What happened After I Gave My Life to Christ
Happy March and God bless!
So...you may think that after I gave my life to Christ, everything just became entirely wonderful and happy. Easy-breezy, lemon squeezy, and that I'm living happily ever after. WRONG.
It is true that God saved me. He intervened when I was at my lowest and darkest point in life. He gave me a Heavenly hug and I finally felt His amazing love for me. He accepted, understood, and comforted me. He picked up the million pieces of my broken heart and began the process of mending it together, to be whole again. I knew there was a brighter future for me, and I tasted His grace, mercy, love, kindness, and forgiveness. But He didn't take all my problems away the second I asked Jesus to come into my heart. No. Instead, He gave me hope and I had this knowing that He'd never leave me or forsake me(Deuteronomy 31:6).
I don't know if some of you have figured this out yet, but being a Follower of Christ is tough; a few things it requires is work, faith, humility, and presents even more challenges than not being a follower of Christ. My intention is not to scare you, but I want to be frank. I want to be honest with you all. Everything isn't always easy or wonderful after becoming a Christian. But I can say that my hardest day with God is better than a great day without Him. We have a real friend in Him, and we are not without help. He has sent his Holy Spirit to help us (John 14:26).
There are other reasons my walk is hard. I can no longer say that I don't know what God expects of me, or that I don't know the difference between right or wrong. I've felt His mercy and grace; I've read the Bible and I know what He expects of me. I know the ten commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). I know that I ought to love the LORD with all my heart, and then I ought to love my neighbor as myself (Luke 10:27). When you know these things, you have to change. You can't go on acting like you've never accepted Christ. The Bible says of new believers if anyone is in Christ, the old is gone and the new is here (2 Cornithians 5:7). This means we need to change and be transformed.
Let me give you an example of one of my struggles. When I was extremely angry at my husband for hurting me, I threatened him and said, "You are so lucky I fear God or else..." Not the most Christian thing to say, right? Well, what I mean is...sometimes I have such a strong urge to hurt people the way they hurt me, to put them in their place, or to say some unforgivable things. To make them sorry that they ever hurt, took advantage of, or wronged me...to repay them for their evil deeds...but I don't. I don't because I fear God (in a healthy way) and because those sinful actions will eventually bring me to my knees, apologizing to our Heavenly Father God for displeasing Him.
And not only that, I will probably have to apologize to the person who initially hurt me. See, that's the way God works. I don't have the excuse that "I didn't know". Luke 12:48 says But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Repaying evil for evil just doesn't fly when you've been following Christ.
Furthermore, I know that I have eternal life; I have the assurance that I am forgiven when I apologize and repent of my sins. But that doesn't mean that I can go on sinning because I know that He's merciful or that He'll forgive me over and over. Absolutely not. Read Romans 6. It tells us that we shouldn't sin because of what we now know. I hate to say this but it's almost easier not being a Christian. Children of God are held at a higher standard because Jesus Christ is our example, and to follow him, we must imitate him. We cannot stay the same.
But we can't do this alone. We've been given the Holy Spirit and we need to let the Holy Spirit lead us. Praying is also important and we also need to make it a priority to read the Bible. Romans 12:2 says we are renewed and transformed by scripture. You may say you can't hear God or that He doesn't speak to you, but I can bet that you aren't reading His Word. You need to read the Bible. It is our Life's manual and is filled with love letters from God as well as what we should and shouldn't do. We were made to communicate with God and your spirit longs to. Sin separates us from God, but through Jesus Christ, we can have fellowship with Him. Christ died for us to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Take advantage of this wonderful blessing.
*If you have not yet accepted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior and would like to, please read the Sinner's Prayer below out loud and believe.
Father God, I confess that I have broken your laws and sinned against you. These sins of mine have separated me from you. and I am truly sorry. Now I want to turn away from this sinful life and turn toward You. Please forgive me, show me the errors of my ways, and help me. I believe that your son Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. I know that Jesus is alive and that You hear my prayers. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do what you want me to do. Let Your Will be done. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the Family of God. There are many resources for new Christians. I first recommend that you find a local church in your area, and I'm sure they will be able to help you in your new Christian walk.
Let us Pray.
Heavenly Father, Lord Almighty.
Thank you for all those beautiful people reading. If they have not yet accepted you I pray that You would continue to work within their hearts and show them your truth and goodness. For those who have accepted you, please send them men and women of God to walk besides them and encourage them in their walk. Strengthen them and keep them from the enemy and firm in your hand (John 10:28). Let them also be a living testimony to the World of your great love and power.
Help us to continue to walk with Christ, no matter how hard it becomes, no matter what life throws our way. Your Word says that patience produces perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:4). Show us what you're trying to teach us and help us to not lose hope. Regardless if those reading are just finding out about you or if they've walked with you for years, give them courage to continue their walk and understanding so they will know Your Will for them. Keep their paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). Your Word also says "we are not ignorant of the schemes of Satan" (2 Corinthians 2:11) so help us to recognize his attacks and to overcome.
We are children of God and the enemy has no right or authority over us, but we have been given power and authority to trample upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy who shall by no means harm us (Luke 10:19). Our Christian walk may not always be easy, but it is possible because Christ is the victor and we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us (Romans 8:37). Lead us Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord.
In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
