2M. Supporting a New Christian

When an individual makes a real commitment to follow Christ, it is just as if he or she were setting out on a journey. It is the evangelist's responsibility to tell that person what he or she will need on route. You might call these the necessities of the Christian Life. Like our physical being our spiritual nature needs sustenance too."

Daily Food

Peter wrote, "Be like new born babies, always thirsty for the pure spiritual milk, so that by drinking it you may grow up and be saved. As the Scripture says, `You have found out for yourselves how kind the Lord is'" (1 Peter 2:2,3). Go to the Word of God, the Bible, and read it every day. Meditate upon it and ask God to speak to you through it. Beware of haphazardly picking at the Bible. Remember the story of the person who worked this way. The first verse he landed upon said, "Then, Judas went and hanged himself!" "That can't be the guidance I need," he said to himself and flicked the pages to another spot. "Go, and do thou likewise," it said to his horror! You may like to use Bible reading notes, a teaching cassette or a good book. The Word of God will nourish you and refresh you daily as you read it.

Fresh Air

Luke wrote, "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never be discouraged" (Luke 18:1).Our Saviour wants us always to be talking to Him and to never get down in the mouth. Prayer should be our habit wherever we are and whatever we're doing. Let it not be just petition, asking for those needful things, but also praise and thankfulness for His gifts. In the office, at home or school, when you're out jogging, wherever you are let prayer and praise spontaneously come to your lips and arise in your heart. "Prayer enlarges the heart," wrote Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She added, "Ask and seek and your heart will grow big enough to receive him and keep him as your own." Shoot arrows of prayer to God and at those around you as you go along. Be outgoing with your prayer!

Exercise

Don't be an onlooker, but be active as a Christian. Jesus said, "And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34). Care for those around you and show it in your actions. Witness to them about Christ. Tell a member of your family of your newfound faith. "Never close your lips to those to whom you have opened your heart." (13)

Rest

"Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light" (Matthew 11:29,30). Practice relying on God in simple faith at all times. Trust Him in all circumstances and you will experience His peace. He will wash you and refresh You continuously with His living water. "Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."

Clean Surroundings

"Do not be fooled," writes Paul, "Bad companions ruin good character" (I Corinthians 15:33).Keep away from those who would pull you down. Avoid those places where you would be tempted to sin. Stop buying those magazines which give you filthy thoughts, and don't watch those films or television shows which degrade women or undermine moral standards. Stop subscribing to those pay T. V. channels which show pornographic material. Instead, seek out people of good repute who, like yourself, love the Lord. It's like the person who kept her money in her Bible. "It's a good place to hide things," she said. "The ones who do open the Bible wouldn't steal from it, and the ones who would steal never open it." In your home, if you have a leadership role, insist that swearing cease. Instil your Christian standards into your children by example and ask for their cooperation in the maintenance of them. Turn over a new leaf.

Loving Care

"If we live in the light - just as he is in the light - then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin" (1 John 1:7). Find a church home if you do not have one or look for one where the Gospel is faithfully preached. Give the fellowship your all, honour your pastor or priest with your support and prayers. Learn to truly share with those in need in the fellowship. Do the work of the evangelist in leading others to your church and to your Lord.

Periodic Checkups

"So then, everyone should examine himself first, and then eat the bread and drink from the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28). It helps us all to attend Holy Communion on a regular basis. Make a confession of your sins to God and a clean break with them before you partake. Be sure to be reconciled with any you may have wronged or may have hurt you before you have fellowship around the Lord's Table. "Hold your life before you - The empty bowl lift up, Let God pour beauty in it And fill the brimming cup." (Bess Foster Smith) If attention is paid to all these things, then growth is assured. "May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give to all Christian brothers (and sisters) peace and love with faith. May God's grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love" (Ephesians 6:23,24).

"Practical Christian Outreach in the Local Church"

^ top of page | next | previous