January 7, 2024
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (NRSV)
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.” Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (NRSV).
What do you need to do NEW in 2024? If you are a new Believer in Christ welcome to the family of God. No matter your age you are a ‘newborn babe’ in Christ!
Thinking of a newborn, I am reminded of the time when I was a young nurse in my late 20s working in Texas in a small private hospital with a small obstetrical wing. As the midnight supervisor assisting in the monitoring of the labor of a mother who progressed faster than anticipated and YES, I delivered the baby as the physician did not arrive at the hospital in time. This was an experience I will never forget! I share this story in the first chapter of my book “Every Beat of My Heart”
The word Believer in the New Testament is used for a person who is convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, and the author of Salvation. The Greek word usually translated as “Believer” or “believing” carries the idea of faithfulness and loyalty as noted in John 20:27; Acts 16:1; and 2 Corinthians 6:15. They are those who have received the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God into their hearts, resulting in a new creation as noted in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (NRSV) A Believer is one who faithfully trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ.
As a newborn babe in Christ, you must grow and continue to grow in the faith, in wisdom, and in holiness to become more and more like Jesus! A Believer in Christ does more than hear Jesus’ words and accept what He said about God; a Believer allows the information to change him or her as in John 2:23–24. Saving faith is more than mental acceptance of the facts regarding Christ; it involves repentance and absolute commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. True Believers hear the Word of God, believe it in their hearts, and recognize the value of the message to the degree that they take up their crosses to follow Jesus as recorded in Luke 9:23; 14:26–33.
What is the Key to Growing as a New Believer?
As a newborn baby must continue to grow after birth, so must new believers continue to grow in faith, in wisdom, and in holiness to become more like Jesus, 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” If a baby does not grow after it is born, something is wrong. We grow at different rates and in different ways. Just like the newborn must grow, you are to grow in grace and knowledge of your Savior Jesus Christ! Growth is evidence of life!
Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3 that he “must be born again” to see the kingdom of God. He was using a metaphor that we all understand. Jesus was referring to being born of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God moves into our hearts and begins to change us from the inside out. Babies don’t strain to grow every day. They grow because they are alive.
What does Growing in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as a Believer In Christ look like?
When we are born of the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, growing as a new Believer is not eventually a matter of changing outward behaviors, it is a work of the Spirit on the inside and He begins to transform our thoughts, our attitudes, our desires, and our perspective to be more like Christ. Growth is not brought about by a fleshly effort to clean up our act. The Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts causes us to want to pursue godliness and to live holy lives.
An important key to growing as a new Believer is recognizing the importance of God’s Word in this new life of faith. Just as the regular intake of milk is critical for a baby’s growth and development, so God’s Word is critical for new Believers. “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” referenced in 1 Peter 2:2.
Believers who are continually surrendering more and more areas of their lives to the obedience of Christ will let go of their right to control things. Practicing obedience also helps new Believers grow and creates healthy behavior patterns. Before we knew Jesus, we did what we wanted to do according to our fleshly lusts and passions referenced in 1 Peter 1:14. We obeyed our flesh. Learning to crucify that flesh and live according to the Spirit is a crucial part of living the life of a true Believer, as noted in Ephesians 5:16, 25. The Scriptures refer to this as “walking by the Spirit.”
Another important step in growing as a new Believer is guarding what we allow into our minds and hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” When we surrender our lives to Christ, we become citizens of another kingdom. The closer our walk with God, the more we will feel like “strangers and pilgrims” here on earth as in 1 Peter 2:11. Our appetites begin to change; we evaluate our entertainment choices, our friendships, our habits, and our thought lives, asking the question, “Does this lift my heart up in praise to God or pull me down into worldliness?” In growing as a new believer, we saturate our lives with worship, praise, prayer, Scripture, godly relationships, purity, and wholesome entertainment in Philippians 4:8.
What Is The Marks of a True Believer? The True Believer in Christ is Marked by CHRISTLIKE LIVING.
The Apostle Paul offers a strategy to assist us as Believers In Christ to live for God each and every day!
Paul offers some HELP in Chapter 3 of Colossians. He says to:
~ imitate Christ’s merciful, forgiving attitude – vs 12-13
~ let love guide your life – vs 3:14
~ let the peace of Christ rule in your heart – vs 3:15
~ always be thankful – vs 3:15
~ keep God’s Word in you at all times – vs 3:16
~ live as Jesus Christ’s representative – vs 3:17
We must do everything “as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ” which means bringing honor to the name of Jesus Christ in every aspect and activity of daily living. As a Christian, you represent Christ at all times, wherever you go, and whatever you say.
What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with you? What changes would you make in your life to honor Christ?
Christians should live in peace. This does not eliminate all differences in opinion, but loving Christians will work together despite their differences. Such love is not a feeling, but a decision to meet others’ needs. This commitment to others leads to peace between individuals and among the members of the body of Believers. Do problems in your relationships with other Christians cause open conflicts or mutual silence? Consider what you can do to heal those relationships with love.
A true Believer in Christ does not have to open his or her mouth! They will look like who they represent. They are marked by how they treat others.
In the Body of Christ, the Christian church should have no barriers of nationality, race, education, social standing, wealth, gender, religion, or power. Christians should never erect walls or make an effort to cause division or clicks. We should build bridges, not walls. Christ breaks down all barriers and accepts all people who come to HIM! Nothing should keep us from telling others about Christ or accepting all into the family of Believers, the Body of Christ into the fellowship of all Believers. The Word of God in Ephesians 2:14-16 says “For he is our peace; in his flesh, he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.” (NRSV)
There are many thought patterns to replace, attitudes to reform, and behaviors to alter as an ungodly sinner becomes a holy saint. Romans 12:1–2 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Our minds are renewed as we allow God’s truth to replace the world’s lies. That continual renewal produces spiritual growth.
Practicing obedience also helps new believers grow and creates healthy behavior patterns. Before we knew Jesus, we did what we wanted to do according to our fleshly lusts and passions, 1 Peter 1:14. We obeyed our flesh. Learning to crucify that flesh and live according to the Spirit is a crucial part of living as a Christian in Ephesians 5:16, 25. The Bible calls this “walking by the Spirit.” Growing believers continually surrender more and more areas of their lives to the obedience of Christ and let go of their right to control things.
Another important step in growing as a New Believer is guarding what we allow into our minds and hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” When we surrender our lives to Christ, we become citizens of another kingdom. The closer our walk with God, the more we will feel like “strangers and pilgrims” here on earth 1 Peter 2:11. Our appetites begin to change; we evaluate our entertainment choices, our friendships, our habits, and our thought lives, asking, “Does this lift my heart up in praise to God or pull me down into worldliness?” In growing as a New Believer, we saturate our lives with worship, praise, prayer, Scripture, godly relationships, purity, and wholesome entertainment in Philippians 4:8.
HEART 
CHALLENGE: Growing as believers in Christ is a lifelong process. You can never reach the place where we can say, “I have arrived. I no longer need to grow.” As much as I love the life of the Apostle Paul, he never considered himself to have “arrived. He says in Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (NRSV) Growing in wisdom and maturity keeps us working in harmony with God’s plan for our lives. And we learn that the more we know of God, the more there is to know.
AN NEW 
HEART: There are many thought patterns to replace, attitudes to reform, and behaviors to alter as an ungodly sinner becomes a holy saint. Romans 12:1–2 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Our minds are renewed as we allow God’s truth to replace the world’s lies. That continual renewal produces spiritual growth.
FATHER GOD, Thank You for Your Word that provides us clear instructions on how to live and grow as a new Believer in Christ. Help us to live by Your Word because eternity is too long to be wrong! Thank you for the precious gift of Salvation, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen