What do I do now that I've accepted Jesus?

In order to grow in your relationship with God:

• Get a Bible, and study it!
  The Bible is calls itself the "Word of God". It also calls Jesus the "Word of God" (John 1:1,14)! So in some way that it's hard for us to understand, the Bible and Jesus Himself are synonomous. For that reason it is essential for a Christian to spend time reading the Bible and learning everything he or she can about it. Not only does the Bible contain information about what we should and should not do, but it contains clues as to the true nature and personality of God Himself! If you want to know more about the Lord, that's your place to go. Which is not to say that there aren't other books that will be just as helpful to you; just make sure the authors that you are reading are people who truly believe the Word of God and understand that it isn't something that you understand wholly with your mind; you understand it by the power of and with the understanding of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). My pastor's name is Bob Yandian; he is a well-known author of books that you could read to learn more about God. Another author you could look for is Kenneth Hagin; actually Kenneth E. Hagin and Kenneth Hagin Jr. have both written many books about the Bible that are simple to read and understand. There are many, many others, but those are a few of my favorites.
• Get into a church that teaches the Bible. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
  Not just any old church will do! You have to find one where the most important thing to them is what the Bible says, instead of, say, the church's image in the community or having their services on television. I don't have a problem with a church having a good reputation, and I think church TV broadcasts are terrific (I used to work for a church in that ministry, in fact), but the thing of greatest importance is that people learn about the Word of God. Chances are that there are a number of good churches in your town; look around until you find one where you feel comfortable that you are learning about God.
• Pray every day (I Thessalonians 5:17-18), and spend time worshipping God (Hebrews 12:28)
  Some people might put these things in separate categories. I see them as two parts of the same thing... communicating with God! In fact, worship is really nothing more than one type of prayer. Make sure you spend time talking to God, just like you spend time talking to the people you love. Part of talking to a loved one might be asking them to help you with something; that's the kind of prayer most people are most familiar with, and God wants us to depend on Him and ask Him for things (Philippians 4:6)! But that's not the only kind of prayer... not by a long shot! When you love someone, you also spend time telling them you love them, and telling them what they mean to you. That's what "worship" means... telling God what He means to you and why you love Him. Another part of that is to thank Him for all of the blessings He provides; and it's easy to do that, because He has provided everything (James 1:17)! If you're having trouble getting started, think of these things that God has probably provided for you:
  • salvation from Hell
  • freedom from sin
  • the first breath you took this morning, and every breath thereafter
  • the bed you woke up in
  • the home you live in
  • the food you ate for breakfast
  • your loved ones
  That's just a starting point. The Bible says that every good gift is from God (James 1:17)! So let's thank Him for them!
• Share your experience with others
  It is very important that you let other people know what God has done for you. That might mean telling them about your salvation experience. It might mean telling them about how the Lord made it possible for you to get a better car, or make peace with a relative who has been angry with you for years, or shake the flu, or anything He does for you! Be careful, though... if you come on too strong with someone who doesn't believe in Jesus, sometimes you can turn them off to Him. You wouldn't want to be the person who pushed someone so hard that they actually turned away from God! Don't share Jesus in order to make people become Christians if they say they don't want to. Instead, let them see the life you are living in holiness before God, and share occasionally when the Holy Spirit leads you to. The important thing is that in all instances, God gets the glory for the good things that happen in your life!
• Friends
  It is very possible that your life in Jesus may alienate you from some people who are your friends, but who do not share your belief in Jesus as savior. It is always painful to lose a friend, but it might be that that is what is required for you to truly live the life that has been given to you (Matthew 19:29). Hopefully that won't happen, but even if all of your old friends still want your company, you need to meet some new people too. Why? Because as part of God's family, now every Christian is your brother or sister! You need your brothers and sisters to be there to help you when you have trouble, and to discuss the Word of God with, and just to be a good influence on you. That's part of the reason God commands us to become a part of a church; there's no better place to go to meet brothers and sisters in Christ than a place that is set aside for them to gather!
• ...It also might be that you are forced to break a relationship with someone... whether platonic or romantic... that is not pleasing to God. Again, it's no fun to lose someone, and it's even less fun to have to break a relationship... but if that person is causing you to drift away from Him, isn't it worth it to lose one friend, but keep your relationship with Jesus?
• Get Involved!
  Not only should you attend a church... you need to get involved in a church. That means you need to give money to help that church keep the doors open (the Bible says that ten percent of your income belongs to God by default (Malachi 3:8,10), and after that extra offerings are a part of your worship of Him) as well as becoming a part of church programs. Get into Sunday School! If your church has a program where food is distributed to needy families, do that! Join the choir! Look for something in the church to become a part of. Not only will it help you to meet even more brothers and sisters in Christ, but it will give you a chance to give of yourself.
• Baptism of the Holy Spirit
  This has been a somewhat controversial subject in some churches... but anyone who has experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit can tell you that it has changed their lives as Christians. Read this page to find out more about it.

written January 11, 1997
©Copyright 1997 by Michael Jones
All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations drawn from The Bible Gateway at Gospel Communications Network.

more of my writings about God
index to my essays on the Web

Footnotes:

Scriptures Referenced:

• In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  ...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us...
  John 1:1,14a NIV
• [Jesus said:] But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
  John 14:26 NIV
• Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
  Hebrews 10:25 NIV
• ...pray continually;
  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
  I Thessalonians 5:17-18 NIV
• Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe...
  Hebrews 12:28 NIV
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
  Philippians 4:6 NIV
• Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
  James 1:17 NIV
• And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
  Matthew 19:29 NIV
• "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
  "But you ask, `How do we rob you?'
  "In tithes and offerings."
  Malachi 3:8 NIV
• I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
  Philippians 4:13

One last thing: