I Just Believed On Jesus…Now What?

I Just Believed On Jesus…Now What?

Congratulations on making such a life-changing decision! Maybe you are just beginning to realize and ask yourself, “Now what?” Well, now that you belong to Jesus, He desires that you spend time getting to know Him and learning how to live in a way that pleases Him and brings soul-deep satisfaction for yourself.

A friend of mine taught me this way to remember and explain the next steps of a new believer—G.R.O.W.

G stands for—Go to church.

It is so important that we believers surround ourselves with others who know Jesus and can help us learn more about Him, too. Church gives us a place to do that. When I say church in this context I’m talking about a meeting place, but the church is actually the people that fellowship together. I strongly encourage you to find a Bible-believing church in your area. Talk to the pastor there and tell him about your decision to believe on Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

Church is so important, not only for fellowship with believers, but also for learning from the Bible. One of the primary purposes of the church is to teach the Bible. At church you will learn what the Bible says and how to apply it to your everyday life. Understanding the Bible and following its teachings will enable you to live an abundant life in Christ.

Church isn’t just about what we gain from our involvement, but more about honoring the One who gave His all for us. It’s about worship of our God and Saviour, thanking Him for providing, guiding, loving, and saving us! God is holy, merciful, gracious, forgiving, and loving. (Revelation 4:11) How could we not worship and thank Him?

R stands for—Read your Bible.

It is vital that we spend some time alone focusing on God every day. Some people set aside time in the mornings and others do it in the evening. My personal preference is the mornings before my day gets started. That way my heart and mind is strengthened by scripture before any of the day’s problems and temptations have a chance to come at me. But either way, make it your new habit to get alone with God each day.

You may be wondering what you are supposed to do during your “quiet time” with God. Two things—pray, and read your Bible. Prayer is how we talk to God. And the Bible is how God talks to us.

Start with prayer.

Before you read, spend time talking to God about your life, your feelings, your concerns, your problems. Ask Him to guide you and give you wisdom. Tell Him about any needs you have and ask Him to provide. Tell Him how much you love Him and are thankful for all He does for you. And be sure to thank Him for hearing and answering your prayers. Then ask Him to open your heart and mind to understand what you are about to read in His Word that day.

Then open your Bible, and listen to God.

The Bible contains all we need to know to live an abundant life, a successful Christian life. It gives us God’s guidance for making wise decisions, knowing God’s will, and serving Him by ministering to others. It helps us to grow spiritually. It is our instruction manual to show us how to live in a way that pleases and honors God and gives us peace and joy. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

I recommend that you start reading in the Book of John or in the Book of 1 John. Then go on to other books of the Bible. You are also very welcome to read the Bible with us here at Ladies Drawing Nigh.

O stands for—Obey God’s Word.

The Bible tells us what pleases and displeases God. But there are many things you probably already know are right to do and wrong to do. So, whatever you know is right to do, do that. Whatever you know is wrong to do, ask God to help you stop doing. And while that was easy to write, it’s not always easy to do.

That’s another reason surrounding ourselves with other believers is helpful. They can help us by encouraging us and keeping us accountable in areas that are especially tempting for us. (1 Corinthians 15:33, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:24) So, seek out a couple of friends, perhaps in your church, who you could ask to do that for you. You might ask them to help you with accountability for your quiet time, your activities, and your walk with God. You could also offer to do the same for them. If you are not sure who to ask, talk with your pastor for recommendations.

But your greatest help for living this life is God Himself. When you believed on Jesus, He sent His Spirit to live within your heart to guide you through this life. So He is with you always to comfort, guide, and even convict you when you get off track and do something you shouldn’t.

Just as your salvation required you to trust your eternity, your soul to God’s keeping, living your life here requires you to trust that God knows best. Trust His commands to be for your good always. And then simply obey. As best you can. Knowing that you are not alone!

And when you fail. And you will. Remember that God is gracious and will forgive you. Just confess to Him and ask Him! (1 John 1:9) And keep on going, serving your Saviour, assured that your sin cannot ever separate you from God’s love! (Romans 8:38-39)

God doesn’t promise us an easy life, but He does promise to be with us and to help us through it, as we follow and obey Him.

W stands for—Witness to others.

Now that you know the way to Heaven, God wants you to tell others so that they, too, can know! The easiest way to get started is to go tell someone who already knows Jesus. Go tell them about your decision to trust Jesus as your Saviour. Maybe that might be your parent, or grandparent, a brother or sister, a friend, or someone else who is close to you. Just tell someone today! They will be so excited for you! And I would love to rejoice with you, too. Just send me a message using the form above!

The next easiest way to witness to others about the way to Heaven is to go to church and talk to your pastor about your decision. He may talk with you about being baptized. Baptism doesn’t save you. It doesn’t wash away your sins. Baptism doesn’t have anything to do with your salvation. It is simply an act of obedience and a witness to others that you now belong to God.

Baptism is a picture of what Jesus did for us when He died on the cross. The word “baptize” means “to immerse in water.” When you stand with your pastor in the water, that pictures Jesus hanging on the cross dying for you. When you go under the water, that pictures Jesus’ burial. When you are raised up out of the water, that pictures Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and His victory over death and hell for you! Symbolically you are raised to walk in that victory in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)

As you grow in your knowledge of the Bible, you will learn what Bible verses are helpful in explaining to someone else how to be saved. But until then, you can always witness to others by simply telling them how you came to understand that you needed forgiveness and salvation. Tell them about Jesus and what He did for you by dying on the cross, and how you believed on His death and resurrection as your only hope of salvation from hell. Then tell them that they can, too!

God will be honored. And so pleased.

Blessings in the Lord,

Teresa