Salvation

Now What?

"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way." - Psalms 25:9

A New Creature

Do you know that when you asked Christ into your heart that you became a new creation? That all your sin has been wiped clean?

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

Have you come to grips with the eternal significance of your decision to receive Christ?

What really happened when you asked Jesus to come into your life?

Your Sins Were Forgiven!

Because Christ paid our sin debt, if we receive Him through faith, God declares us righteous (right with God). Every displeasing thing we have ever done has been forgiven. Our sin debt is paid in full, past, present, and future.

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." II Corinthians 5:21

This does not give us license to continue to sin. God indwells us in the form of the Holy Spirit at the time we ask Jesus into our hearts (i.e., saved or born again) to help us overcome sin. At times, we can fall short. If this should happen we need to admit to God that we failed Him and turn from that sin.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

We can keep a close relationship with God by confessing our sin often, at least daily.

We Become a Citizen of Heaven and a Child of God. We are "born again." We become a member of God's royal family and a permanent citizen of God's kingdom.

"Now therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God." Ephesians 2:19

"But our citizenship is in Heaven." Philippians 3:20

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." John 1:12

The Holy Spirit comes into us when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and makes us spiritually alive. That's what it means to be "born again."

We literally become a child of God because of His infinite love towards each of us, individually.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)

Eternal Life

We are given eternal life at the time we accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Assured by Christ's resurrection example that death has been conquered and that heaven is our home. Knowing that we will spend eternity with God in heaven.

In the meantime God wants us to use this life to His glory. He has a purpose for every believer. Each day, we must seek out God's plan for our lives and submit ourselves to His leading.

How to Know God's Will for My Life

To know God's will there are certain practical things we must do.

1. Pray

Talk to God

Most citizens of a country do not have access to its leader. But his sons and daughters do. Similarly, through Jesus Christ we have access to the throne of the King of kings any time we need it.

We actually have the right to come before the ruler of the universe and visit with him. To share with him our intimate thoughts, desires and fears. After all, we are his children.

Talk to him. That's what prayer is - simply talking to your heavenly Father.

You don't have to be on your knees or in a church when you talk to God. You can pray anywhere.

You can talk to God in the midst of your daily activities, but you also need to set aside a quiet time free of distractions to be alone with him every day.

Use this time to read his Word, the Bible, and to talk to Him. As you do this, you will begin to grow in your new life with God.

Jesus taught us how to pray

One of Jesus' followers asked him how to pray. He responded by sharing what is called The Lord's Prayer. This was not meant to be recited over and over with no thought to the words. Rather, it's a guide to help us know the kinds of things we can and should talk with God about on a regular basis. Use it as a guide for prayer in the quiet time you set apart each day to get to know God.

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME.

Remind yourself that he is your Father. But he is also holy and we need to worship him. As we focus on who he is, it gives us a proper perspective for the rest of our prayer.

YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

Next, ask God for HIS plan and HIS will to be done in your life. Ask for his will to be done in the lives of your family and friends, too. This is the most loving, caring prayer you can pray for them.

GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD.

Now ask him to meet your needs for today. If you have a special need, ask him for it.

FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE ALSO HAVE FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS.

Give to God any hurt you have received from anyone. Forgive those who have wronged you. And ask God to forgive you where you have failed.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE.

Ask God to protect you from the temptations and attacks that come from the world, the flesh and from evil spiritual forces.

FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER. AMEN.

Conclude as you began your prayer, in worship, acknowledging that all belongs to God.

2. Bible Reading

Find out what God says

God provided the Bible so that His children could learn and grow spiritually. It teaches us how to live our lives close to God. It tells of God's promises, provisions and power which are available to all that believe in Him.

More than 30 men wrote the Bible over a period of approximately 1500 years (from about 1400 B.C. to A.D.90).

Although written by over 30 men, each was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write what GOD wanted written to equip His people with the knowledge and guidance they needed to live lives to His glory.

Though written as 66 individual works, they fit together as a comprehensive whole - the Bible, God's Word to us.

Learning what God says in the Bible is a very important part of your new life.

How to read the Bible

Find a Bible that is easy for you to read.

The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. Today you can choose from a number of different English translations.

You may find the everyday language in the New International and New American Standard versions of the Bible comfortable to read. They are available in most bookstores.

Start reading!

The book of John is a good place to start. You may want to follow it with the book of Luke, the book of Acts, and then the rest of the New Testament.

First, read each passage or book like you would anything else.

You may want to begin by first reading a book of the Bible straight through from beginning to end.

Then go back and read it again more closely. What does each passage say about God? What does it say about you?

Ask God to show you how various passages apply to your life.

3. Fellowship

Join with other born-again Christians

God has just plugged you into the most spiritually powerful entity on earth

When you gave your life to Jesus Christ you became a vital part of God's family. And there's more to God's family than most people ever imagine!

One of the images the Bible uses to describe God's family - the Church - is a body. The Bible says Jesus is the head and each person who has truly given his or her life to Jesus makes up a part of the body. Everyone is dependent on others - and everyone has something to contribute to the entire body.

You receive strength and encouragement from others in the Church. But you also give something vital to the whole. That's one reason why local church involvement is so important and why the Bible says not to neglect meeting together.

But the church does more than help the individual members. Together, as members of one body, the church has tremendous spiritual power against the evil in this world.

How to find a good church

First, ask the Lord to guide you.

Then, look for a church where the people love Jesus Christ and serve him as Lord, and where the doctrine, teaching, and practice of that church are in accordance with the Word of God.

Beware of churches that:

• Place Jesus Christ as less than or not equal to God the Father.
• Revere a book other than or in addition to the Bible.
• Place an undue emphasis on one person, leader, or founder.
• Emphasize salvation by works rather than as a free gift through faith.
• Control members and require service to the organization or leader rather than voluntary service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Your responsibilities as part of God's family

God intends for you to contribute to the family of God in a unique way. Along with fulfilling your unique role, you - and every other member of God's family - have a responsibility to:

1. Draw close to God through prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Only then will you recognize and use the gifts God has given you in the ways God intended - to make an eternal difference in the lives of others.
2. Pray for your church, your pastor, other believers, and people who need to give their lives to Jesus - both locally and worldwide.
3. Give of your time and talents. Participate in at least one ministry activity through your church or a ministry. It may be stuffing envelopes, or sharing Jesus on the street. As you give of yourself, you will be blessed and will continue to grow in your relationship with God.
4. Give of yourself materially. The Bible teaches that we should give at least a tenth of all we receive to him. Giving him the first 10 percent is our recognition that all we have comes from God.

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