Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. - Jude 1:21
Encouragement for New Christians
YOUR HOME IS NOW IN HEAVEN
Welcome to God’s glorious kingdom where your forever home is waiting for you. You have made such a perfect choice to ask Jesus into your heart, and to be saved for eternity! The Lord Jesus Christ has set you aside as someone special; you were a sheep that was lost, and have now been found.
Now that you have accepted Christ into your heart, and confessed him with your mouth, let’s look at Luke 15:6 and read about God’s joy in your decision:
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
What Now?
1. If you haven't found a church already, then finding the right church for you is important. What's most important is that you choose a true bible-believing and preaching church.
2. Tell your pastor that you would like to be baptized. Believer’s baptism is a commandment of Christ. There's no greater joy for a pastor than to baptize a Christian believer!
3. Confess all sins privately to Jesus. Just find a quiet place and try to confess everything you can think of from your past. Ask Jesus to remind you of any sins you have forgotten.
4. Consider now which road you’re going to walk on: You are a new creation in Christ; you have new opportunities ahead! Christ has set you aside as his own, and your mission field is wide open. Pray, and ask God how He would use you for His ministry.
5. Fellowship with other Christians and spend quality time with them. Join Bible studies or whatever type of devotional activity is available through your church.
In the book of Luke, chapter 15, Jesus tells three separate parables on the topic of what was once lost, and is now found. As a new Christian, you too were once lost, but have now been found. In his third parable of the lost son, take a look at what it says about your new salvation:
Luke 15: 6-7
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
In Jesus’ parable of the lost son, the father in the story is Jesus himself. When the son returned to his father broken and humbled, asking for forgiveness, he received even more. Our father always forgives, and welcomes us in the manner described here in Luke 15:21-24:
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
How Do I Know For Sure that I'm really Saved?
Many Christians—both new and old—struggle with this question: "how can I be sure I really am saved?" The following verses are in the Bible to reassure you that you have salvation. If you truly believe in Jesus Christ, and that he died for your sins, then here are your promises of salvation:
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
Take a close look at that very last part: "thou shalt be saved". It follows the word "believe".
"If you believe in God you will have eternal life." It's broken down right here in one easy verse! And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. — John 14:3
This is one of my favorite salvation assurance scriptures in the Bible. If he's not going to come back for you and take you to heaven where he is, then why is he preparing a place for you? Just think about it; there's rock solid proof of salvation right there!
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