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New Believer – You’ve Called Out, Now What?

New Believer – You’ve Called Out, Now What?
By Dennis Huebshman

After consideration and thought, you’ve decided you want to accept the gift of Salvation offered by our Lord and Savior, Jesus. You might have heard an inspirational message, read an article that caught your attention, maybe a friend has come to Jesus and told you about it, or maybe you even attended a Gospel Rally; now what?

In order to better understand the emotion(s) you have experienced, a good beginning would be to start reading from the True Word of the Lord for yourself. Some will tell you that the King James Bible is the only acceptable one, but that simply isn’t so. Some new believers get frustrated by the King’s English, and will not continue in their study. The best Bible you can get is the one that is scripturally correct, and a translation you can understand. New King James may be a better choice, or maybe even the New American Standard. My preference is the New English Translation. I have read through several different translations, and this one is best for me.

Many times, the staff of a reputable Christian Book Store can show you what’s available, and help you choose one that you can read with understanding. No matter what version you decide on, make sure it’s a “study Bible”. The footnotes at the bottom of each page are invaluable.

You have a Bible; now where do you begin? Some would say to start with Genesis 1:1 and read all the way to the end of Revelation. My suggestion would be to start with the Book of John in the New Testament; followed by the Book of Romans. Don’t try to read it all at once, but just a chapter or two each day to get started. These two books should give you a baseline of who Jesus is and what it takes to be one of His. It’s really not that difficult.

When you start with just a chapter or two at a time, and be diligent in reading every day, you will soon develop a habit. Try to pick the same time where you will be able to read each day. After a few weeks, you will have made it a lifestyle, and it will be noticeable to you if you try to skip even one day. This method is how I started studying over 30 years ago, and actually started reading the Bible for the first time in my life. After a while, I found that what some people, including pastors, had told me was there, actually wasn’t. What I did find out was there were messages I needed, that had not been told to me. For example, Jesus isn’t impressed by “organized religion”, but wants a “relationship” with us. Also, it’s an individual thing, not part of a group or cult or trying to be saved by someone else’s efforts. That just won’t do.

After finishing John and Romans, you should have a better understanding of the meaning of what a relationship with Jesus consists of. After getting through Romans, I would go to the beginning of the New Testament (Matthew), and then read through those 27 books to the end. Then, you would be ready to go to Genesis 1:1, and read through the 39 books of the Old Testament, which gives the history leading up to the arrival of the Messiah. It will take time, so don’t rush through your daily readings.

Jesus spoke in Parables, stories that would illustrate topics He believed were most important, and in a way the people could understand. One Parable was about a sower of seeds. He spoke of a sower that put out seeds, and they fell on four different surfaces. One was a path, but they were stepped on, and the birds got them. Some fell on rocky soil, and they weren’t able to grow roots, so they did not flourish. Some fell among thorns, which choked them as they grew. Some fell on good soil, and they produced a whole lot more grain. (Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15)

Going back to the first paragraph, you are the seed that has been sown. How you respond is how you will grow, or not, in your relationship with the Lord. The seeds on the path heard the word of the Lord, but satan has a larger influence in their lives, and they don’t even try to begin to believe. It seems to be a bunch of nonsense. (1 Corinthians 1:18) The ones on the rocky soil heard the word, had an emotional high, but didn’t follow up, and shortly turned totally back to their old life without developing “roots” in their belief.

The seed that fell among thorns are the ones that hear and initially start to grow, but worries, riches and pleasures of this world overpower them, and they do not reach maturity. The good soil seeds are the ones that hear the word; continue to study the word; opens their hearts to a relationship with Jesus; and grows into a true relationship with the Savior. These “seeds” are now ready for the rapture, or leaving through death to be with the Savior forever. They reinforce their belief by talking to the Father (prayer) daily, and in a one-on-one manner, not by using any formal speech. Praying out loud or just in your mind doesn’t make a difference. God “hears” you either way. Just remember, it’s a personal conversation between you and your Father.

By the way, the word “Rapture” is not in the Bible, but is a concept found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-53. The word “Trinity” is not in the Bible either, and no one can fully explain it. It’s one God with three distinct entities – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Some say Jesus never claimed to be God, but John 10:30 says, “The Father and I are One.” In John 14;16-17;26, Jesus tells of an “Advocate” who is also called the Holy Spirit.

There are other words not in the Bible including “Bible”. When Jesus, Paul and others quoted scripture, they were referencing scrolls that had been passed down from generation to generation through Holy Spirit inspired men, chosen by God. The writings of the New Testament are also Holy Spirit inspired. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21). By the way, God our Father cannot lie. (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18) It should be noted, Jesus didn’t really need scrolls to quote scripture. He was there for each of its origins while He was still with the Father, before coming to earth.

Now we come to the point where you decide what “seed” you are. Hopefully, yours is in “fertile soil”, and the love of the Savior will grow within you. Becoming a true believer is not a passing fad or fancy, but is an “eternal” commitment.

The “cost” involved was covered in full by the blood of Jesus at Calvary. My sins and yours, are totally removed when we ask for His forgiveness, and confess we are sinners in need of His mercy and grace. (Romans 3:23) We know, without a doubt, we are lost without Him.

He left the comfort and glory of Heaven to come to earth as fully human, yet remained fully God. He led a sinless life so that He could be a spotless sacrifice that the Father would accept in our stead. We are the ones who deserve the punishment He endured, but He died on that Cross voluntarily and willingly. (John 10:18) When He declared, “It is Finished!” (John 19:30), He was saying that payment for all who would truly accept Him was complete. There is nothing more physically we can do to pay for, or earn this free gift, other than to accept it by Faith that it is true.

It’s only just and fitting that anyone who rejects the Savior’s free offer will be separated from Him forever (Revelation 20:11-15). Those who do accept Him will have the Holy Spirit live within them to show we are truly His. Our Heavenly father is the only true God, and unlike other so-called deities, He wants us to be with Him forever. What He asks of us is not mysterious or difficult. The hard part is believing it’s true that by accepting His Son, Jesus, we are His with no strings attached.

One more point to make, just because a believer slips and sins, does not mean they are lost, or have fallen out of grace with the Father. All true believers will slip and sin while on this earth; however, we have a pathway for the forgiveness of our sins as described in 1 John 1:8-10. We will not be totally sin-free until we are in our eternal, immortal bodies in Heaven.

We have no real indication of the day, hour or minute the Savior will call His Church Home (Rapture). However, true believers don’t worry about this as our destiny is with Him when He does call.

For those who have not accepted Jesus when they take their last breath on this earth, their destiny is also set, but in the Lake of Fire forever. There is no other choice available. False prophets (preachers, priests, etc. that do not teach the word) may tell you there are “many ways to heaven”, but this is a satanic lie. Jesus made it perfectly clear in John 14:6 that He’s the only way to the Father.

Joshua 24:15 says to choose “this day” whom you will serve. It applies today as well. To accept this world and what it offers, is to reject Jesus. This does not mean we cannot enjoy all that the Father has provided for us, but nothing of this earth is to be worshiped except Him. We just need to remember, He has provided all our needs, and we should thank Him for them daily. The time for harvest is coming soon, and you need to decide which “soil” you will base your eternity on. Accepting the “fertile soil”, which is Jesus the Christ, would be the best decision you will ever make.

Shalom Aleclem! (Peace be with You)

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