15:2)

Old Friends
If you are like many, when you first came to the Lord, all your friends are ungodly. In fact, some new converts don't even know a single Christian. But now that you are a follower of Jesus, at least some if not all of these old friends won't like your new priorities. In fact, some might even try to get you to sin or snare you somehow with wickedness. They want you back the way you were when you readily sinned as they still do. Scripture states:

... do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. (1 Tim 5:22)

Sin can make a holy person unholy and a pure person impure and no longer fit to enter heaven. It can bring a true Christian to his spiritual death (Rom. 8:13; James 1:14,15 cf. Lk. 15:24,32; etc.). Hence, after you tell your old friends your stand for God, if they want to continue in their sin, don't hang out with them anymore. To continue to spend time and go places with such people will open you to spiritual dangers that would never exist otherwise:

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." (1 Cor 15:33)

Remember, your old unsaved friends are in darkness and spiritual death. They do not think or react like you. They are also on the road to Hell, even though they don't know it.

One of the shocking (and vital) truths I learned in the Bible is that Christians are to avoid certain people, places and things. Remember also if Eve would never have gone near that tree with the forbidden fruit she would have never been tempted, which led to her sin and leading Adam into sin also. So avoid places of temptation like swimming pools, beaches, discos, Las Vegas, etc. It is also important to dress modestly so you won't cause another to sin (1 Tim. 2:9). Remember also Rom. 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:2)

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate," says the Lord. "Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty. (2 Cor 6:14-18)

Keep a Clear Conscience
One of the striking truths about Paul's strong and faithful walk with God is shown in the following Scripture:

... there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. (Acts 24:15,16)

The importance of this is also expressed as a safeguard against shipwrecking your faith:

Holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. (1 Tim 1:19,20)

Paul knew the same horrible thing that happened to Hymenaeus and Alexander could also happen to his faithful co-laborer, Timothy. Hence, he gave him these vital responsibilities, which would prevent the loss of his salvation. For us to enter the kingdom of God we will have to endure to the end to be saved (Mt. 10:22). See also Hebrews 3:14 and Rev. 2:10,11. Follow Paul's example and advice to Timothy about keeping a clear conscience. This is also one of the reasons you need to be water baptized by immersion now that you have become a Christian (1 Pet. 3:21). Any true Christian can water baptize you and it doesn't have to be done in a church building.
False Teachers and False Prophets
All new Christians are hungry for God's truth. Oftentimes they can never get enough of His precious word. This is clear evidence of God's saving grace in one's life. But with this hunger for God's truth a new danger is opened up—false teachers! One of the great dangers at the end of our age especially is religious deception. There are false teachers around us. Examples are Calvinists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Catholics, Muslims, the Church of Christ, "Jesus Only" people and Seventh Day Adventists. These people can be very friendly and zealous, but they are spreading deadly false doctrines, especially about salvation and Jesus himself. See Matt. 7:15.

Beyond them there are also many more false teachers on religious TV and radio, as well as authors of books, articles and tracts, which are not readily known as false teachers. These would especially include the eternal security teachers and people compromising with the Catholic church. (Eternal security is, for the most part, an unrecognized rampant heresy in our dark day.) Without writing a mini book on why these people are so dangerous, suffice it to say they dangerously downplay sin in the life of a Christian and de-emphasize the importance of bringing forth good fruit. Because of eternal security teachers, multitudes are on the road to hell but think they are on the road to heaven. Consequently, their false doctrine needs to be exposed and refuted, not supported. To support such ministries and local congregations will cause you to share in their wicked work. (For an exhaustive presentation of this teaching with Scriptural refutation, please see our 801 page book entitled, "The Believer's Conditional Security.") Don't just trust what you hear someone teach, even if they are a popular teacher over TV, radio or from a pulpit in a local church. Verify and test everything with the Bible, including miracles. You might be surprised to know that both God and the devil can perform miracles. See our important article on this at www.evangelicaloutreach.org/miracles.htm or obtain it from our ministry.
Churches or Death Traps?
Hand in hand with the danger of false teachers can be going to church. Strangely, many churches are spiritual death traps. Most often the pastor and elder board are apostate themselves and therefore cannot offer sound doctrine and true godly leadership. Such congregational leaders will lull a new convert into lukewarmness and worldliness as they take money from them! This would also include any congregation that would think one can commit "occasional" acts of adultery and murder, like King David did, and still remain saved. If the Christian doesn't flee from such an environment he will often die spiritually because of such a church. It is better and safer to witness to those going to such a local church after you leave it. The Christian of our day might have to gather with just a few other true believers in a home where they can worship and seek God together, since a sound congregation is hard to find.

Finally, oftentimes the so-called spiritual leaders themselves and the other people in a modern-day church often hurt others, especially new converts. For the spiritual health and well being of the Christian, he must forgive others so his sins can likewise be forgiven (Mt. 6:14,15).
Music
Godly music will definitely prove to be a tremendous blessing to the saint. On the other hand, secular music in the form of rock ‘n roll, country, oldies, etc. will adversely affect you spiritually. Hence, all music which is not spiritually edifying is potentially dangerous and should be avoided. Again, don't listen to such music at all. I remember hearing a testimony of a woman who fell away from the Lord for a time, which all began because she started listening to country music. Also, remember that just because music might be religious doesn't mean it is doctrinally sound. Many dangerous anti-scriptural concepts are conveyed in so-called "gospel" music! You should examine the words of a song as you would a teaching checking it with the Scriptures.

Perhaps the greatest tool the devil has in the early part of the twenty-first century is television, which can be magnetizing. The sights and sounds can stay with a person long after the show is over. The Bible says:

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom 8:6)

Since TV shows are produced by ungodly people to draw ungodly people, much harm can come to the Christian through such, besides it being a waste of precious time which could be used to serve God. Even religious TV is far from being beneficial to the viewer with all those false teachers on there, as already mentioned.
The Bible is Final Authority
Another vitally important fact a new Christian needs to know is the Bible is final authority. This means if an experience, vision, dream, prophecy, teaching, testimony, sensation, etc. contradicts the written word of God then reject it. It is not God's truth. Furthermore, you won't ever need more than the Bible to accurately learn about salvation and what God wants from you in this life. Some dangerously think you need to supplement the Bible with Sacred Tradition, the Book of Mormon, the Koran, the writings of the ante-Nicene Fathers, etc. The Bible reads:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16,17)

The man of God is thoroughly equipped for every good work with the Scriptures alone. If someone thinks the Scriptures are not sufficient then he must not be a man of God. Finally, avoid so-called study Bibles with notes. The notes in them are often wrong and don't deserve the same space on the page as Scripture.
A Bible Translation
As a new Christian, I was misled into thinking the King James Version of the Bible is the most accurate translation we can read. Consequently, I spent a number of years struggling over this hard to read and misleading Elizabethan English translation. Many words in the KJV are words that readers have never seen before. Hence, they will often just take a guess at their meanings, while many other words seem to be commonly known but in reality have a different meaning from everyday life. All this adds up to frustration and hindrances in understanding God's precious, eternal word. Don't be deceived by KJV Onlyites who say the KJV is not hard to understand. Obtain a reliable, easy to read and understand translation of the Bible like the New American Standard, New International Version or New Revised Standard. In fact, switch off from these three translations for shades of meanings that are not apparent otherwise. Stay in the New Testament to learn especially what Jesus and his apostles taught about salvation. After you read through it perhaps 10 times, then start to learn the Old Testament while you also continue to read the New Testament.
Memorizing Scripture
Memorizing God's eternal word will have benefits throughout your entire Christian life. There are various reasons why this will help to strengthen, guide and encourage you as it also bolsters your faith to face each new day. The devil will try to hinder you from memorizing God's word. Stick with it and your blessings from such will be great:

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psa 119:9-11)

Your Soul Is Most Precious
Nothing you own now or ever will own can compare with the value of your soul. Therefore, you need to guard it carefully. See Prov. 4:23. Heaven is real, but so is Hell. To enter the kingdom of Heaven and escape Hell there are things you must do for yourself now that you are saved, so that you will stay saved. There is salvation maintenance and effort that needs to be exerted to stay with God. See 2 Peter 1:5-12. Also, notice what the Lord Jesus taught:

Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." (Luke 13:23,24)

It is worth any sacrifice to enter God's eternal, paradise kingdom and escape eternal punishment in Hell fire. The road to life is hard (Mt. 7:14) and there are enemies along the way, besides the devil, so you will have to dress yourself with the whole armor of God and continue in the faith, even through the rough times that will sometimes come:

"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. (Acts 14:22)

You have a glorious future before you that cannot properly be expressed in words. See Rev. 21:4; Phil. 1:21-23; 1 Cor. 2:9; Isa. 35:10; etc.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, your hand to the plow and don't look back. Immerse yourself in the Bible (especially the New Testament at first) and put into practice what you read. Jesus described the true Christians (his real spiritual family) as:

He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice." (Luke 8:21)

Several good daily prayers are:

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psa 19:14)

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (Psa 119:36,37)

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. (Psa 119:133)

GOD BLESS YOU.

Please also see What does God want from me now that I'm saved? and Do not be deceived
http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/newconverts.htm