This is a simple manual written to help you answer questions you will probably encounter as you begin your new walk with Christ. It is not to bombard or overwhelm you with a lot of information. It is to be used as a quick reference tool to help make your transition as smooth as possible. As you read it along with your bible daily, my prayer is that the Word of God will come alive to you and cause you to grow strong in the Lord and in the power of His Might!
I'm Saved, Now What?
A Must Have Manual for Every New ConvertBy Dr. Barbara D. EasonAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Dr. Barbara Eason
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4520-2734-0Contents
Foreword............................................................................................xiChapter I: The New Birth Experience.................................................................1Chapter II: What Comes Next?........................................................................11Chapter III: Maintaining a Personal and Intimate Relationship with Jesus Christ.....................19Chapter IV: Holiness-It's What God Requires.........................................................29Chapter V: Questions Frequently Asked by New Converts...............................................35Definitions.........................................................................................43Closing Remarks.....................................................................................47
Chapter One
The New Birth Experience
Generate Man -Created in the image of God and placed in a perfect environment. God said in Genesis 1:26 (KJV), "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Degenerate Man -Fallen from grace, sin entered and a spiritual death took place. "The Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die'" (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). Regenerate Man -Sinful man needed a way back to God. By accepting Jesus Christ as the atonement for your sin, asking Him to come into your heart and reign over your life, He became the bridge that connected you back to God the Father. "But this one man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down on the right hand of God: From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:12-14 KJV). "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 KJV).
The Holy Spirit inspired me to write this manual to assist you in making the transition from your old way of life into your new walk with Jesus Christ. Those of you who read this manual will find that the answers to our questions are simple and easy to understand, and they can be found in your King James Version of the Holy Bible. You are encouraged to search the Holy Scriptures daily, because in them, you have life.
How Did I Become a Sinner?
That is one of the first questions asked by most new converts. They believe that they are morally good if they don't use vile language, smoke, use drugs, drink alcohol, commit fornication or adultery, or lie, among other things, and that they are not in danger of going to hell. That is one of the biggest misconceptions dispatched by Satan. And if the truth is not made known, they die and go to an everlasting, ever-burning lake of fire (Revelation 21:14).
The good news is that sin did not start with you. It started with Adam and Eve. Man was created perfect in the image of God. Unlike nature and the universe, which was created to obey God's every command, man was given the seed of choice, thus a free will. This is known as generate man. Along with the free will that was given to man came some specific instructions. Genesis 2:16-17, "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die.'" Sin brought separation (spiritual death) between a holy God and His creation.
Genesis 3:6-7 reads, "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked." This is known as degenerate man. He had deliberately chosen to disobey the direct command from God, and thus, fellowship with God was broken.
Because of this act of disobedience by Adam and Eve, we were all born into sin. "Behold, I was shaped in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5). So no matter how earthly good we were, "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6 KJV). Because of this, we were all in desperate need of redemption. We needed a savior to put us back in right standing with God, to repair the broken breach, or pay the sin debt created by Adam and Eve. Jesus would bridge the gap between the Holy God and unholy humanity. We needed salvation.
What Is Salvation, and Why Do I Need It?
Salvation is the saving of a person from sin or its consequences in the life after death; saving from danger or evil (Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th ed., p. 463). In Hebrew, it is deliverance, victory, help, health, liberty, prosperity, and safety (Strong's, Strongest Concordance, p. 38). In Greek, it is translated to mean defender or defense, rescuer or safety; Christ or God (Strong's, p. 88).
You need salvation because Satan is deceiving people into believing that they can have salvation apart from Jesus Christ. His method is to make them think that as long as they have good moral values, they are okay. His concept is this: "I'm a relatively good person. I don't hurt nobody. I live a better life than some of the people going to church. I don't drink or smoke. I don't have sex outside of marriage. Like I say, I'm a good person." Wrong! It does not matter how good you think you are living. There is absolutely no salvation without Jesus Christ. The Bible clearly tells us in Hebrews 9:22 (KJV), "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin." Good morals and values do not get you into heaven; Jesus Christ is the only ticket to heaven. In John 14:6 (KJV), it says, "Jesus said unto them, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.'" Therefore, contrary to anything else that is taught, there is no other way to heaven except through the Man, Jesus Christ!
Because we were born into sin, and no matter how earthly good we are, without the blood atonement of Jesus Christ and His imputed righteousness, our righteousness just doesn't measure up. The Bible is very clear about that, "Our righteousness is a filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Romans 3:23 tells us, "We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God." But don't feel bad; it had nothing to do with you. Remember, it started with Adam and Eve, back in the Garden of Eden. That is why we need salvation to restore us into a right relationship with God. And the only way to do that is to confess the Lord Jesus Christ with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. There is no other way to get back to God. Remember what you just read: Jesus said, "'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; and no man cometh unto the Father but by Me'" (John 14:6).
How Do I Get Saved or Accept Jesus Christ as My Personal Lord and Savior?
It's simple. The Bible tells us in Romans 10:9, "If thou shall 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." Revelation 3:20 says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, If any man hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with Me." Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace are we saved through faith." It's just that simple.
So once you acknowledge that you are a sinner, make your confession, open the door of your heart and invite Jesus Christ to come into your heart, you are saved! And the purpose of this book is to let you know that it does not end at the altar! It is just the beginning of your newfound relationship with God the Father. Dr. Eason-Wellman and I encourage you to surround yourself with other born-again believers who are strong in the Lord and chasing hard after God. This is so important to recent converts. Be sure to attend your local Bible study and worship services.
Remember, being born again does not free us from trials or tests. Satan will launch attacks against you now more than ever, because you are now out of his grasp and he wants to get you back. So stay prayerful and read your Bible every day!
The Penalty of Sin
In Romans 6:23, Paul clearly states, "The wages of sin is death." Wages are what you receive for the work that you do. In this case, it refers to the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21 gives us a vivid list: "'Now the works of the flesh are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. These works will keep you spiritually dead and cause you to be separated from God if you do not overcome them.'"
The apostle Paul reminds us in his second letter to Timothy 2:19, "Let everyone that names the name of Christ, depart from iniquity." It is possible to remove yourself from sinful situations. Romans 6:14 lets us know, "Sin shall not have dominion [power] over you." As you continue your walk with Christ, and your fellowship with Him increases, you will notice that you will have less desire for the things that are contrary to His will. Your utmost desire will be to be found in His presence, pleasing Him.
For those who continue to walk in the ways of sinful and lustful desires, the book of Revelation declares in 21:8, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and the murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
I encourage all new converts to be diligent in attending Bible study, prayer meetings, and Sunday morning worship services. Surround yourself with people who love God and are seeking to go higher in Him. Don't be found in groups filled with gossip, talebearing, and lots of foolishness. These things will hinder your spiritual growth. Dare to be different.
One of Satan's main strategies is to keep you busy. He doesn't even care if you go to church as long as you are so tired when you get to church you are unable to pay attention. It's okay to be involved in activities with your local church, but don't get so bogged down with activities and forget to reserve personal, alone time with the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as you make hair, nail, and doctor appointments, make appointments to be with Jesus, to study your word, and to have intercessory prayer. I can tell you from experience, it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the day and omit praying and spending time alone with Jesus! I've been there. And if you miss one service, whether it is Bible study, worship service, or prayer, Satan will give you a thousand reasons why you should miss another and another and another.
Every step of the way, he is going to tell you that you made a mistake in choosing to serve God. He's going to tell you that it doesn't take that much fasting and praying. He's going to say you are too young or too old to serve God. He is going to say you still have time. He is going to say serving God is boring. He is going to tell you not to tithe and give offerings to your local church. He is going to make accusations against your brothers and sisters in Christ. None of his strategies are new: he uses the same ones against everybody. His plan is to divide and conquer. He is going to try relentlessly to win you back. Don't listen to him, because he is a deceiver. Revelation 20:10 says, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone ... and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." John 8:44 says, "Ye are of your father the devil ... he was a murderer from the beginning ... and he abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speak a lie, he speak of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it." So you see, anything the devil tells you is a lie. He will never tell you the truth, because he can't. Did you notice how Jesus is total truth and Satan is a total liar? They are extreme opposites.
Your Responsibility Toward God
Your responsibility toward God is found in Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech [plead with you] therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
You may ask, "What does it mean to present my body as a living sacrifice unto the Lord? I thought Jesus died and became the sacrifice for us." That's true. Jesus did become the sacrificial Lamb for us, to redeem us from the curse of the law (Genesis 3:13-14). However, as Christians, we become partakers of his suffering, and it is our duty as ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20) to live a life of total surrender and self-denial. You must die to things of the world in order for Christ to be seen in and through us. "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20). There will be things from your old nature that will try to draw you back to your old lifestyle, but you must hold fast to the Word of God and remember that you are a new creature in Christ Jesus! Your body is now the temple of God Most High.
Hebrews 10:1-14 reveals how Jesus gave Himself willingly for us. A sacrifice comes with a price; it always costs you something. Salvation is a free gift, but to manifest the pure anointing of God, you must pay by
living a life sold out to Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is imperative that each individual count the cost before they take on the name of Jesus.
What Does It Mean to Renew My Mind, and How Is It Done?
Renew means to do over again or bring back to a good condition. It also means to begin again. This subject is very dear to me and close to my heart. It is one of the primary reasons this book was written. When I first started to pastor, I had a lot to learn. I would study the Word of God for hours on end. Sunday mornings would come, and I would go to church and preach what I thought was a "good word." I would prepare the Bible study lessons, assuming they were plain and simple and anyone could understand them because I could.
One Sunday, after I had preached on renewing the mind, one of my nephews, Shannon, who is also a member of the church, came to me and said, "Pastor, I don't have a problem with renewing my mind, but I don't know how." I said, "But I just got finished ministering on the subject. What do you mean you don't understand?" He said, "You told us that we needed to renew our minds, and that we needed to do it on a daily basis, but you never told us how to renew our minds." That got my attention! I realized that as leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that the Word of God is plain and simple, so that everyone understands what we are talking about. We are never to assume anything when it comes to people's souls.
This is the illustration I use to explain what it means to renew your mind. Almost everyone knows what a cassette tape is. So, we start with a blank tape. Before we were converted, we recorded secular music on that tape. We enjoyed listening to R&B, hip-hop, and jazz. Now we have been introduced to Jesus Christ. His Word tells us to be holy and not conform to the things of this world. So, we put the tape into the cassette recorder, hit the rewind button, and on that same tape, we record gospel, praise, and worship music. We just renewed the tape. We have the same tape; we are just listening to different music on it.
Renewing your mind is accomplished pretty much in the same way. Before conversion, you watched certain things on television, you may have read certain kinds of books, engaged in certain types of conversations, went to clubs, listened to worldly music, and participated in other worldly activities and things that are contrary to the Word of God. When you gave your life to Christ, you change the way you walk, talk, act, and think. Why? Because I Corinthians 10:21 says, "You can not drink of the Lord's cup and the cup of devils, you can not be partakers of the Lord's table and the table of devils." Solomon tells us in Proverbs 23:7, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he."
And last, we have the example of Moses. He was raised in Pharaoh's house. He had privilege and authority. But he also had compassion for his Jewish family. He fled from Egypt after killing an Egyptian for beating one of the Jews. While he was there, God visited him, telling him he was to be the deliverer of the Jews.
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Excerpted from I'm Saved, Now What?by Dr. Barbara D. Eason Copyright © 2010 by Dr. Barbara Eason. Excerpted by permission.
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