So you've become a christian,now what?
Discipleship has always been on my heart.It's been confirmed to be one of my top spiritual gifts along with intercession.also,i believe there are MANY christians in the world in need of discipleship.From the new christian to the person who has never
been discipled,it's essential that a christian learn some biblical foundations for living the christian life.I believe this is an area that churches failed in for a long time but are starting to realize the importance of it now.Since we're seeing a turn towards discipleship in the church and it's near and dear to my heart i thought I would share some of my thoughts.Typically,when someone becomes a christian they understand that they are a sinner and need Jesus to justify them before Almighty God.I think alot of times that is all that is understood.While this is true,there is so much more to being a christian than just being "saved".In most cases there's this whole life you live afterwards.
Romans 6:4-14
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.If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
This scripture tells us that we now live under grace,are not to let sin reign our mortal body and to allow our body to be instruments used by God.To me this is the "mission statement" of the christian life.This is what we are to be about while here on earth after we become saved.So,let's take a look at what each one of these means.
What does it mean to live under grace?
Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,so that,having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life
This means to know our eternal salvation is secure NO MATTER WHAT !!! We are heirs of salvation which means it belongs to us.We have a "birthright" that entitles us to the blessings and kindess of God.So how does this "flesh out"? It means that we can go about our daily lives knowing that nothing can take our salvation away from us.It also means we have a Holy Spirit that will help us and a Father who will continue to care for our physical and emotional needs.
What does it mean to not let sin reign our mortal body?
Galatians 5:16-23
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters,I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
These verses are just 2 that can be found in scripture that speak to our actions and thoughts.There are numerous ones in the Bible.Sin can reign in both of these and that is contrary to our new life in Christ.You can delve even further into this through prayer,accountability,daily quiet time,etc.As a christian I can ASSURE you that you will struggle in these two areas.It's somewhat of an individual issue as to the practical ways you conquer sin's reign over your actions and thoughts.Also,the intensity of this struggle will vary person to person.So,I'm not going to speak too specifically on this subject.But,just know you will struggle with it as will every other christian.Don't feel that you're alone and don't give up.God calls you to not let it reign in your body so you can fight it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
What does it mean to allow God to use us as His instruments?
This means that we have things God wants us to do.We've been created for a purpose.It means that we can be God's hands and feet to accomplish His will.So,what does God want us to do?
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 5:42
Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
These verses seem to tell us there are 2 things God wants us to do as His instruments.There are 1)love people as He loves them and 2)tell people the Good News. Just like not letting sin reign our mortal body this can seem simple but is really complex.It's an individual decision as to how you practically do these things.BUT,every christian is called to do them.Some may choose to be full time missionaries while others serve in their local neighborhood.Both are doing these 2 things but just in different ways.
So,this is the start of discipleship.This is how a christian lives after being saved.Once you are doing these things you may come across doubts,issues,questions,praises you need to express.that's completely acceptable and appropriate.You will continue this until the day you die.So,let it become a part of you and your daily life.Share with others,get feedback,share testimonies and continue reading scripture.This will help you accomplish these things God wants us to do and see His character even more.
been discipled,it's essential that a christian learn some biblical foundations for living the christian life.I believe this is an area that churches failed in for a long time but are starting to realize the importance of it now.Since we're seeing a turn towards discipleship in the church and it's near and dear to my heart i thought I would share some of my thoughts.Typically,when someone becomes a christian they understand that they are a sinner and need Jesus to justify them before Almighty God.I think alot of times that is all that is understood.While this is true,there is so much more to being a christian than just being "saved".In most cases there's this whole life you live afterwards.
Romans 6:4-14
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.If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
This scripture tells us that we now live under grace,are not to let sin reign our mortal body and to allow our body to be instruments used by God.To me this is the "mission statement" of the christian life.This is what we are to be about while here on earth after we become saved.So,let's take a look at what each one of these means.
What does it mean to live under grace?
Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,so that,having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life
This means to know our eternal salvation is secure NO MATTER WHAT !!! We are heirs of salvation which means it belongs to us.We have a "birthright" that entitles us to the blessings and kindess of God.So how does this "flesh out"? It means that we can go about our daily lives knowing that nothing can take our salvation away from us.It also means we have a Holy Spirit that will help us and a Father who will continue to care for our physical and emotional needs.
What does it mean to not let sin reign our mortal body?
Galatians 5:16-23
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters,I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
These verses are just 2 that can be found in scripture that speak to our actions and thoughts.There are numerous ones in the Bible.Sin can reign in both of these and that is contrary to our new life in Christ.You can delve even further into this through prayer,accountability,daily quiet time,etc.As a christian I can ASSURE you that you will struggle in these two areas.It's somewhat of an individual issue as to the practical ways you conquer sin's reign over your actions and thoughts.Also,the intensity of this struggle will vary person to person.So,I'm not going to speak too specifically on this subject.But,just know you will struggle with it as will every other christian.Don't feel that you're alone and don't give up.God calls you to not let it reign in your body so you can fight it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
What does it mean to allow God to use us as His instruments?
This means that we have things God wants us to do.We've been created for a purpose.It means that we can be God's hands and feet to accomplish His will.So,what does God want us to do?
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 5:42
Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
These verses seem to tell us there are 2 things God wants us to do as His instruments.There are 1)love people as He loves them and 2)tell people the Good News. Just like not letting sin reign our mortal body this can seem simple but is really complex.It's an individual decision as to how you practically do these things.BUT,every christian is called to do them.Some may choose to be full time missionaries while others serve in their local neighborhood.Both are doing these 2 things but just in different ways.
So,this is the start of discipleship.This is how a christian lives after being saved.Once you are doing these things you may come across doubts,issues,questions,praises you need to express.that's completely acceptable and appropriate.You will continue this until the day you die.So,let it become a part of you and your daily life.Share with others,get feedback,share testimonies and continue reading scripture.This will help you accomplish these things God wants us to do and see His character even more.
posted by Alicia Beth @ 9:51 PM
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